Jazz Articles about

Various: Latin Party

by Jerry D'Souza
October 1, 2010

The appeal of Latin music can be witnessed in the inroads it has made, not only into other genres, but also into different cultures. Testimony comes on this recording. Besides South American countries like Colombia, Cuba and Mexico, the performers are drawn from the UK, France and the USA who assimilate the rhythms and come up with several interesting idioms.The music certainly has a party atmosphere and it gets right off the bat with “Big Apple Boogaloo." The ...

Various: Magic Moments 4: Jazz Is Cool

by Bruce Lindsay
August 29, 2010

Germany's ACT Music is an innovative and adventurous label with an international roster that includes some genuinely cutting-edge musicians including Vijay Iyer and Dan Berglund's Tonbruket. Magic Moments 4: Jazz Is Cool is the fourth in ACT's sampler series and a great place to begin exploring the music it has to offer. The majority of the tracks here come from Northern European artists and demonstrate the range of talent that is emanating from that relatively small part ...

Various: Rhythm & Blues

by Jerry D'Souza
March 1, 2010

Putumayo World Music has gone across a wide spectrum in picking songs for its look at Rhythm & Blues. The American presence is strongly manifested, but artists from England, including a band that has a singer from Panama, show the wide influence of the music. Vintage singers strut their stuff and new acolytes blend styles while the impact of R&B is undeniable. Fame may have eluded some and others flitter on the fringes of history, nevertheless they all poured their ...

Brubeck / Mingus / Davis: Columbia 50th Anniversary Releases

by David Rickert
June 9, 2009

These three CDs are flagship releases from the Columbia catalog (remember those old blue Columbia Jazz Masterpieces editions?) and it's worth contemplating how fertile and varied a jazz scene existed in the late 1950s when you look as these albums as a trio, and perhaps throw in trumpeter Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue (Columbia, 1959) as well. Each is among the best known recordings of the respective artist's career, and essential library items for the burgeoning jazz fan. It's always ...

Instant Karma: Amnesty International's Campaign To Save Darfur

by Woodrow Wilkins
December 30, 2007

Various Artists Instant Karma: Amnesty International's Campaign To Save Darfur Warner Bros. 2007

Humanitarian efforts have long been an element of popular music. Band Aid, Farm Aid and a plethora of relief concerts have shown the compassionate side of artists. Now, a host of performers have come together to raise money to benefit the people of Darfur. Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur is a two-disc set featuring the music of ...

Various: New Orleans Brass

by Jerry D'Souza
December 6, 2007

Marching bands are an integral part of New Orleans. Where would a parade be without one, or for that matter a funeral? No matter what the role is, they bring in a special magic and joy.

Music evolves as it imbibes and imbues other genres. Marching bands were no exception, as they pulled in different sounds including rhythm and blues and funk as well as gospel, which served them well. This sampler dovetails on the heritage and the ...

Various: Live - Jazz Legends

by Martin Gladu
November 25, 2007

Despite the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's conservative jazz radio programming, one would be hard-pressed to extirpate negative comments from musicians about the behemoth, as all have come to respect its continued presence and assistance maintaining an appreciative national audience. Indeed, true to its mission statement, the multi-platform state-owned network has always proactively fostered domestic talent, providing artists much-needed exposure in addition to availing them of its state-of-the-art infrastructures. Moreover, one could try and argue these premises, inhabited by the spirits of ...