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Laurence Hobgood: When the Heart Dances
by Joel Roberts
Laurence Hobgood is one of those artists whose undeniable talents beg the question, “Why isn't he better known?" In Hobgood's case, part of the reason may be that he's spent most of the past decade and a half in a supportive role, as pianist and musical director for singer Kurt Elling--a pretty good gig, but one ...
An Edifying Evening of Gerry Mulligan Gold
Bill Charlap waited until almost the last possible moment in The Gerry Mulligan Songbook, a tribute at the 92nd Street Y, before divulging a sentimental piece of trivia. It was in that room, he said, where he played his first concert with Mulligans quartet, in 1988. The evidence suggests that it was a fine debut: a ...
Show Tunes, Through a Jazz Wringer
When he was a teenager, the jazz pianist Bill Charlap recalled at the 92nd Street Y on Tuesday evening, he met the composer Jule Styne and asked him for the secret to writing a good popular song. Mr. Styne, choosing his words carefully, replied that it had to be “melodically simple and harmonically attractive.” Mr. Charlap ...
Montreal Jazz Festival: Days 7-9, July 7-9, 2009
by John Kelman
Days 1-3 | Days 4-6 | Days 7-9 Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae Charlie Haden Family and Friends / Bill Frisell QuartetVan Der Graaf Generator / Ornette ColemanFestival International de Jazz de Montreal Montreal, Quebec, Canada July 7-9 2009 Every year the Festival ...
Hilary Kole: Jazz at the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival
August 2 - Two sets: 6 pm and 8 pm Cooperstown, NY -- The Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival kicks off its 11th season August 2 with jazz vocalist Hilary Kole and her trio. Hilary Kole co-created and originated the lead female roles in the award-winning Off-Broadway musicals, “Our Sinatra." and “Singing Astaire.” Her first solo album ...
Antonio Ciacca: Bringing People Together Through Swing
by John Barron
Antonio Ciacca knows a thing or two about multi-tasking. The New York-based pianist is a tireless statesman of jazz, composing music for his own small groups, arranging for various big bands and working as Director of Programming for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Adding to all of this, Ciacca and his wife are busy raising five children ...
Other Places: Charlap on Improvisation
Last Friday, Leonard Lopate of WNYC radio in New York invited Bill Charlap to drop by the studio where Lopate does his Please Explain program and talk about how jazz improvisation works. Seated at the piano, Charlap spoke clearly about the raw materials of music and showed what jazz players do with them in the act ...
Phil Woods: Philology
by George Kanzler
When pianist Jim McNeely replaced Hal Galper in the Phil Woods Quintet in 1990 it was the current winner--repeating in 1991--of the Downbeat Readers Poll as top jazz small group. But, as McNeely remembers, his first days with the alto saxophonist's band included a benefit concert for the local volunteer fire department in Delaware Water Gap, ...
The Blue Note 7 Finding New Facets in a Treasury of Old Diamonds
The Blue Note 7, appearing through Sunday night at Birdland, upholds an extremely clear agenda with crisp results. Assembled as a tie-in to the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records, the group has an album, Mosaic, featuring new versions of classic tunes from the labels catalog. And this weeks run concludes a tour that began at ...
Ravi Coltrane: Changing and Blending Times
by R.J. DeLuke
Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, he of the inescapable surname, is continuing to grow both as a musician and a person. His playing these days contains more maturity; a sense of exploration, combined with a sureness of attack and a brawny sound.The growing musical proficiency is documented on Blending Times (Savoy Jazz, 2009). Coltrane and his ...
