Jazz Articles about Ralph Alessi

About Ralph Alessi

Album Review

Listening to Zeit Zirkel (Time Circle), German-born and New York-based drummer Christian Finger's sixth album, you might not surmise that he was the leader of this ensemble--unless, that is, you glanced at the album jacket. Yes, Finger is present on every track and he anchors the quintet's reliable rhythm section. And yes, he composed and arranged every one of the session's 13 uniquely personal numbers. On the other hand, he nestles mostly within the woodwork, ceding the lion's ...

Album Review

Christian Finger: Zeit Zirkel

Read "Zeit Zirkel" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
October 1, 2026

Whether German-born, New York based drummer/composer Christian Finger (Lee Konitz, Ron Carter, Donny McCaslin) is well known within this circle or that circle holds no bearing on the shape of things and the highs heard on Zeit Zirkel. Making peace with grief and rooted in resilience, space, and spirit, the music makes its way through our daily distractions and focuses our vision on something much larger than an iPhone. Choosing instead to define grief as something to be ...

Radio & Podcasts

Ralph Alessi Quintet, Shipp/Parker Duo & Barefoot Records

by Maurice Hogue
August 3, 2026

Great to see trumpeter Ralph Alessi back leading his quintet, and it has a twist to it. He's replaced the sound of Ravi Coltrane's saxophone with the trombone, as played by his brother Joseph Alessi. It gives A Sun That Never Sets a different sound plus this album marks the first time the two Alessi brothers have ever recorded together. I'll wager you've not heard the standard tune, “Summertime," sliced and diced the way pianist Matthew Shipp & bassist William ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Music From Ralph Alessi, Columbia Icefield, Flavio Zanuttini And More

by Bob Osborne
July 16, 2026

This playlist brings together a blend of contemporary jazz, avant-garde improvisations, and expansive orchestral textures from across the globe. Seamlessly shifting between intimate duos, driving quintets, and the rich, layered dynamics of modern big bands, the collection celebrates both the precision of meticulous composition and the raw freedom of sonic exploration. From hushed, atmospheric soundscapes and deeply personal improvisations to vibrant dialogues, these tracks showcase a diverse spectrum of visionary musicians pushing the boundaries of their craft. It is an ...

Live Review

Ralph Alessi Quartet al Torrione di Ferrara

by Libero Farnè
April 21, 2026

Ralph Alessi Quartet Torrione Jazz Club Ferrara 18 aprile 2026 Il Torrione, riconosciuto ormai a livello internazionale come un jazz club di prim'ordine con la sua programmazione costantemente rivolta all'attualità, è sempre frequentato da uno zoccolo duro di adepti, da una “confraternita del jazz" avrebbe detto John Fante. Tra gli appuntamenti, tutti di elevata qualità, della sua stagione invernale 2025-26, che si concluderà il 9 maggio con l'imperdibile duo Craig Taborn--Nicole Mitchell, ha spiccato ...

Album Review

Timo Vollbrecht: Bremen New York

Read "Bremen New York" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero

by Vincenzo Roggero
November 27, 2025

Per il suo ultimo lavoro il sassofonista e compositore di origine tedesca Timo Vollbrecht allestisce un quintetto da sogno, registra alla leggendaria Sendesaal di Brema e intitola il disco Bremen/New York, ideale ponte tra la patria d'origine e la patria d'adozione. Per qualità del suono, cura dei dettagli e impianto complessivo Bremen/New York potrebbe essere un classico disco ECM (non a caso Vollbrecht sta lavorando ad un libro su Manfred Eicher, fondatore della storica etichetta tedesca). La musica fluisce ...

Live Review

Vicenza Jazz - New Conversations 2025

by Libero Farnè
May 27, 2025

Vicenza Jazz 2025 Varie sedi Vicenza 15--25 maggio 2025 Vicenza Jazz--New Conversations ha sempre portato un sottotitolo che mettesse in evidenza il tema su cui di anno in anno si concentrava prevalentemente. Questa ventinovesima edizione ha evitato di celebrare anniversari o di puntare i riflettori su uno strumento principe, ...anche se, come vedremo, un anniversario importante è stato ricordato, quello del comportamento generatore di eventi storici da parte di Rosa Parks nel 1955 a Montgomery; ...