Jazz Articles

Frank Gratkowski Trio: Quicksand

by Derek Taylor
November 1, 2000

The three Germans on this disc are dedicated to upholding the tradition of that expressionism in improvised music. Over the course of four lengthy compositions, which seem demarcated more in the interest of providing convenient entry points rather than delineating drastic shifts in direction, they do just that. Lovens is perhaps the best known among them. Through his longtime associations with Evan Parker and Alexander von Schlippenbach he has hammered out reputation as one of the most versatile improvisers in ...

Michael Bisio / Eyvind Kang: MBEK

by Derek Taylor
July 1, 2000

An entire program of tandem string discourse may seem at first perusal like at unsavory offering. Few are the numbers of improvising string aggregations that can make such a combination work. Fortunately, as becomes immediately apparent once the music here begins Michael Bisio and Eyvind Kang are string stylists of the strong distinction and their collective mastery of pitch and timbre allows for an infinite array of sonic possibilities. Bisio has collaborated with some of the legends of creative music ...

Axel D: Claque

by Derek Taylor
July 1, 2000

On the surface the two geographical parts of this trio seem like a somewhat unlikely gathering of talents: German brassman Dörner is perhaps best known stateside for his work with the Berlin Contemporary Orchestra and Alexander von Schilippenbach. Lonberg-Holm and Zerang are Windy City regulars as well as frequent bandmates. The opportunity for the three to convene presented itself in a Chicago studio and fortunately for us they capitalized on it.

The techniques favored by all three players are anything ...

Matthew Goodheart: Songs From the Time of Great Questioning

by Derek Taylor
February 1, 2000

Meniscus is a new label founded by writer Jon Morgan whose work has appeared in such notable creative music journals as Cadence, Coda and the Wire. Recognizing the importance of documenting the music first hand Morgan took up the crusade of elevating the visibility of improvisers whose names are often not as widely circulated as some of their peers - an especially risky enterprise when one considers the economics of creative improvised music. A further distinction for Meniscus is found ...

John Butcher: Music on Seven Ocassions

by Derek Taylor
February 1, 2000

John Butcher is an established improviser in the European creative music milieu. His exceptional approach to reed playing has been chronicled on numerous recordings, but until recently the majority of these releases have been limited to European circulation or as expensively priced imports. His new disc on Meniscus offers a two-fold benefit for listeners unfamiliar with his music. First it delivers a generous helping of music at an extremely affordable price. Second, and more importantly, the disc places Butcher in ...

Matt Renzi/Masa Kamaguchi/Jimmy Weinstein: Lines And Ballads

by Jim Santella
December 1, 1999

With each member of the trio fulfilling an equal role, Renzi, Kamaguchi and Weinstein have put together a session of exciting modern mainstream jazz that’s both creative and lyrical. With nods to several of the original builders of this idiom - Max Roach, Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk – the trio comes out quite fresh and unique. Jimmy Weinstein, who studied with Max Roach at the University of Massachusetts, performs his own tribute, “Dear Max," as ...

Matt Turner: The Mouse That Roared

by AAJ Staff
September 1, 1999

Right at the top, it goes for the throat: the bowing is muscular, and miles from serene. Matt Turner paints a grainy theme, full of tension: the low string grunts, the others respond. At times there’s a peaceful excursion, one string musing in violin range – and soon we return to unison vigor. It’s improvised with the feel of ‘20s avant-garde; bending traditions with a sense of order. The audience appreciates, and so do I. That’s just a taste; the ...

Matt Darriau Paradox Trio: Source

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 1999

The Knitting Factory’s long time commitment to the “Jewish Alternative Movement” has spearheaded some bona fide gems of late, one of which is Source by Matt Darriau’s Paradox Trio. Multi-reedman, Matt Darriau is one of the early proponents of melding jazz, Balkan/Mediterranean and klezmer music. Here, the Paradox Trio continue their cross-genre plight while serving up a highly entertaining potpourri of mainly traditional themes which annotate the provincial aspects of eastern territories.

Darriau’s composition, “Turkic” paints vivid imagery of perhaps ...