Home » Jazz Articles » Ava Mendoza
Jazz Articles about Ava Mendoza
It's (Never) the Final Countdown, Part Trois
by Patrick Burnette
After a couple episodes away, we return to the New York Times list of best jazz albums of 2023 and finish it off. It's happier days for the most part. The boys acknowledge that these selections are all, more or less, actually jazz, and some are even pretty enjoyable.Playlist Discussion of Matana Roberts' album Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation Records) 3:03 Discussion of Jonathan Suazo's album Ricano (Ropeadope) 25:54 Discussion of Micah Thomas' album Reveal ...
read moreMendoza - Hoff - Revels: Echolocation
by Glenn Astarita
In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary jazz, Echolocation emerges as a bold exploration of sonic frontiers. Crafted through the collaborative virtuosity of Ava Mendoza on guitar and Devin Hoff on bass, this project embarks on a musical journey which delves deep into the avant-garde jazz realm, blending experimental rock, electric jazz, and the limitless creativity of neo-psychedelia. The album commences with “Dyscalculia," a track which weaves the raw energy of metal with the intricate layers of free jazz, ...
read moreAva Mendoza, Daniel Karlsson, Makiko Hirabayashi, Hannah Marks & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
From wall of sound albums to projects of sparse beauty, this week we cover the whole sonic gamut, with a special attention to the trio format, because... three is the perfect jazz number!Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" Mondo Jazz Theme 0:00 Daniel Karlsson Trio “Bus Stop Story" Sorry Boss (Howgling Jazz) 0:16 Host talks 5:04 John Scofield “Mask" Uncle John's Band (ECM) 6:22 Host talks 12:51 Makiko Hirabayashi ...
read moreMendoza / Hoff / Revels: Echolocation
by Troy Dostert
Among today's leading guitarists fusing the power of rock and avant-garde jazz--a list that has to include Nels Cline, Marc Ribot, Mary Halvorson and Brandon Seabrook--Ava Mendoza may be the one with the strongest link to the punk tradition. All the evidence one needs is on Echolocation, a project by Revels, her close collaboration with bassist Devin Hoff, on which the pair are joined by saxophonist James Brandon Lewis and drummer Ches Smith. With eight deviously crafted songs expertly navigating ...
read moreAva Mendoza, Vijay Anderson, Stephen Gauci: Studio Sessions Vol. 4
by Alberto Bazzurro
Free jazz della più chiara (e abbastanza indiscriminata, acritica) acqua è quello che ci accoglie da subito in questo album, inciso nel febbraio 2019 e pubblicato alla fine di quello stesso anno. Vi figura uno degli elementi più interessanti delle nuove leve del jazz (in realtà classe 1983, ma si sa che oggi, musicalmente parlando, si diventa maggiorenni attorno ai quaranta) come la chitarrista Ava Mendoza, ma il deus ex machina dell'operazione, nonché editore dell'album (ricorda un po' quei ragazzini ...
read moreWilliam Parker: Mayan Space Station
by Mark Corroto
The immediate impact of the recording Mayan Space Station is that of a sheer out-and-out physicality presented by this music. While it is obvious the musicians—guitarist Ava Mendoza, bassist William Parker and drummer Gerald Cleaver—are engaged in the nonautomatic operation of their respective musical instruments, their Herculean efforts are conspicuous. While rarely recognized, credit must be given to engineer Jim Clouse who recorded, mixed and mastered this session to center the listening experience on the band's energy. ...
read moreNate Wooley: Seven Storey Mountain VI
by Jerome Wilson
Since 2007 trumpeter Nate Wooley has been producing compositions in a song cycle collectively called “Seven Storey Mountain." The first one was performed by a trio and each succeeding version has included a greater number of musicians. The newest one, the sixth of an eventual seven iterations, is performed here by fourteen players including three vocalists. It is a compelling and heart-wrenching musical epic. one uninterrupted 45-minute piece which combines pre-recorded tapes and live performance. Part of the ...
read more
Giveaway
Days remaining: 7
