Jazz Articles about Warren Smith

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Vincent Chancey Trio: The Spell

by John Sharpe
September 8, 2020

It's not everyone who gets to be name-checked in the title of an album by Sun Ra, but Chicago-native Vincent Chancey inhabits a select club thanks to Taking A Chance On Chances (Saturn, 1977), (mis-)named after an improvised duet between his French horn and Ra's piano. As well as the Arkestra, Chancey's French horn has also featured in the bands of Carla Bley, Lester Bowie, David Murray and Dave Douglas among over 300 sideman dates. But in spite of such ...

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David S. Ware Quartet: Théâtre Garonne, 2008

by Mark Corroto
November 18, 2019

In 2008, when this live concert was recorded, saxophonist David S. Ware was ill, but concert goers would have no idea of this fact. He has been suffering, since 1999 from kidney failure and eventually had a kidney transplant in 2009. Ware and the latest configuration of his quartet traveled to Toulouse, France, just a few weeks after recording the studio album Shakti (AUM Fidelity, 2008) in Brooklyn. By the same token, listeners of that release had no idea of ...

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Warren Smith: Old News Borrowed Blues

by Lyn Horton
August 3, 2009

Famous for his participation in Max Roach's percussionist band, M'Boom, drummer/vibraphonist Warren Smith has demonstrated with finesse how an approach stimulated by rhythm can become the impetus for larger ensemble music. A program of original compositions from his past, now arranged for brass, bass, guitar and percussion, is recorded for the first time in Old News Borrowed Blues. The album features a wonderful lineup in John Carlson and Cecil Bridgewater (trumpets), Joe Daley (euphonium), Jack Jeffers (bass trombone), Craig Rivers, ...

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Warren Smith: Old News Borrowed Blues

by Jerry D'Souza
July 20, 2009

Warren Smith (drums, vibraphone, percussion) does not have a deep discography as a leader, and so any recording by him is most welcome. All the music on this CD has been performed live but never released, and the wait makes hearing it all the sweeter.

Though his work as leader has been thin, Smith has played and recorded with some of jazz's more challenging musicians including Anthony Braxton, Muhal Richard Abrams, George Russell and Julius Hemphill. He was ...

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Warren Smith: Old News Borrowed Blues

by Raul d'Gama Rose
July 8, 2009

A record by Warren Smith--any record really--is cause for great celebration and Old News Borrowed Blues is no exception. Smith is not only one of the most stylish master percussionists and a truly accomplished musician. Why a musician of his caliber and standing, with over 300 compositions to his name, should have--after four decades in music--only five records (prior to this one) as leader will remain one of those mysteries of modern music. The title of this record--like his previous ...

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Warren Smith: Natural/Cultural Forces

by John Sharpe
July 10, 2008

How best to impart compositional intent to a band? Musical notation, graphical diagrams, singing or playing parts or discussing motives and visions? Veteran percussionist Warren Smith has experienced the whole gamut over his 74 years, with everyone from Charles Mingus, Muhal Richard Abrams, Bill Dixon, Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison to contemporary classical composer Harry Partch. For his own Natural/Cultural Forces, Smith adopts the last approach to guide the imaginations of tenor saxophonist Andrew Lamb, French horn player Mark Taylor ...

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Warren Smith: WIS on Monk

by Francis Lo Kee
January 13, 2008

Warren Smith WIS on Monk (Warren Smith Solo Percussion) Freedom Art 2007

To say Warren Smith has broad experience as a percussionist would be quite the understatement. His ability to play ALL percussion instruments in any musical style--jazz, Motown, Broadway, classical, rock and pop-- makes the Chicago-born Smith one of music's most valuable players. A list of the artists he's worked with would be endless. WIS on Monk is therefore an important and welcome ...