Jazz Articles about Victor Wooten

About Victor Wooten

Album Review

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: Jingle All The Way

Read "Jingle All The Way" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
December 22, 2025

Originally released in 2008 on Rounder Records, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones' Jingle All The Way is an accurate microcosm of the deceptive whimsy the group displays on stage during the best moments of their live performances. Its uplifting effect is all the more pronounced as this is a collection of holiday-related music. This last studio album to feature saxophonist Jeff Coffin before his departure in 2009 to join the Dave Matthews Band Band was remastered in late ...

Album Review

Bela Fleck: Rhapsody In Blue

Read "Rhapsody In Blue" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
February 12, 2024

It's a long way from India to Broadway, but Bela Fleck makes the journey in high style for Rhapsody in Blue. It follows the altogether exotic As We Speak (Thirty Tigers, 2023), the combination of which further a case for the banjoist/composer/bandleader as an eclectic musical explorer comparable to Pat Metheny. Beginning in the slow-but-sure, occasionally fitful way this album's concept came together, “Rhapsody in Blue (grass)" features seemingly conventional banjo voicings alternated with George Gershwin's inimitable progressions. ...

Liner Notes

Bass Extremes: S'Low Down

by Chris Jisi
January 27, 2023

Thirty years ago, a simple pairing changed the trajectory of bass. Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten, bonded by their mutual fretboard wizardry, sharp wit, and teaching philosophies, formed Bass Extremes, and the instrument and its community were forever transformed. The concept was quite ambitious. Steve was a rapidly ascending anchor for Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D'Rivera and the Rippingtons, who had found his voice on the 6-string fretless bass and was taking the instrument to uncharted heights, with a soon to ...

Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 3

Read "Drumology Volume 3" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
November 17, 2022

The beat goes on. Yes, that was a big hit for Sonny & Cher back in 1967. However, here it references the third volume of drummer Rob Silverman's Drumology series. The formula seems to be working, so why not keep pounding them out? Again all proceeds go to the Neil Peart Fund for brain cancer research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. And the core band stays intact, with Silverman being joined by brother Michael Silverman on piano and keyboards, bassist Larry ...

Radio & Podcasts

Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, The Zawinul Syndicate, Sixun and Allan Holdsworth

by Len Davis
December 5, 2021

Victor Wooten Live In America, The Zawinul Syndicate, Sixun, Uzeb Live in Bracknell and Allan Holdsworth. Playlist Victor Wooten “Miller Time" fromLive In America (Compass) 00:00 The Zawinul Syndicate “King Hip" from Immigrants (Columbia) 08:04 Sixun “Ali Go Go" from Nomads Land (Universal) 15:54 Uzeb “New Funk" from Live In Bracknell (Norac) 23:44 Larry Coryell-Tom Coster-Steve Smith “Night Visitors" from Cause And Effect (Tone Centre) 31:50 CAB"Jaco Rocco Circus" from Theatre De Marionettes (Self Produced) 39:46 Allan Holdsworth ...

Book Review

The Spirit of Music: The Lesson Continues

by Doug Collette
July 3, 2021

The Spirit of Music: The Lesson Continues Victor Wooten 368 Pages ISBN: 978-0593081662 Vintage Books 2021 When he is on stage with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Victor Wooten radiates such an earnest persona, it's easy to forgive him for the flash and flamboyance he displays in his solo spots. Likewise when he writes, his passion so thoroughly infuses his somewhat fatuous concepts, it is only his execution that sometimes comes into ...

Live Review

The Victor Wooten Trio at The Ardmore Music Hall

by Mike Jacobs
March 14, 2017

The Victor Wooten Trio The Ardmore Music Hall Ardmore PA March 4, 2017 Bass innovator Victor Wooten may not quite be a household name, but he's pretty well known as instrumentalists go. This is attributable to his talents, yes, but also to the many different types of projects in which his talents have been presented over the years. From the unique crossover spacegrass / jazz / jam band appeal of Bela Fleck ...