Jazz Articles about Various Artists

Various Artists: Jazz On The Latin Side All Stars, Vol. 2

by Jim Santella
April 1, 2001

There's something special about a live session. It's bound to be full of surprises. Exceptional artists may have a bad night, microphones may cause glitches, unheard-of talent may rise up to be noticed, or unexpected partnerships may appear out of nowhere. As explosive as volume 1, this live session retains the loose spirit and comes with solid audio-recording expertise. Past and present members of the Poncho Sanchez band appear alongside veteran all-stars who represent the many faces of Latin jazz. ...

Various Artists: The Columbia Jazz Piano Moods Sessions

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 1, 2001

In so many ways, the piano trio is really one of the most perfect combinations in jazz. In the right hands, the impression of a much larger group is possible and various combinations of each instrument allow for freshness and variety. Knowing a good thing when they heard one, the magic of the piano trio was not lost on Columbia Records when they decided to launch a series of “Piano Moods” back in 1948. It was really a combination of ...

Various Artists: Soundtrack To

by Jim Santella
February 1, 2001

Reissued material by Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman and Bill Frisell for a film score? It works out perfectly as accompaniment to the film’s changes in scene and mood. Creative music to accompany a creative motion picture. This is award-winning music for an award-winning film. Finding Forrester should collect all the awards this year. While remaining unobtrusive throughout the wholesome saga, this music contributes to the film’s intentions from a distance.

The music of Davis’ 1970s-era rebirth gently nudges the film’s ...

Various Artists: Casino Lights '99

by Jim Santella
February 1, 2001

Jazz festivals have to provide an eclectic program. Who would show up to see eight bands with nearly identical credentials? How many would stay to the end? These days, jazz festivals bring in Latin jazz, smooth jazz, straight-ahead, contemporary, and blues. Every year.

Throughout the history of jazz, jam sessions have played a large part in the music's development. The jazz festival provides an opportunity for artists to meet and to interact. So, this setting lends itself to “sitting in" ...

Various Artists: Temenos (Soundtrack)

by AAJ Staff
January 1, 2001

Vocalists Sainkho Namchylak, Shelley Hirsch, and Catherine Bott contribute to the soundtrack of Nina Danino's film Temenos. While I haven't seen the film (the title means “Sacred Site"), it apparently presents landscapes surrounding places where the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared. (Three essays in the liner notes wax poetic on the subject, offering little in terms of information--and an overwhelming level of obtuse abstraction.)

Listening to Temenos, one could not imagine a more surreal aural experience. In fact, I found it ...

Various Artists: Rumba Profunda: Alto En La Fiebre De La Rumba

by AAJ Staff
January 1, 2001

Kip Hanrahan has done it again. In his various musical projects, Hanrahan has repeatedly demonstrated an amazing talent at bringing together performers to make magic--without necessarily playing a note himself. His production of Deep Rumba's 1998 record Esta Noche Se Vuelva Una Rumba (This Night Becomes a Rumba) marked a high point in the exposition of the uniquely Cuban artform known as the rumba. The centerpiece of the record was a tight and authentic group of rhythm players, who offered ...

Various Artists: Who Loves You?: A Tribute to Jaco Pastorius

by Todd S. Jenkins
January 1, 2001

When Jaco was good, he was very, very good. The best, in fact. Of course, when he was bad he could be horrid, as innumerable lousy bootleg CDs from his waning years testify. But when he was peaking, no one could hold a candle to Jaco Pastorius’ bass artistry. At those times he was indeed, as he insisted, the World’s Greatest Bass Player. Which makes it all the stranger that this tribute album was released over ten years after his ...