Jazz Articles

Gilbert Isbin Group: Water With A Smile

by Mark Sabbatini
May 6, 2005

Belgian guitarist Gilbert Isban is a formidable nylon finger-picking veteran on everything from classical to avant-garde. He makes his debut as a composer and arranger on his 13th album--and in this case, that proves to be a lucky number.

Water With A Smile is another of those albums purporting the equation Latin + world + acoustic folk/rock = innovative jazz but listening to these dozen songs, it's clear that's exactly what this is. Vocalist Lea Van Loo and ...

The Vinny Golia Quintet: One, Three, Two

by John Kelman
April 6, 2005

Sometimes adversity can engender the most remarkable responses. Woodwind multi-instrumentalist Vinny Golia and his quintet had landed in Belgium the morning of September 11th, 2001, having taken off from New York a few hours before the terrible tragedy of the World Trade Center/Pentagon attacks, only then to discover what had happened. When the promoters gave the group the option of cancelling the tour and trying to find its way back home, the musicians decided to stay and play because, in ...

Joe Fonda & Gilbert Isbin: Blisters

by Jerry D'Souza
October 20, 2003

Joe Fonda and Gilbert Isbin, partners in time, create vivid imagery via the many manifestations of sound they take their instruments through, over, and across. What is more remarkable is that they do it with an astute aesthetic: there is no howl or cry in their music. What they have is rhythm, a pulse and a kinetic energy that constantly bristles.

The compositions are credited to Fonda and Isbin, but the heartbeat lies in the improvisation that gives ...

The December Thirty Jazz Trio: Free For 3

by Jerry D'Souza
October 10, 2003

It is said that time and tide wait for no man. Time, however, has waited for this piano trio. The group's first recording, The Street One Year After, was released in 1991. Since then they have released two more, both in the last decade. As for the tide, it still roars in their favor. The brand new music on Free For 3 feels electrifying, emerging from the heartland of musicians who have an apparent affinity with each other. It is ...

Michael Jefry Stevens: The Survivor's Suite

by Jerry D'Souza
October 10, 2003

Michael Jefry Stevens is a fluid player who finds his comfort level not only on the cool side but also through free jazz and instant improvisation. His touch is both delicate and hard hitting, stopping short of bombast when he ventures into the latter. The balance is visible on this solo record not only in his choice of material, but also in his treatment of the songs, particularly in his interpretation of 'Ask Me Now.' His phrasing has an elegance, ...

The December Thirty Jazz Trio: Free For 3

by Jerry D'Souza
August 25, 2003

It is said that time and tide wait for no man. Time, however, has waited for this trio. Their first recording, The Street One Year After, was released in 1991. Since then they have released two more, both in the last decade. And now, here they are again with one more. As for the tide, it still roars in their favour. The music is at once electrifying, emerging from the heartland of musicians who have an apparent affinity with each ...

Chris Joris: Songs For Mbizo

by Glenn Astarita
September 19, 2002

Belgian pianist/percussionist Chris Joris recorded these sessions with tubaist Bob Stewart and South African bassist Johnny (Mbizo) Dyani back in 1976. Sadly, Dyani passed away in 1988, while additional tracks emanating from 1991 sessions featuring Stewart and a conglomerate of European artists round out this effort.

Joris' knowledge and implementations of wide ranging rhythmic structures come to fruition on this gem of a release. Throughout these pieces, Joris performs on berimbau (including a lovely duet with Stewart), various ...

Joe Fonda: When It's Time

by Michael A. Parker
December 1, 2001

It would be a mistake to try and situate this record in a continuum of solo bass works that have been created in the past 30 years, starting with Barre Philips and Motoharu Yoshizawa's work in the late 60's.Joe Fonda is not on some kind of mission to redefine the bass and its role in contemporary music; he's not a Dresserian guru of extended techniques or someone who has a concept of solo bass that's independent of his ...

Ben Sluijs & Erik Vermeulen: Stones

by Glenn Astarita
November 1, 2001

The Belgium-based, 'Jazz Halo' modern jazz label was founded five years ago and has already amassed a noteworthy catalogue, featuring respected artists such as bassist, Joelle Leandre and saxophonist, Oliver Lake while also highlighting the abilities of Belgian jazz musicians. Such is the case with this new release titled, Stones, which is a short story (included in booklet format) by writer, Emile Clemens, artfully set to music by alto saxophonist, Ben Sluijs and pianist, Erik Vermeulen.

Perhaps lesser known on ...

Joelle Leandre & Ryoji Hojito: Sapporo Duets

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 2001

Here, Ms. Joelle Leandre displays her consummate artistry alongside the very impressive pianist, Ryoji Hojito for a series of somewhat playful duets, featuring the artists' verbose musical dialogue and ornate textures. Through it all, the duo institutes an abundance of sub plots as Ms Leandre's resonantly wooden tone provides radiant contrast to the pianist's percussive block chords and flailing arpeggios. However, Hojito artfully toggles between working within the prepared piano style format and more conventional methodologies amid these ten untitled ...