Jazz Articles about Various Artists

Various Artists: Gospel for JFP III: Tribute to Jaco Pastorius

by John Kelman
June 17, 2005

In his relatively short life, John Francis “Jaco Pastorius III not only revolutionized the role of the electric bass, he contributed a small but resonant body of composed work that remains influential to this day. Pastorius is best known for his work with Weather Report and his own Word of Mouth band. The tragedy of mental illness and related substance abuse that would lead to his death at the age of 36 does nothing to diminish the importance of his ...

Columbia Small Group Swing Sessions (1953-62)

by George Harris
June 13, 2005

Various Artists Columbia Small Group Swing Sessions (1953-62) Mosaic Records 2005

The joy, camaraderie and enthusiasm reflected on Mosaic's Columbia Small Group Swing Sessions (1953-62) grabs the heart, soul and mind. The listener yearns to dance to it, sing with it, even take up an instrument and play along. One listen and you will want to join in the fun.

Instead of featuring simply one artist, this amazing 8-CD set has Mosaic taking selected ...

Various Artists: Gospel for JFP III: Tribute to Jaco Pastorius

by David Miller
June 12, 2005

As a neophyte to Jaco Pastorius' music, I did not know what to expect from Gospel for JFP III. I didn't know if I would feel right reviewing the disc having nothing to compare it to. However, after giving the album a spin, I realized this would be easy. First of all, this is great jazz, and that in and of itself bears mentioning. Second of all, this is such a good tribute record because, while bass isn't even present ...

Alaskan Cool: Jazz from The Last Frontier

by Mark Sabbatini
June 7, 2005

Contrary to popular myth, Alaskans don't live in igloos, Eskimos buy refrigerators even from lousy salesmen and Jewel isn't the state's best musician.

It's tough finding a jazz musician from The Last Frontier with the notoriety of the 31-year- old singer/songwriter who left her “home town" of Homer 15 years ago. But look hard enough and one can find residents making their mark, such as the state's senior politician playing a role in the establishment of the Jazz ...

Various Artists: Jukebox Jazz

by David Rickert
June 6, 2005

Once the long-playing record became the recording industry standard, jazz had an uneasy relationship with the jukebox. LPs allowed artists the freedom to stretch out in extended solos and longer compositions than the 78 afforded them, and thus any resulting singles tended to be edited versions or, in some cases, split in half over two sides of a record.

However, there were some artists who still reveled in the possibilities of the jukebox. Jukebox Jazz collects some of ...

Superstar Lineup From Shout! Factory

by Charlie B. Dahan
June 1, 2005

In its all but three-year history, Shout! Factory has made its mark as the new premier reissue label on the block, but what would you expect from the former founders and executives from Rhino? Since March, they have begun releasing an aggressive schedule of reissues, collections and two top of the line three-CD box sets that are both musically pleasurable and purely entertaining. Each release treats listeners to musical enlightenment, historical significance and aural satisfaction. Dizzy Gillespie ...

Various Artists: Irving Stone Memorial Concert

by Sean Patrick Fitzell
May 28, 2005

Irving Stone's history as a voracious listener stretched back to checking out Monk and Coltrane at the Five Spot and hanging with Ornette. In his later years, he focused on the burgeoning downtown jazz scene, championing musicians taking risks and forging new sounds. Stone developed a reputation for big ears, and insiders knew they were at the right gig if he and his wife Stephanie were there.When Stone passed in June 2003, the players he befriended gathered to ...