Articles by Dave Kaufman
Ignition of the Ages: Sonny Sharrock’s Seismic Siege of the Detroit State Theatre
Concept by Dave Kaufman | Written by AI
Sonny Sharrock was a singular force in music, a brilliant and volcanic guitarist who bridged the jagged divide between the visceral power of Jimi Hendrix and the spiritual depth of John Coltrane. In 1991, he released his masterpiece, “Ask the Ages," a record that remains a high-water mark of modern jazz. Tragically, it would serve as his final statement; Sharrock passed away just a few years after its release, leaving behind a profound “what-if" in the history of the genre. ...
Continue ReadingThe Anna Webber Nonet at the Jazz Gallery: Reflections from the Edge of a World Gone Awry
by Dave Kaufman
The Jazz Gallery has functioned as a vital incubator for the New York jazz scene since its founding in 1995, specifically designed as a non-profit space where the primary goal is artistic risk rather than commercial viability. Anna Webber has a longstanding relationship with the Gallery; she was the 2022 recipient of the Margaret Whitton Award for female composers who lead their own ensembles. A celebrated composer and musician, Webber received the BMI Foundation Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize in ...
Continue ReadingReimagining Bitches Brew at the New York City Winter Jazzfest
by Dave Kaufman
Each year, the New York City Winter JazzFest, in collaboration with the music-promotion collective Pique-Nique, presents its “Take Two" series, which revisits and reimagines landmark recordings from the jazz canon. Previous editions have paid tribute to historically significant works, including a memorable presentation of Max Roach's Members, Don't Git Weary (Leo Lab, 1968) several years ago. This year's “Reimagine Bitches Brew" event, which took place at Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) on January 13, 2026, extended that lineage, situating the album ...
Continue ReadingA Love Supreme at Carnegie Hall: Coltrane’s Night of Fire and Grace
Concept by Dave Kaufman | Written by AI
Carnegie Hall, New York City--November 1965. Something sacred broke open the air last night. It began not with a note, but with a shimmer. Elvin Jones washed a mallet across a suspended gong, a metallic exhale that seemed to expand until it touched the gilded balconies of Carnegie Hall. The silence that followed was heavy, not empty--the kind of silence that waits for a prophecy. When John Coltrane stepped forward, flanked by McCoy Tyner and Jimmy ...
Continue ReadingChad Taylor and Smoke Shifter at the Jazz Gallery
by Dave Kaufman
The most excellent album, Smoke Shifter (Otherly Love Records, 2025), places Chad Taylor in the foreground as a bandleader, but his enduring presence onstage is evidenced by a long career built on deep collaborations. He is widely recognized for his close musical bond with saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, an association that ranges from duo work to trios to their standout, acclaimed Molecular Systematic Music Quartet. That same responsive intelligence has shaped Taylor's roles across the various Chicago Underground projects and ...
Continue ReadingFrom Mystery to Momentum: Bill Frisell’s Quartet at The Jazz Gallery
by Dave Kaufman
It was a glorious year for The Jazz Gallery as it celebrated its 30th-anniversary season with a series of stellar concerts. The Jazz Gallery is a remarkably inviting and hospitable venue, friendly to both patrons and photographers. The room has great sound and affords comfortable seating. It is a strong contender for the best jazz “club" in New York City and is certainly my favorite. Earlier this year, the Jazz Gallery gave Bill Frisell its Lifetime Achievement Award at the ...
Continue ReadingMedeski, Martin, Cline, and Metzger In Free Flight
by Dave Kaufman
Just after midnight at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on December 30, 2025, a late set got underway. Billed as a Phish After-Party, it featured John Medeski (organ and keys), Billy Martin (drums), Scott Metzger (guitar and bass guitar), and Nels Cline (guitar). Phish was in the middle of its annual Madison Square Garden New Year's run (December 28-31, 2025), and people clearly came looking for the celebration to continue. Many were in for quite a surprise.
Continue ReadingChanneling the Past, Shaping the Present: Ravi Coltrane Trio Live at the Blue Note
by Dave Kaufman
The Blue Note was packed and buzzing with anticipation late Sunday evening in New York City, as listeners gathered for the closing set of what had already been a compelling five-night run. On Sunday night (March 9, 2025), the Ravi Coltrane Trio wrapped up its residency with a final set that reflected the open, exploratory spirit of modern jazz. The performance, the closing show of the run--carried the kind of looseness and spontaneity often found in late-night sets, when both ...
Continue ReadingTrion In Flight: A Celebration Of Freedom and Form for the Jazz Gallery’s 30th Anniversary
by Dave Kaufman
The Jazz Gallery is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and the programming has been nothing short of remarkable. One of New York City's most hospitable and artist-friendly venues, the Gallery offers an ideal listening experience: comfortable seating, excellent sound and sightlines, and a genuinely welcoming vibe--including for photographers, which is much appreciated. Trion, the powerhouse trio led by drummer Johnathan Blake, features bassist Linda May Han Oh and saxophonist Chris Potter--leading lights of the contemporary jazz ...
Continue ReadingTony Malaby and Firebath Ignite the Jazz Gallery
by Dave Kaufman
I had the great pleasure of seeing Tony Malaby perform at The Jazz Gallery. Malaby moved to Boston a couple of years ago to take up a teaching position at Berklee. Although he continues to perform in New York City, I had not seen him live since he moved. On this occasion, his band presented the “Firebath" suite based around three simple melodies. Malaby has performed this suite for the past several months with different ensembles including an 11-piece mini ...
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