Jazz Articles

Tim Kuhl: King

by Troy Collins
May 17, 2009

An excellent example of post-modern musicianship, drummer Tim Kuhl has led a diverse career since relocating to New York City in 2003. A classically trained percussionist, he has held a steady residency in the East Village with his jazz ensemble and played with a slew of rock bands, including The Izzys, The Junkman Band, Less Than Treason, and Magnets for Teeth.

King, his second album as a leader, features the powerhouse front line of tenor saxophonist Jon Irabagon, ...

Tim Kuhl: Ghost

by Elliott Simon
February 17, 2009

This sextet, put together by drummer Tim Kuhl for his debut, has a big sound while also incorporating unique voices. Most specifically, trombonist Rick Parker and guitarist Nir Felder combine to differentiate this release from the rest of the pack by broadening the sonic palette in a way that adds surprising twists to strong compositions. Saxophonist JC Kuhl and pianist Mark Aanderud blend into this mix exceedingly well, the former evincing a crisp clean touch and the latter, on both ...

Rick Parker Collective: Finding Space

by Troy Collins
June 4, 2007

New York-based trombonist Rick Parker follows up his 2004 debut New York Gravity (Fresh Sound New Talent) with Finding Space, a winning combination of lyrical writing, intricate arrangements and spirited improvisation. Winner of the 2005 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, Parker has proven his mettle as an up-and-coming writer, and it is his composing and arranging skills that make the greatest impression on his sophomore album.

Parker's writing is clever but not impenetrable, honeyed and sumptuous rather than ...

Rick Parker Collective: Finding Space

by Dan McClenaghan
January 9, 2007

You gotta love a good album cover, even if a photo of a big goofy-looking dog has nothing to do with the music. But why not--Matt Jorgensen did it with Hope (Origin Records, '04), and there was some first-rate modern-leaning stuff on that disc. The same goes for the Rick Parker Collective's Finding Space.Parker is a young--not yet thirty years old--New York-based trombonist with some serious chops; but it's his bandleading and composing skills that stand out most. ...