Jazz Articles

Ellen Rowe Quartet: Wishing Well

by Raul d'Gama Rose
June 10, 2010

Ellen Rowe's uniquely modern sensibility echoes throughout Wishing Well. Rowe is a virtuoso pianist who blends the dreamy abstractions of nineteenth century impressionism with the nervous energy of a bebop player. She plays as she breathes--sometimes in shallow gasps indicating an extreme sense of urgency, and at other times in seemingly endless runs with dallying notes and interminable phrases as if her lungs, filled with air, have propelled her arms and fingers into an endless sequence of events. Both aspects ...

Ellen Rowe Quartet: Wishing Well

by Woodrow Wilkins
May 15, 2010

Sometimes, less is more. In the case of Wishing Well, the Ellen Rowe Quartet delivers plenty of good sound, simply by playing rather than trying to be trendy. Rowe has been part of groups led by musicians as diverse as Ray Charles and John Zorn. Born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, she began playing piano by ear at the age of 4. Her jazz studies began in high school. Accompanying Rowe are saxophonist Andrew Bishop, bassist Kurt Krahnke ...

Ellen Rowe Quartet: Wishing Well

by Bruce Lindsay
May 2, 2010

Wishing Well is a beautifully crafted second album from the Ellen Rowe Quartet. Composer, arranger and pianist Rowe, a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Music, formed the quartet in 2002, releasing her debut, Denali Pass (PKO Records), in 2005. Two albums in an eight-year history ensures that the band will never be labeled as prolific, but sometimes the best things are worth waiting for--and Wishing Well has certainly been worth the wait. The ...

Paul VornHagen: Kindred Spirits

by Dan McClenaghan
June 22, 2004

The opener on multiple-reedman/vocalist Paul VornHagen's Kindred Spirits, “Namely You," kicks the set off on a relaxed straight-ahead vibe, with the leader blowing a robust tenor sax lead. The sound feels loose, like Ben Webster—Ellington's most famous tenor saxophonist—playing out in front of a bunch of top-notch accompanists. Cal Tjader's “Mindanao," featuring VornHagen on flute, takes things into a more propulsive and urgent mood.The surprise, after two great instrumental tracks, is Burton Lane's “Your My Thrill." VornHagen's high ...

Randy Napoleon and Jared Gold: Enjoy The Moment

by Mark F. Turner
December 20, 2003

Organ trios are prevalent these days with groups such as the neo-funksters Medeski Martin & Wood and Soulive, post-modern boppers Larry Goldings and Sam Yahel, and continuing offerings from veterans Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joey DeFrancesco. From the greasy grooves of Jimmy Smith to the sophisticated lines of Larry Young, imitators and disciples are continuing the quest to B-3 heaven. Add guitarist Randy Napoleon and organist Jared Gold to the list with their new trio recording Enjoy The Moment.

Centered ...

Organissimo: Waiting For The Boogaloo Sisters

by C. Michael Bailey
July 25, 2003

Organissimo injects their unique brand of organ trio music with a shot of James Brown. Drummer Randy Marsh, more often that not, lays down a greasy funk, supported by organist Jim Alfredson's pedals--more like a Friday Night fish fry than chicken and ribs by the river. Guitarist Joe Gloss applies a sheen of respectability to this grease before he turns up the calories and really sends the funk into overdrive. And this is all before you get beyond the opener, ...