Articles

Matana Roberts, the Organ in Jazz, and New Releases

by Bob Osborne
January 24, 2019

This week a focus on Matana Roberts, a preview of the new album from Dave Douglas, other new releases and a focus on the organ, Hammond and otherwise, in jazz. Playlist Dave Douglas “Showing Up" from Engage (Greenleaf) 00:00 Chicago Edge Ensemble “A Pontificators Tale" from Insidious Anthem (Trost) 08:31 Matana Roberts, Josh Abrams, Chad Taylor “Hannibul" from Sticks and Stones (482 Music) 17:27 Matana Roberts “Love Call" from The Chicago Project (Central Control International) 24:50 Matana Roberts ...

Matana Roberts: Always

by Mark Corroto
June 1, 2015

The saxophone is possibly the musical instrument that produces a sound closest to the human voice. Listening to a virtuoso saxophonist like Matana Roberts, one hears more than just breath through a reed instrument. Her solo recording Always, travels beyond voice, to mind, body, and spirit. Recorded in studio, without the benefit of a reflecting audience, the experience is one of a voyeur to the saxophonist's most private thoughts. Offered with excellent sound, the recording reproduces fingers on ...

Matana Roberts / Sam Shalabi / Nicolas Caloia: Feldspar

by Eyal Hareuveni
July 21, 2014

An exceptional improvised meeting between American saxophonist Matana Roberts, known for her Coin Coin project--Chapter One: Gens de Couleur Libres and Chapter Two: Mississippi Moonchile (Constellation, 2011 and 2013)--and two left-of-center, free improvisers from the Canadian, Montreal scene--guitarist Sam Shalabi, known for his Middle-Eastern-tinged band Shalabi Effect and his orchestral works with Land of Kush, and double bassist Nicola Caloia, who leads the improvising Ratchet Orchestra. Feldspar, titled after Earth's rock formations, was recorded in studio ...

Matana Roberts

by Martin Longley
January 29, 2010

John Zorn has invited the Chicagoan alto saxophonist Matana Roberts to curate at The Stone. The most common practice is for a month to be shared by two artists, but Roberts has all of January to herself. It's a sign of an omnivorous musical appetite that she's struggled to cram all of her dream-choices into a mere four weeks. It's also unusual for an artist not to showcase several of their own band permutations. Showing remarkable restraint, Roberts will only ...

Matana Roberts at the Vortex in London

by John Sharpe
April 17, 2009

Matana Roberts Quartet The Vortex Jazz Bar London, England April 1, 2009

While Barack Obama was in town for the G20 summit, the American president wasn't the only recent Chicago resident to be making waves in London. As Obama and the other G20 leaders provoked an outpouring of discontent and police helicopters buzzed over protestors, just a few miles down the road from the City banks, upcoming saxophonist Matana Roberts faced a rather ...

Matana Roberts: The Chicago Project

by Troy Collins
February 19, 2008

The Chicago Project, a tribute to saxophonist Matana Roberts' hometown, features some of the Windy City's finest players, including guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Josh Abrams, drummer Frank Rosaly and a special guest appearance by veteran tenor saxophonist and fellow AACM member Fred Anderson. Now a resident of New York City, Roberts establishes her Chicago bred lineage with this stunning, forward thinking release.

Roberts' singular style is equally informed by her AACM heritage and the fervent expressionism of the ...

Matana Roberts: The Chicago Project

by Mark F. Turner
February 19, 2008

Matana Roberts The Chicago Project Central Control International 2008 Whether or not you believe in reincarnation, saxophonist/composer Matana Roberts, sounds as if she's been here before. You can hear it in her voice, a definite tonality, a lyrical spiritual essence that recalls the voices of reed players Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler, Eric Dolphy, and others--one of profound soulfulness, passion and purity. Yet the embodiment of Roberts is devoid of mimicry or pretense, ...