Jazz Articles about Willie Morris

About Willie Morris

Album Review

Willie Morris: Attentive Listening

Read "Attentive Listening" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
March 9, 2024

Attentive Listening, Willie Morris 's second Posi-Tone release in as many years, documents the continuing evolution of a jazz master in the making. Like last year's Conversation Starter, the tenor saxophonist/composer thrives in the stimulating company of alto saxophonist/alto flutist Patrick Cornelius and pianist Jon Davis. Bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston round out a rhythm section that fuels the record's impressive reach. Early on, Morris' “Water Fountain Of Youth" and “The Imitation Game" are up-tempo ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Music From Willie Morris, Tomas Fujiwara, George And More

by Bob Osborne
October 5, 2023

On this show we present new and recent releases from Willie Morris, Tomas Fujiwara, George (Anna Webber with Aurora Nealand, Chiquita Magic & John Hollenbeck), Nicolás Politzer, Christian Dillingham, Graham Collier, Jambal and Tristan de Liège, Elsa Nilsson, Matt Kane, Ilios Steryannis, Teri Parker, Greg Spero, and Makaya McCraven. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Willie Morris “Tina's Dream" from Conversation Starter (Positone) 00:51 Tomas Fujiwara “Solace" from Pith (Out Of Your Head Records) 08:04 Tomas Fujiwara “Swelter" from Pith ...

Album Review

Willie Morris: Conversation Starter

Read "Conversation Starter" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
October 1, 2023

The story is old, predictable and often exasperating. A virtually unknown jazz musician distinguishes himself or herself as part of the supporting cast on a handful of recordings. And then begins the wait to see if any label will offer the young, deserving player a shot in the driver's seat. Early this year, two releases on Posi-Tone Records stimulated an appetite for more music by Willie Morris. The tenor saxophonist acquitted himself well as an ensemble player, ...

Album Review

Josh Lawrence: And That Too

Read "And That Too" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
April 26, 2023

Less than ten seconds into “Grit," the opening track of Josh Lawrence's latest chapter as a leader for Posi-Tone Records, the trumpeter uncorks a jaw-dropping solo. Set in a brisk, no-nonsense tempo, it does not so much eclipse the music that follows as it sets the tone for the record by declaring that And That Too is playful and deadly serious. Lawrence's rich, full-bodied tone is the entryway to over two minutes of unadulterated invention. Every note ...

Album Review

Something Blue: Personal Preference

Read "Personal Preference" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
February 26, 2023

Marc Free produced the second edition of Something Blue to encourage “a wider audience of new listeners" to jazz by presenting “a focused program of concise performances to provide maximum enjoyment." These goals are congruent with Free's trust in his artists. The eleven tracks of Personal Preference do not smack of compromise or a nebulous artistic focus. Free has assembled a band of players with ties to the label who boldly stride through the bop/hard bop/post-bop continuum, utilizing elements from ...