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Jim Witzel
Jim Witzel Quartet: Very Early (Remembering Bill Evans)
by Troy Dostert
While tributes to pianist Bill Evans have certainly not been in short supply over the years, he has unsurprisingly been given far more attention by pianists than from other instrumentalists. Efforts from guitarists have been particularly rare. There are some noteworthy exceptions: John McLaughlin took a stab at it in 1993 with Time Remembered (Verve) alongside three other guitarists, for example, and John Abercrombie worked with pianist Andy LaVerne on Timeline (Steeplechase, 2003) in an homage to Undercurrent (Blue Note, ...
Continue ReadingJim Witzel Quartet: Breaking Through Gently
by Pierre Giroux
Offering a refined exploration of jazz guitar, Jim Witzel's release Breaking Through Gently balances accessibility with a modern, lyrical edge. Accompanied by a seasoned trio of pianist Phil Aaron, bassist Dan Feiszli and drummer Jason Lewis, Witzel presents a collection consisting primarily of his original works, along with some by Aaron and a reimagining of a Paul Simon tune. The result is a captivating yet understated journey into contemporary jazz. The session opens with a Witzel composition, “My ...
Continue ReadingJim Witzel Trio & Quartet: Feelin' It
by Jack Bowers
Feelin' It, guitarist Jim Witzel's second album as leader, features his trio (Brian Ho, Hammond B3 organ; Jason Lewis, drums) on five of eight numbers, with tenor saxophonist Dann Zinn added on a trio of Witzel's original compositions. Although Witzel has recorded only twice in the past thirty years, that is basically because his successful career as an educator and in- demand sideman and leader has kept him from returning to the studio. As Witzel shows on ...
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