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Interview

Saxophonist Bobby Zankel Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: John Kelman
September 7, 2010

For many decades, Philadelphia has been home to a cadre of multi-generational jazz musicians who go on year-after-year composing, arranging and performing some of the best, highest level music to be heard anywhere. This tradition is exemplified in no better way than by alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Bobby Zankel. Zankel apprenticed with legendary pianist Cecil Taylor and absorbed the most advanced trends of the 1960s and '70s. He then moved to Philadelphia, where he has done his own thing ...

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Interview

A Dispatch from Steve Lantner.

Source: Brilliant Corners, a Boston Jazz Blog
August 29, 2010

Mr Lantner works an acoustic piano like a trumpeter working different mutes. Of all the exemplary pianists who are regulars at the Outpost, Steve is the only one to really open the thing up, literally. He removes all removeable covers so the thing can really resonate getting into its sonic quintessence. He doesn't want a single potential sonic nuance to be hemmed in by cabinetry. And the best part is he always puts it impeccably back together exactly the way ...

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Interview

Lou Donaldson in the WSJ

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
August 29, 2010

I typically do not post on Saturdays, but I wanted to let you know that my profile of Lou Donaldson appears today in the “Greater New York" section of the Wall Street Journal. If you have access to WSJ.com, you'll find my article here. The first three paragraphs... Few musicians today can claim to have changed the direction of jazz. Lou Donaldson did so twice—once in 1953 with Clifford Brown and again in 1957 with Jimmy Smith. From Tuesday through ...

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Interview

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 2)

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
August 28, 2010

Lots of experiences can help push a musicians to greater heights during their artistic careers, but nothing beats the opportunity to play with accomplished veterans. Private studies, individual practice, and time with classic recordings all give the musician important tools, but the limited interaction associated with these activities only yields certain results. Time on the bandstand with top musicians creates a school unto itself, full of unbelievable benefits. Musicians get immediate feedback on their performances—from direct conversation to telling eye ...

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Interview

Pianist Eric Zinman Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: John Kelman
August 31, 2010

For over twenty years, pianist/composer Eric Zinman has been crafting his own approach to his instrument, since meeting trumpeter Bill Dixon in the '80s. He views himself as an ensemble player, who plays to include. In addition to his Eric Zinman Trio, the pianist's recent releases on Ayler Records involve larger ensembles, also featuring undervalued master saxophonist Mario Rechtern. Since 2006, Zinman has been performing internationally, and has released two digital-only recordings on Ayler Records—New Language Collaborative/Unified Fields (2008), and ...

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Interview

Kneebody Present a Democratic Collective's Mix of Jazz and Rock

Source: All About Jazz @ Spinner
August 27, 2010

Jazz is traditionally a music of names and hierarchy. This goes back to great bandleaders like Ellington and Basie, but also applies to many smaller groups today where you get the Vijay Iyer Trio, David S. Ware Quartet, Wayne Shorter Quartet, or even simpler tags like Sonny Rollins or Herbie Hancock. Nonetheless, there have been notable exceptions to this premise of leadership with groups such as the Modern Jazz Quartet, Weather Report, the Bad Plus and Kneebody. Kneebody is a ...

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Interview

Jambase Questionnaire: Cochemea Gastelum

Source: JamBase
August 27, 2010

Welcome back to JamBase's baker's dozen to the bright lights of the music world. Last time we heard from These United States. Whether searing the fat off jam music in Robert Walter's 20th Congress, lighting up a Broadway stage as part of the Fela! band, keeping soul music soulful with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, getting deep with Archie Shepp or blazing a session with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Paul Simon, NYC fixture Cochemea Gastelum is the living ...

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Interview

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 1)

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
August 27, 2010

Sometimes an activity grabs our passions so completely that it becomes an obsession, capturing every last ounce of our attention. Regardless of our previous priorities and commitments, once we discover that all encompassing passion, we head out onto an unstoppable path. All of our time and energy goes into that one activity, as we constantly seek a stronger connection and a greater understanding. In some cases, our intense interest turns out to be a passing fad, and it soon becomes ...

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