Jazz Articles

Terrence McManus/- Gerry Hemingway: Below The Surface

by Glenn Astarita
April 18, 2011

Guitarist Terrence McManus conveys an extensive music vernacular, tinted with percussive attributes and perceptive interactions with famed drummer, bandleader and consummate improviser Gerry Hemingway during Below The Surface Of. The duo engages a pliant game plan, executed at various pulses, and a broad soundstage that invokes an entertaining outlook, combined with blooming adventurism. The duo kicks off the festivities with “The Night Ocean." Here, Hemingway lays down a swaying, medium-tempo swing groove, underscored by his counterpart's subliminal lo-hum ...

John Butcher / Gerry Hemingway: Buffalo Pearl

by John Eyles
March 2, 2009

John Butcher's Resonant Spaces (Confront, 2008) featured the saxophonist's use of controlled feedback and recordings in large resonant spaces, trends in his recent work that emphasize the exploratory side of his playing.

This was exemplified on albums such as Cavern With Nightlife (Weight of Wax, 2004), and Geometry of Sentiment (Emanem, 2007). Astonishing as these undoubtedly are, focusing solely on those albums could give a distorted view of Butcher's oeuvre, emphasizing his experimental nature but not ...

John Butcher / Gerry Hemingway: Buffalo Pearl

by Mark Corroto
February 13, 2009

There are some combinations in jazz that are simply magic, including the duos of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli; Stan Getz and Kenny Barron; and Peter Brotzmann and Han Bennink. Add to that list the teaming of John Butcher and Gerry Hemingway. Though not a new pairing--the saxophonist and drummer became acquainted in 1993 and released Shooters & Bowlers on Red Toucan in 2001-- Buffalo Pearl is extremely compelling.

Both players are involved in projects too numerous to ...