Jazz Articles about Wycliffe Gordon

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Wycliffe Gordon and Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm On My Mind

by Marcia Hillman
July 3, 2007

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and bassist/vocalist Jay Leonhart went into the recording studio and pulled off a plum with This Rhythm On My Mind. Using original material written by both, as well as two jazz standards, the duo successfully blended their individual skills and similar senses of humor. There are many magic moments. For example, Gordon's vocal-- á la Louis Armstrong-- on the title track or Leonhart doing his own lyric to Eddie Harris' “Freedom Jazz Dance with ...

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Wycliffe Gordon / Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm On My Mind

by Budd Kopman
March 12, 2007

Sometimes jazz as art does not have to solve the world's problems, just bring a bit of joy to an otherwise tired and dismayed soul, especially in this day and age. This Rhythm On My Mind--an antidote to the mundane and the depressing--accomplishes just that, but instead of using, say, energy to conquer the blues, it blows fresh air and spreads sunshine. Comparing trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, who also plays tuba and didjeridoo, to Louis Armstrong is a ...

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Wycliffe Gordon and Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm On My Mind

by Michael P. Gladstone
February 2, 2007

File under: Louis Armstrong meets Jack Teagarden redux! That description is accurate with respect to the vibe of the recording, but not the instrumentation: the two musicians featured here play the trombone and acoustic bass, respectively. Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, a much in-demand musician who has toiled in various Wynton Marsalis organizations over the past decade or so, joins forces with one of the most popular bassists in jazz, Jay Leonhart.

They have formed a musical cooperative, on this ...

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Wycliffe Gordon and Jay Leonhart: Humor in Harmony

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
January 15, 2007

At first, über-bassist Jay Leonhart and acclaimed trombonist Wycliffe Gordon seem an unlikely pair. Visually, they look like the Anglo poet and the star linebacker; chronologically, they're at least a generation apart. But they are both immensely talented, and their personal and musical rapport transcends any other differences between them. As relaxed and amiable as the oldest of friends, they trade their superb musicianship as naturally as conversation. They also share a sense of humor that sparkles like dry champagne. ...

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Wycliffe Gordon and Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm On My Mind

by Mark F. Turner
January 14, 2007

In times of social, political, and global challenges, music has always helped to ease the burdens of the people. Jazz artists such as trumpeter Louis Armstrong did more than just play instruments; they were also entertainers that spirited listeners into better times. This Rhythm On My Mind remembers those sentiments. The recording features two prominent musicians--trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and bassist Jay Leonhart--who not only play their respective instruments with complete expertise, but also prove to be jazz ...

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Wycliffe Gordon: Cone's Coup

by George Kanzler
November 23, 2006

Back in June, Wycliffe Gordon was awarded the Jazz Journalist Association's Trombonist of the Year honors. Cone's Coup is a good showcase of the artistry that helped him win that award. Gordon's approach to the trombone is like Sonny Rollins' on the tenor sax: a complete mastery of techniques through the entire range, with attention paid to producing a variety of tones and timbres, always with a robust sound.

Gordon's last Criss Cross CD, In the Cross, featured a gospel ...

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Wycliffe Gordon: Cone's Coup

by Alain Londes
October 25, 2006

Few musicians focus on the trombone at an early age and maintain a certain sense of individuality as they mature professionally. Wycliffe “Cone Gordon is one of those serious trombonists, having had his interest piqued at the age of twelve, following his brother. Examples of other contemporaries would include Slide Hampton, Robin Eubanks and Steve Turre.

Wycliffe Gordon couches all the tunes between a fun, catchy and swinging minor blues vocal piece called simply “Shhh!!! (later “Hush Yo' Mouf!!") as ...