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Daily articles carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. Read our popular and future articles.

ALBUM REVIEW November 19, 2016

Jacam Manricks: Chamber Jazz

Read "Chamber Jazz" reviewed by Dave Wayne

Now based in California, composer and multi-reed whiz Jacam Manricks describes himself as “Sri Lankan- Portuguese Australian-born." In other words he's the virtual embodiment of a world citizen. When it comes to his music, Manricks is unafraid to draw from pretty much any source for inspiration. The wryly-titled Chamber Jazz comprises eight Manricks originals plus a cover of Miles Davis' “Deception" and an adaptation of Jean Sibelius' “En Etsi Valtaa Loistoa" (I Seek No Power or Glory). Despite the repeated ...

ALBUM REVIEW July 19, 2012

Jacam Manricks: Cloud Nine

By Dan Bilawsky

The euphoria-based title of Jacam Manricks' latest album makes perfect sense. After all, who wouldn't be on cloud nine with a band like this?! For his fourth album, the Australian-born, New York-based saxophonist mingles with three modernist elites who help to shape and define his sound. While Manricks' compositional prowess could easily allow him to fully script every little musical nuance conveyed on this album, he wisely allows the distinct personalities on this date to add their own thoughts while ...

ALBUM REVIEW September 10, 2010

Jacam Manricks: Trigonometry

By Raul d'Gama Rose

The reason that there is seldom a wrong note played by Jacám Manricks on Trigonometry is that notes, phrases and the spiraling flow of seemingly unending lines appear to be so extremely well thought-out that nothing could possibly sound out of place. To hear the saxophonist play in soft, dulcet tones that occupy the paler colors of a woodwinds player's tonal palette is like listening to an apothecary conjuring up a mysterious aural recipe that will ultimately produce some magic ...

ALBUM REVIEW July 1, 2010

Jacam Manricks: Trigonometry

By Bruce Lindsay

Jacám Manricks is a rich-toned saxophonist and composer with a growing body of original tunes--Trigonometry appears hot on the heels of the self-released Labyrinth (Manricks Music Records, 2009). The New York based musician has allied himself to a strong ensemble of players who happily take on the challenge of Manricks' compositions and invest them with some terrifically enthusiastic playing. The result is a bop-inspired album that can readily surprise and delight. The album begins emphatically on “Trigonometry" ...

ALBUM REVIEW June 8, 2010

Jacám Manricks: Trigonometry

By Dan Bilawsky

This album, like the branch of math where it gets its names, deals with angles and relationships from different sides. Saxophonist/composer Jacám Manricks enjoys creating some rhythmic friction--using different combinations of instruments and musicians within his group--while also treating each piece like a fresh canvas, ready to be turned into high art. His pleasing and pure-toned sound is used to create a hybrid style that owes as much to classical saxophone writing and left-of-center jazz work as it does to ...

ALBUM REVIEW November 30, 2009

Jacam Manricks: Labyrinth

By Eyal Hareuveni

It is quite rare to find an up-and-coming composer/musician such as Australian-born, New York-based reedman Jacam Manricks. A PhD-level composer at the Manhattan School of Music, who has already developed strong personal compositional skills on his sophomore release as a leader, his unique and elaborate compositions reveal a deep knowledge of the jazz bop legacy and modern 20th century music. With an exceptional talent for arranging, his compositions are intelligent and sometimes challenging, defying their exquisite clarity and emotional accessibility. ...