Jazz Articles

Jackie McLean: The Jackie Mac Attack Live

by AAJ Staff
May 5, 2004

Last year, with no fanfare whatsoever, this outstanding recording was reissued by Birdology, the reissue arm of Dreyfus Records. It features one of the greatest alto saxophonists in jazz history, in a 1991 club performance, going for broke, and in the process, making an album for the ages.

McLean starts the proceedings off with a bang, spitting out the riff to “Cyclical," an up-tempo minor blues. He then proceeds to carve out a stunning, in- your-face improvisation, with all his ...

George Coleman: My Horns of Plenty

by Mark F. Turner
November 4, 2002

This reissue of George Coleman’s recording My Horns of Plenty is a real treat for those wanting to hear the sheer talent of a lesser known saxophonist. Coleman enjoyed his greatest exposure when Miles Davis, who had a knack for surrounding himself with great musicians, featured him early on in his great '60s quintet. But since then, Coleman's musicianship has not waned. The skill and depth of Coleman's playing is clearly evident on this 1991 reissue. Equally adept on soprano, ...

Bill Evans: Piano Player

by Douglas Payne
October 1, 1998

At first it's hard to tell if Piano Player is a quickie compilation or a never-issued recording. But it's a bit of both. It's a hodgepodge, really, consisting of eight never-before released songs enhanced by the Miles Davis quartet's 1958 performance of “My Funny Valentine" and two of five tracks from vibraphonist Dave Pike's excellent 1962 quartet record Pike's Peak (which, like Herbie Mann's Nirvana, also featuring Evans, should be released in its entirety).What makes Piano ...

Bill Evans: Half Moon Bay

by Douglas Payne
October 1, 1998

It's hard to believe pianist Bill Evans (1929-1980) has been gone nearly as many years as his interesting recording career lasted. In that time, Evans's influence has become one of the most pervasive of twentieth century pianists and he endures as one of the most distinctive of jazz practitioners.In addition to the many known and famed recordings Evans made, many more that were taped privately or never issued are now beginning to become available. Half Moon ...