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Desmond White: Short Stories
by Dan Bilawsky
Size and substance are not reflective of one another. Some people mistakenly assume that grand-scale productions automatically deserve grand-scale receptions and small- scale artistry deserves to exist on the fringe. That makes about as much sense as holding a belief that novels, by their very nature, are of greater importance than short stories, but some people ...
Kenny Barron/Gerry Gibbs/Ron Carter: Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio
by Dan Bilawsky
When drummer Gerry The Thrasher" Gibbs was a youngster, growing up in California in the '70s, he idolized bassist Ron Carter and pianist Kenny Barron. Of course, neither man played his instrument of choice, but he recognized the greatness that emanated from both players and he viewed them as exemplars of what's right and good in ...
John La Barbera Big Band: Caravan
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily--and the triple-legged image on its national flag--are also known as the Trinicria." That name translates as--and also describes--the triangular shape of the island. Whether that's a geo-historical lesson or not, the three La Barbera Brothers--John, Joe and Pat have established themselves as a most formidable familial trio in jazz history, ...
Rob Derke & The NYJAZZ Quartet: Blue Divide
by Dan Bilawsky
Saxophonist Rob Derke--the man behind the jazz-promoting nonprofit known as the NYJAZZ Initiative--significantly widened his reach with Mad About Thad (Jazzheads, 2011). That album, a finely sculpted tribute to the great trumpeter-composer Thad Jones, helped to shine a light on Derke's organization and brought more deserved attention to the music of a dearly departed legend. Now, ...
Romain Pilon: Colorfield
by Bruce Lindsay
French guitarist Romain Pilon might have been inspired in his early years by AC/DC's Angus Young, but he's clearly taking his cues from much calmer influences on Colorfield. Pilon is accompanied by tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, double bassist (and Whirlwind Records owner) Michael Janisch and drummer Jamire Williams on this atmospheric collection. Colorfield ...
Dave Sharp's Secret 7: Worlds
by Glenn Astarita
Poll-winning Detroit-reared bassist Dave Sharp (Killer Joe Trio, The Melvins) takes you around the world in a little under an hour. Here, the bassist gathers a large international cast, appearing on alternating tracks. Following Secret Seven (Blue Pie, 2010), the artist extends his reach but still interconnects Western and Eastern modalities with the jazz vernacular. One ...
Charles Evans: Subliminal Leaps
by Eyal Hareuveni
On his six release as a leader young baritone saxophonist Charles Evans chose to feature a chamber jazz quartet that is inspired by the innovations of contemporary music of the twentieth century. Evans wrote pieces specifically for veteran sax master Dave Liebman, playing only the soprano sax here, and his musical vision is realized with two ...
Gary Smulyan & Dominic Chianese: Bella Napoli
by Larry Taylor
Some concepts that seem far out, turn out to be right on. That is the case of the unlikely musical combination which comes together in the entertaining CD Bella Napoli--a salute to popular Italian song classics. Two greats pull this all together: acclaimed poll winner Gary Smulyan on baritone sax and actor-singer Dominic Chianese, well known ...
Duke Ellington And His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows Vol. 17
by Chris Mosey
Don Lowe's exultant cry, Here he is, and in person, the Duke himself!" kicks off the 17th of the Duke Ellington Treasury Show radio broadcasts, part of a massive reissue project by the Danish Storyville label. Anxious to show how hip, perhaps even hep, he is, the American Broadcasting Corporation announcer goes on ...
Elliott Sharp Aggregat: Quintet
by Glenn Astarita
Elliott Sharp is one of New York downtown scene's more notorious affiliates, primarily heralded for his avant-garde guitar work, spanning jazz improvisation, jazz-rock, and blues-rock. He's also an accomplished reedman, evidenced on Quintet and previous ventures into the free-jazz space. Sharp once again aligns with like- minded New York-based artists, some of whom are leaders, and ...

