Articles by Scott Gudell
Niia: V
by Scott Gudell
Niia, the Italian / American singer who has been performing since the mid-2010s, has journeyed through various musical incarnations. From subtle to shocking, she seems to have an insatiable lust for changing musical partners. She had an early dedication to classic jazz vocals, darted over to PJ Harvey-inspired angst; she embraced the smooth purring undulations of Sade as well as the alluring whispers from that elusive girl from Ipanema and more. At one point, Niia pointedly stated that “contradiction is the truth," ...
Continue ReadingHavard Volden: Small Lives
by Scott Gudell
Although the press release claims that Norwegian-born Håvard Volden “takes center stage" with his guitar, Small Lives is carefully constructed around the fusion of his experimental guitar work with synthesizers, bass, drums and more--many of which are performed by Volden himself. This is no surprise, as beyond his guitar prowess, he skillfully leverages the capabilities of a modern studio to craft intricate, improvisational soundscapes. Volden has cited guitarists such as Pat Metheny as key influences. He also draws ...
Continue ReadingMike Clark: Standard Deviations
by Scott Gudell
The goal of Mike and Mike--as in Mike Clark on drums and Mike Zilber on saxophone--the co-leaders on Standard Deviations--was to take eight jazz and pop standards (with one Zilber original) and reinterpret them by adding their 21th century interpretation to them (with the help of Jon Davis on piano and Alex Claffy on bass). Over the course of nearly an hour, the success ratio of the quartet is high. Clark first appeared on record in the 1970s, ...
Continue ReadingAnouar Brahem: After the Last Sky
by Scott Gudell
Although ECM Records has released straight-ahead jazz, free form and more, many of their recordings sweep over listeners with mysterious, ethereal and hypnotic sounds creating alluring siren calls. When those sessions are taking place with an ECM release on the horizon, it is easy to imagine the artists are thinking about 'where's the mystery?'--which is what Anouar Brahem seemed to focus on this time around. Brahem, a revered Tunisian-born master of the oud (the fretless stringed instrument with ...
Continue ReadingUte Lemper: Pirate Jenny
by Scott Gudell
Germany's optimistic yet fragile Weimar Republic period was wedged between two brutal wars during the early 20th century. Extending from 1918 to 1933, it was proudly called the Jazz Age and the Golden Twenties and offered an abundance of free-flowing entertainment choices. It was also a time of inflation, chaos and conflict dominated by economic instability and political extremism. Although German cabaret had its origins at the beginning of the century, its true glory days reigned during those ...
Continue ReadingLucian Ban and Mat Maneri: Transylvanian Dance
by Scott Gudell
Classical composer Bela Bartok was fascinated by folk melodies he heard throughout his native Transylvania at the close of the 19th century / beginning of the 20th century. Similar to when American musicologist Alan Lomax journeyed into the rural communities of the US (and other counties), Bartok journeyed deep into his native countryside to research and collect songs. He eventually archived approximately 3600 pieces on the then-prevalent cylinders. It was not long before he incorporated some of those sounds into ...
Continue ReadingStephane Wrembel: Triptych, featuring Jean-Michel Pilc
by Scott Gudell
If Stephane Wrembel's early influences partially evolved from guitarists in classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, it was not long before the French-born guitarist was drawn forever to the creative and romantic sounds of gypsy jazz master guitarist Django Reinhardt. Elements of Reinhardt's often brisk style would drift in and out of many of Wrembel's releases. Dreamers of Dreams, his 2014 release (Water Is Life Records, the artist's label), featured not only stand out cuts such ...
Continue ReadingSharon Isbin: Live in Aspen
by Scott Gudell
Ground Zero for guitarist Sharon Isbin has long been anchored in the world of western classical music. Her training was extensive and, beginning in the mid-1970s, she began winning several prestigious awards. Although she began releasing albums in the late 1970s, it took until just before the turn of the century--1999--before she secured her first Grammy nomination. She did not win the top honor that year but it is an amazing accomplishment to be nominated in and of itself. But ...
Continue ReadingRon Carter & Art Farmer: Live at Sweet Basil
by Scott Gudell
If one wanted to capture a 'who's who' snapshot of the jazz icons of the mid-'70s, into the '80s and beyond, one of the best ways to start was to see if they had added their name to the list of artists who recorded and/or released a 'Live at Sweet Basil' collection. The New York City club debuted as a restaurant in 1974 and, within a few years, artists including Art Blakey, Gil Evans, Cecil Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Mal Waldron ...
Continue ReadingRich Ruth: Water Still Flows
by Scott Gudell
Firstly, Michael Ruth goes by the name of Rich Ruth. When asked about the conversion from Michael to Rich, Ruth had a clear and simple response “I chose to go by Rich Ruth because I felt it had a more distinct ring to it and Rich is my mother's maiden name as well as my middle name." As for influences, at times it seems Ruth believes he is channeling sounds and vibrations from a higher order. When citing the inspiration ...
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