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The Harborfields High School Jazz Band celebrates community in premiering Alan Ferber's arrangement of Abdullah Ibrahim's 'The Wedding'
In a time when isolation and distancing seemed to define school settings, the Harborfields High School Jazz Band sought to cut against the grain and promote the joys inherent in the communal nature of music and creative expression. In early 2021, the band’s director—veteran educator and noted jazz journalist Dan Bilawsky—decided to follow through on a ...
Trefoil: Ambrose Akinmusire, Kris Davis, and Gerald Cleaver at The Bop Stop
by C. Andrew Hovan
Trefoil: Ambrose Akinmusire, Kris Davis, and Gerald Cleaver Bop Stop Cleveland, Ohio March 20, 2022 With a distinguished resume that includes his 2007 wins in both the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire still finds himself traveling under the radar ...
Krantz, Carlock, Lefebvre At Bop Stop
by C. Andrew Hovan
KCL: Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock, Tim Lefebvre Bop Stop Cleveland, OH February 25, 2022 Back in the late '90s, chameleon-like guitarist Wayne Krantz started building a reputation by banding together with bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Keith Carlock for a residency at The 55 Bar in New York. By sharing their ...
C. Andrew Hovan's Best Recordings of 2021
by C. Andrew Hovan
Even as it seemed that jazz continued its trajectory into the outer limits, there was no lack of pure swinging excellence to experience this past year. Although many of these releases probably flew under the radar of jazz followers with wider ranging tastes, this reviewer always finds it necessary to remind us all how vital and ...
Renee Rosnes: Kinds of Love
by C. Andrew Hovan
When Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes decided to make her mark in the jazz world, she wasted no time, making an auspicious start as a member of Joe Henderson's all-female quartet in 1986. Fast forward thirty-five years and her career continues to advance on an upward trajectory. Her third offering for Smoke Sessions, Kinds of Love, is ...
Orrin Evans: The Magic of Now
by C. Andrew Hovan
The pandemic brought with it a shift in sensibilities for many musicians as they navigated new and unfamiliar waters. There were pros and cons of all this activity, with many streaming events and weighty recording projects taking place. Few of the albums coming from that period speak with such authority and freshness as the set at ...
Con Alma: Keeping Pittsburgh Jazz Thriving in Trying Times
by C. Andrew Hovan
Not mentioned nearly enough as a locale that nurtured some of jazz music's most memorable artists, Pittsburgh can boast a jazz history that is unparalleled, especially for a city of its size. Just a partial list of icons that hailed from the area would include Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Erroll Garner, George Benson, and Stanley Turrentine. ...
Jordan VanHemert: I Am Not A Virus
by C. Andrew Hovan
It was bad enough that 2020 brought with it the scourge of a pandemic of proportions not seen in a hundred years. But add to that the ugliness of racial tensions and xenophobia and one would be hard pressed to grapple with the idea of much good coming from such adversity. Michigan educator and saxophonist Jordan ...
Greg Skaff: Polaris
by C. Andrew Hovan
The pandemic year of 2020 brought with it very little in terms of artistic endeavors, thanks to lockdowns and stay home orders. Yet even under extreme conditions, guitarist Greg Skaff managed to commit to tape some genuinely sublime music that is sure to be remembered as one of 2021'a most memorable releases. Of course, Skaff has ...
Paul Desmond: The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings
by C. Andrew Hovan
Even if he had never played another note following the break-up of the Dave Brubeck group in 1967, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond would have entered the history books as one of music's most brilliant improvisers. During his 17 years with Brubeck, Desmond proved himself to be an indispensable part of that quartet with a wistful and ...
