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Article: Liner Notes

Lage Lund: Idlewild

by C. Andrew Hovan
December 29, 2023

An open and revealing format for any artist, the jazz trio offers rewards on many levels. Left in veracious hands, there is a spacious pocket that can be filled by any number of rhythmic and harmonic ideas, not to mention a freedom in melodic phrases which don't have to be constrained by strict chordal structures. On ...

Article: Year in Review

C. Andrew Hovan's Best Albums of 2023

by C. Andrew Hovan
December 22, 2023

Even as it seems the media has yet again touted music this year that seems to stray from the tradition, there's still a wealth of artists issuing viable music that looks ahead while also respecting jazz's deep legacy. Furthermore, the vinyl renaissance continues to bring us troves of unearthed gems along with old favorites dressed in ...

Article: In Pictures

Bill Charlap Trio at the Treelawn Music Hall

by C. Andrew Hovan
December 8, 2023

Over the past decade or so, Cleveland's Waterloo District has been known primarily for its artsy community and for the frequent concerts that occur at the renowned Beachland Ballroom. With the majority of the shows at that venue coming from the rock and alternative genre, jazz has not been given a prominent voice in the area. ...

Article: The Vinyl Post

Blackstone Legacy

by C. Andrew Hovan
November 9, 2023

When trumpeter Woody Shaw passed away in 1989, he left behind a wealth of amazing music, notwithstanding the realized sadness inherent in wondering what more he could have accomplished had he lived a longer life. Back in the mid '60s, Shaw was ubiquitous as a sideman recording iconic albums with the likes of Larry Young, Horace ...

Article: Album Review

Waking Vision: The Breathing Earth

Read "The Breathing Earth" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan

by C. Andrew Hovan
October 29, 2023

In terms of its history and current crop of talented musicians, Pittsburgh is a stellar music city that somehow always gets overlooked when considering the USA's major music centers. A world-class guitarist, comfortable in both jazz and popular realms, John Shannon cut his teeth in high school working with such Pittsburgh luminaries as Eric Kloss and ...

Article: Live Review

Shakti 50th Anniversary Tour at Hill Auditorium

by C. Andrew Hovan
September 27, 2023

Shakti Hill Auditorium University Musical Society's 145th Annual Season Ann Arbor, Michigan September 14, 2023 Having learned his lessons well during his brief stay with Miles Davis in the late '60s, guitarist John McLaughlin has never let any grass grow under his feet, embracing many styles and following his creative ...

Article: Multiple Reviews

OJC Rides Again: Bill Evans & Mal Waldron

by C. Andrew Hovan
September 24, 2023

Although it wasn't coined specifically for the collection, the idea of an “embarrassment of riches" is perfectly suited to describe the vast holdings of the Fantasy Records firm. Starting out as a small west coast concern, their success with the group Creedence Clearwater Revival allowed them to expand their operations in 1971. The address of Tenth ...

Article: Liner Notes

Lage Lund: Idlewild

by C. Andrew Hovan
August 19, 2023

Article: Multiple Reviews

Anest, Kendrick, & McKinney: Live at the Blue LLama, Volume 1 & 2

by C. Andrew Hovan
August 18, 2023

When it comes to talent, there's no shortage of gifted jazz artists that call Michigan their home. The Jones brothers long ago put Detroit on the map, but water-tight music programs at Michigan State and the University of Michigan have produced a thriving community of vital musicians. On any given evening, there's live jazz to be ...

Article: Liner Notes

Jonathan Kreisberg: Night Songs

by C. Andrew Hovan
August 13, 2023

Although technical proficiency and filigreed improvisations often catch the attention of the average jazz fan, those in the know will insist that you can't really evaluate the mettle of a jazz musician until you hear how he interprets a ballad. Memorable efforts from the jazz cannon that fruitfully establish a reflective mood over the length of ...