Jazz Articles

Frantisek Uhlir/Darko Jurkovic/Jaromir Helesic: Maybe Later

by Jerry D'Souza
July 14, 2008

Bassist Frantiŝek Uhlíř, drummer Jaromir Helešic and guitarist Darko Jurković made a strong impact with Jazz at Prague Castle 2006 (Multisonic, 2006). They return to entice and lure with another tidy bag of tunes of which seven are originals and two are standards. While all the originals sit compactly in the mainstream, the trio finds its muse and inspiration in various strands that include swing and some fertile bop. Their impeccable sense of time and cohesive improvisation gives the album ...

Emil Viklicky Trio: Ballads And More

by Victor Verney
March 25, 2008

Emil Viklicky Trio Ballads And More Arta 2008

Pianist Kenny Barron, on several occasions, has said that in his view the ballad is what separates the wheat from the chaff with musicians. “As far as I'm concerned," he maintains, “if you can't play a ballad, forget about it!" Numerous jazz luminaries, as if in recognition of this fact, devoted an entire album to the form, including saxophonists Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Stanley ...