Articles by Dan Bilawsky
Remy Le Boeuf’s Assembly of Shadows: Heartland Radio
by Dan Bilawsky
This ear-grabbing date from Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows--the band's third release, following its eponymous debut (in 2019) and Architecture of Storms (SoundSpore Records, 2021)--is a sonic mirror, reflecting the multihyphenate leader's recent travels in both life and sound. Influenced by an odyssey across inland America, sights encountered along the way, and the adventitious, airwaves-dictated soundtrack to the journey, Heartland Radio offers up a striking portrait of a Promethean artist with an unfettered imagination. Opening on ...
read moreHilary Gardner: On the Trail With the Lonesome Pines
by Dan Bilawsky
How does an Alaskan-reared, New York-based singer of Great America Songbook virtue come to explore trail songs from the '30s and '40s? The answer is quite simple: A pandemic-produced mixture of curiosity and yearning for open pastures. While cooped up in her Brooklyn apartment during early quarantine days, Hilary Gardner began to research the rich if oft-neglected history of this sub-genre, both as it lives and breathes in its own space and connects directly to first-rate jazz and tin pan ...
read moreNatalie Cressman & Ian Faquini: Guinga
by Dan Bilawsky
Brazilian guitarist-composer Guinga is something of a legendary figure. A polyglot performer associated with música popular brasileira's all-encompassing ethos, he's made his name fusing the contemporary and folkloric strains of his homeland with classical, jazz, rock and pop stylings. His influence looms large in that particular niche of the music world--and, honestly, beyond--and he receives his flowers on this warm tribute from trombonist Natalie Cressman and guitarist Ian Faquini. This unique duo, which made an instantly positive ...
read moreDavid Gibson: Fellowship
by Dan Bilawsky
When you strip away the most obvious elements that contribute to the creation of a magical experience in this music, the one that remains is fellowship. Camaraderie between bandmates elevates a sonic endeavor like nothing else can, heightening everything for both performers and listeners, and that's a fact that's never been lost on David Gibson. The noted trombonist has long espoused the importance of musical family--something that began to resonate on an even deeper level during the pandemic--and that high ...
read moreDan Pugach Big Band at The Jazz Loft
by Dan Bilawsky
On March 22, 2024, two weeks to the day after Dan Pugach released his first big band record, the celebrated drummer-composer brought his large ensemble to The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook for an album release event that was a resounding success by any measure. That 90-seat venue--a performance space, museum and educational hub with a well-earned reputation as the crown jewel site on the Long Island jazz scene--played host to a stellar two-set concert that earned a standing ovation ...
read moreJennifer Wharton's Bonegasm: Grit & Grace
by Dan Bilawsky
Blessed be the 'bone of invention and intention that is Jennifer Wharton. A mere six years ago, the noted bass trombonist had the idea to form a slide-centric septet and commission new music to bring her oft-neglected and ballasting instrument to the fore. Driven to act on that concept, Wharton thought things through, put a plan in motion and willed Bonegasm into existence. That aptly-titled band recorded its eponymous debut in 2018, released that revelation of a record in 2019, ...
read moreNicole Zuraitis: How Love Begins
by Dan Bilawsky
Love is not for the faint of heart. Its tides are unpredictable, bound to different souls, intensifying and ebbing in parallel to the feelings and favors of each individual who exerts their gravitational pull on an evolving romance. Musically charting those waters--depicting the full scope of that sea through song--is no simple feat. Yet some supreme talents, like this one, make it happen and make it look easy. Nicole Zuraitis--a first-rate songwriter, powerhouse vocalist and grade-A pianist--proves to be an ...
read moreAlan Ferber: Enneadic Endeavors
by Dan Bilawsky
When Alan Ferber was first finding his way as a Californian-turned-New Yorker near the dawn of the new millennium, he didn't know many people on his adopted scene. So logically, he used composing--for nonet, among other configurations--as a means for networking and fostering connections. “I don't like cold calling people; I just like to put projects together to meet people," shares the three-time Grammy-nominated trombonist, bandleader, composer, arranger and educator. Nearly two decades later, Ferber found himself ...
read moreBenny Benack III: Third Time's The Charm
by Dan Bilawsky
Though the title of this third album from multihyphenate Benny Benack III might imply misfires with his first two go-rounds, the truth really runs contrary to that line of reasoning. One of a Kind (BB3, 2017), while flying under the radar, introduced some listeners to a talent far too large to be contained; and A Lot of Livin' To Do (La Reserve, 2020) proved to be a strong follow-up statement, earning greater attention and acclaim for a dashing leading man ...
read moreNadje Noordhuis + James Shipp: Multitudes
by Dan Bilawsky
Trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis and percussionist/synthesist James Shipp have proven to be a most compelling pair. Their Indigo (Little Mystery, 2017)--a duo album built on a shared outlook and fellow feeling--was a faithful introduction to the sound of simpatico souls in musical motion. And this eagerly awaited follow-up, while playing true to this continuing story of two, is largely about the art of expansion. Eager to take their partnership to a new place by broadening design concepts through an extended creative ...
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