Jazz Articles about Various Artists

Various Artists: Memphis Piano Convention

by Wayne Zade
July 1, 1999

This collection of solo piano performances pre-dates two releases by the Contemporary Piano Ensemble, aka the Phineas Newborn, Jr. Project, who perform in unison with a rhythm section. Memphis Piano Convention features the impressions of six pianists from Memphis, Newborn's hometown, who either studied with or were influenced by him: James Williams, Donald Brown, Mulgrew Miller, Harold Mabern, Charles Thomas, and Russell Wilson. Each performs one or two pieces closely associated with Newborn in tribute to the pianist Williams calls ...

Various Artists: Jazz For A Lazy Day

by Paula Edelstein
June 1, 1999

Jazz For A Lazy Day, fifth in the highly acclaimed Jazz For... series produced by Joel Dorn for The Masked Announcer, is most likely to follow its predecessors to the top of the charts. And deservingly so. The series is an excellent selection of traditional acoustic jazz led by such music legends as Hank Jones, Sonny Stitt, Houston Person, Donald Byrd and Pat Martino. Jazz For A Lazy Day, a 9-track CD also features stellar performances by newer artists such ...

Various Artists: A Summit Jazz Adventure

by Jim Santella
June 1, 1999

Samplers are useful to buyers when they provide a representative selection of an artist’s or label’s wares. They offer the listener an opportunity to obtain a feel for the product. Summit’s sampler is over an hour long, provides selections from sixteen different albums, and includes the artistry of a wide range of artists.

“Boplicity" is a recreation of the original Miles Davis item, performed by Summit’s Jazz Nonet with solos by trumpeter Greg Hopkins, saxophonist Bryon Ruth and pianist Chuck ...

Various Artists: The Best of Danish Jazz

by AAJ Staff
June 1, 1999

The problem with reviewing sampler cds is that usually only one or two tracks at most are selected to represent each artist. Thus it is impossible and unfair to attempt at characterizing each artist or to make valid recommendations (or not) of their music based upon this limited input.

On the other hand, one could review the sampler cd as being supposedly representative of a specific label’s releases. In that light, “The Best of Danish Jazz” could just as easily ...

Various Artists: Great Traditionalists and Quartier Latin Jazz Band, Volume One

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 1999

The disc opens up like a book, and you are surrounded by history. In a generation’s time (1960-89) we follow Dieter Antritter as he plays with an amazing cast. In studio and in concert, we go from weary blues to happy swing, an old sound with the fervor of youth. And the people! A song by a Canadian school teacher is followed by a guy who played in World War I with Jim Europe’s Hell Fighters Band! There are forgotten ...

Various Artists: Black Saint/Soul Note Critics' Picks Volume Three

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 1999

Here’s a sampler to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Soul Note label – and nearly the 25th year of its sister Black Saint. The critics polled here had the fun of going through the catalog – and the challenge of summarizing the labels in 75 minutes! A tough task, but they came through: the music here (made from 1978-1992) is challenging, exciting, and fun, made by an amazing cast of characters. It’s a great feat for a label – ...

Various Artists: Criss Cross Label: New Release Spotlight

by C. Andrew Hovan
May 1, 1999

Thank god for guys like Criss Cross owner and producer Gerry Teekens. He's in it for the music, and as a result his label is really one of the rare few that is giving younger jazz musicians a chance to record and further their careers by sharing their music with a larger audience. Starting over a decade ago on a modest budget, Teekens now ships over 12 new releases a year from Holland and this reviewer waits with baited breath ...