Interview News

Rendezvous: Merging Jazz with Electropop

Source: Michael Ricci
January 12, 2010

By Alma Jones The one thing I dread in music is to hear two beautiful genres fused together in one sloppy song, like two awkward clumps of clay haphazardly slapped together. It's extremely difficult to pull off this stunt, especially if the genres in mind are not the least bit similar. That's why I'm quite relieved that Rendezvous, the popular underground band from Israel, has actually accomplished this almost impossible feat.

I can definitely hear a very strong influence of ...

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Interview: Sammy Nestico (Part 1)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 12, 2010

Count Basie's finest album of the 1960s is easily Straight Ahead. Recorded in 1968 for the Dot label, the album's tracks were composed and arranged from top to bottom by Sammy Nestico. He even conducted the band. What's remarkable about this album is how naturally Sammy's charts swing within the Basie idiom. Sammy's up-tempo numbers build repeatedly to satisfying crescendos, leaving plenty of room for Basie's punctual piano, while Sammy's ballad compositions are rich showcases for Basie soloists. This year, ...

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Singer/Songwriter David Sylvian Interviewed at AAJ...And More!

Source: All About Jazz
January 12, 2010

Many artists deliberately avoid taking risks, making changes instead opting for the safe, but David Sylvian is not one of them. Across his illustrious career, Sylvian has always sought to take listeners out of their comfort zone. Self-consciousness and introspection permeate every corner of his works. His mostriveting songs have explored various topics, including spirituality and soul-searching for the modern world. His songs are evocative and fragile, confronting the listener about the challenges inherent in being human.

AAJ Contributor Nenad ...

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Who is Sue Menhart, Recognized as Being One of Indie Music's Top 25 for 2010

Source: Just Roots PR
January 11, 2010

Sue Menhart recently made Indie Music's list of top 25 best indie band's for 2010, and her song “Why You Love Me" a “Top 25 of 2010." This prestigious award is presented each year in January to honor excellence and achievement in independent music. The very best song entries receive nominations during 3 rounds of competition throughout the year, with Finalist Nominations officially announced in November. Top 25 winners are chosen the “old school" way - industry professionals on Indie ...

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Photostory13: Harry Edison

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 11, 2010

This 1997 image of Harry “Sweets" Edison by photographer Paul Slaughter is a study in contrasts. The creases in Edison's eyes are piercing yet seductive. His smile is broad but also slightly pained. What we see here is a swinging legend late in life, relentlessly devoted to his music and the joy it brought fans. Edison was a durable member of Count Basie's band starting in 1938. When Basie folded the orchestra in 1950, Edison became house trumpeter for Norman ...

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Vibraphonist Mike Mainieri Interviewed at AAJ...And More!

Source: All About Jazz
January 11, 2010

It's hard to imagine vibraphonist Mike Mainieri in his seventies. Not only does he look and sound like a man 10 years (or more) his junior, but a quick look at the projects he's been involved in over the past few years sound like anything but a septuagenarian resting on his not inconsiderable laurels.

Mainieri may not have the instant name recognition of peers like Gary Burton, or even younger players like Joe Locke, Stefon Harris or Steve Nelson, but ...

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A Jazz Singer Saunters Through Old and New

Source: Michael Ricci
January 10, 2010

Giacomo Gates approaches jazz singing with a showmans poise and an aficionados zeal. Holding court on Wednesday night in the mezzanine lounge of the Kitano New York Hotel, he was solicitous but cool. He wanted to let his listeners in on a secret, bring them into his confidence. With his deep, cognac baritone and his vintage-hipster lexicon, he seemed an appreciative throwback, eager to share credit with his precursors while mindful of keeping a little for himself. Opening with Melodious ...

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An Unusual Duo Tests Conventional Song Forms

Source: Michael Ricci
January 10, 2010

Creative friction that playfully undercuts conventional song forms in a search of greater expressive latitude might describe the collaboration of Michael Winther, a theater singer of impeccable taste and polish, and the jazz pianist Dan Tepfer in their show, Songs and Variations, at the Metropolitan Room on Monday evening. Mr. Winther, a tenor known for interpreting the work of younger songwriters in a post-Sondheim tradition of literate introspection, and Mr. Tepfer, a pianist and composer whose style merges classical and ...

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