Jazz Articles
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Jake Hertzog: Evolution
by Ian Patterson
Guitarist Jake Hertzog's previous recordings as leader, Chromatosphere (That's Out, 2009) and Patterns (Buckyball, 2010) created a stir, with reviewers comparing his talent to just about every jazz and rock guitarist who's ever been described as a legend, from the 1940s on. What this hints rather broadly at is Hertzog's cross-generational approach and stylistic variation which define his music, though he's essentially a modernist. The effusion of comparisons has, perhaps, heaped heavy expectations on both the guitarist--still only 25--and listener, ...
read moreJake Hertzog: Evolution
by Mark Redlefsen
Evolution is the third solo outing from guitarist Jake Hertzog, Guitar Player Magazine contributor and member of the rock band, The Young Presidents. Although the album appears weighted towards jazz fusion, it is the rock-inflected phrases woven into the music that saves it from running into all-too-familiar jazz guitar footprints. The generational sound of this recording is only slightly more youthful than Marc Ribot or Nels Cline, its title referring, perhaps, to the advancement of an unapologetic brand of jazz-rock ...
read moreAlon Nechushtan: Words Beyond
by Glenn Astarita
Pianist Alon Nechushtan is in the thick of things, amid a vibrant New York City jazz culture that often spawns deviating tangents and inventive ideologies. Indeed, the pianist reveals astounding technical faculties and a far-reaching approach to composition. Nechushtan's jazz-klezmer band TALAT, amid numerous forays into modern jazz and unconventional settings, intermittently gels to the beat of a markedly different drummer The program conveys Nechushtan's unbounded vision, as he overhauls the tried and true. With the musicians' pristine ...
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by Dan Bilawsky
Playing jazz can be like driving a car. Sometimes you can sit back, rely on cruise control, and simply revel in a straightforward journey, but more precise maneuvering is often required. Lightning quick reflexes, an ability to comfortably navigate hairpin turns, and a strong directional sense are equally important, and pianist Alon Nechushtan exhibits all of these traits from behind the driver's seat on Words Beyond. The left-leaning klezmer jazz that Nechushtan delivered with his Talat band ...
read moreMarc Wagnon: Earth is a Cruel Master
by John Barron
It took multi-instrumentalist Mark Wagnon an entire year to record and mix Earth is a Cruel Master, an engaging collection of original jazz-rock grooves with whirlwind melodic themes and robust improvisations. Known primarily as a vibraphonist, the New York-based Wagnon also plays drums, marimba, keyboards and various percussion instruments throughout the recording. Aided by guitarist Van Manakas, electric bassist Leo Traversa and, on a couple of tunes, upright bassist Danny Stone, the disc has the raw sound of a live ...
read moreTunnels: The Art of Living Dangerously
by John Kelman
In the heyday of progressive rock and fusion bands, Britain's Brand X may have gained attention first and foremost because of the involvement of Phil Collins, who at the time was the drummer and new lead singer of Genesis, yet to become the pop pariah he would in subsequent years. But the band member who was truly the most innovative, imaginative and stylistically incomparable was Percy Jones, a bassist who, had he been working in North America with exposure to ...
read moreTunnels: Progressivity
by Glenn Astarita
Jazz-rock gets a college education with this ensemble’s third release. The trio receives some bonus coverage thanks to modern jazz violinist Mark Feldman and “Brand X,” guitarist John Goodsall’s inspiring performances. In fact, the now legendary “Brand X” aggregation features the members of “Tunnels:” Percy Jones (bass), Marc Wagnon (midi vibes) and Frank Katz (drums). Hence, the musicians maintain an ongoing working relationship--much to our delight. The group dishes out a program consisting of polytonal ...
read moreMarc Wagnon: An Afterthought
by Glenn Astarita
Many of us have been anticipating the reissue on CD of Swiss vibraphonist Marc Wagnon's late 80's LP titled, Shadowlines. Wagnon, a member of the much beloved New York prog-rock/modern jazz outfit 'Dr. Nerve', along with the powerhouse prog/fusion band Tunnels and a lengthy tenure with the infamous 'Brand X' has done the modern jazz community a favor by reissuing this gem. Here, Wagnon enlists the audacious talents of trumpeter, Dave Douglas, saxophonist Bob Malach, Dr. Nerve guitarist Nick Didkowsky, ...
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