Results for "AAJ Staff"

Deep Cuts: Ray Charles, "Am I Blue" (1959)

February 28, 2011

By Nick DeRiso “Am I Blue" is a largely forgotten argument for Ray Charles' striking ability to synthesize jazz, blues, country and gospel into music with a broader appeal. That's saying something, considering that it appears on The Genius of Ray Charles, a half-big band/half-strings Atlantic release that became one of his most celebrated efforts. Charles ...

Hal Singer Feat. David Murray - Challenge (Marge, 2010)

February 28, 2011

This was a very interesting collaboration between saxophonists Hal Singer and David Murray. Aided my Murray's core band of Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Jaribu Shahid on bass and Hamid Drake on drums, the group develops a nice swing feel that is less of a tenor battle and more of a friendly conversation. The saxophone tones contrast ...

My Friend Teo

February 28, 2011

Contributed by guest blogger Dr. Dave Schroeder, Director of Jazz Studies at NYU Steinhardt I actually organized this interview session with Teo along with John Snyder from Artists House Music and was present at the session to direct traffic. I had gotten to know Teo Macero back in 2003 when I became director of Jazz Studies ...

John Williams: Guitar Recital

by AAJ Staff
February 27, 2011

John WilliamsGuitar RecitalDecca Records1996 (1959) In 1958, guitar virtuoso John Williams was a gifted teenager, and had studied with Andres Segovia. In that year he recorded an album of primarily Segovia-inspired (or themed) compositions from the growing classical guitar repertoire. The album, Guitar Recital (originally released on ...

George Shearing's Gentle Piano Jazz on Riffin Radio Show Today at 4 PM

February 27, 2011

The celebrated piano jazz of Sir George Shearing who died last week at age 91 will be the dominant factor of this Sunday (February 27) Riffin show aired weekly between 4-6 PM ET on University of the West Indies (UWI) radio, News Talk 93FM. Riffin is hosted by renowned, Washington DC based musicologist Dermot Hussey. British ...

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Chris Potter Goes Underground

February 27, 2011

This week, let's check in on saxophonist Chris Potter, who's bringing his electric band Underground to St. Louis next week to Wednesday, March 2 through Saturday, March 5 at Jazz at the Bistro. Potter, who just turned 40 last month, played St. Louis most recently in January 2009 with ...

Sat Eye Candy: Journey

February 27, 2011

STILL THEY RIDE With one song Journey went from being a big band to a worldwide sensation that continues to this day. Jonathan Cain, the co-writer of “Don't Stop Belivin,'" turns 61 today. Already a well-established musician and member of the charting band The Babys with future solo star John Waite, Cain left to join Journey ...

In Studio with Pianist Vijay Iyer

February 27, 2011

CLICK TO HEAR AUDIO The Vijay Iyer Trio's latest release, Historicity, won a number of “Album Of The Year" awards in 2010 and has been nominated for a 2011 Grammy as “Best Jazz Instrumental Album." Pianist, Vijay Iyer, seems pleased by this recognition but not really fazed by it. In fact, during his trio's visit to ...

Happy Birthday, Dexter Gordon!

February 27, 2011

Gary Sellers - Soul Apparatus (2011)

February 27, 2011

Photo from Gary Sellers' websiteBy Nick DeRiso Blues guitarist Gary Sellers has a depth of passion, and a delicate touch at melding styles, that belies his youth. Whatever grade he's in, though, Sellers has done his homework. Listening to his new recording Soul Apparatus, you hear Gregg Allman in Sellers' vocal delivery, and a playing style ...