Results for "ECM Records"

Konstantin Rega's Best Jazz Albums Of 2024

by Konstantin N. Rega
December 16, 2024

Every year is a good year for jazz. With homages to more traditional styles as well as exciting innovations that push musical boundaries, there's never a dull moment. 2024 kept the good vibes flowing; it was a superb year for playful interpretations, various musical fusions and sophisticated performances. Bloom Bill Laurance ...

Jakob Bro, Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, Thomas Morgan, Andrew Cyrille: Taking Turns

by Neil Duggan
December 14, 2024

Despite being recorded a decade ago, this album from Danish guitarist Jakob Bro sounds as fresh and contemporary as any 2024 release. Taking Turns was originally recorded in New York in 2014; the album release was delayed by ECM Records, who initially preferred to highlight Bro's trio work. The postponement proves fortuitous, as Bro's melodic compositions ...

Neil Duggan's Best Jazz Albums Of 2024

by Neil Duggan
December 10, 2024

When writing a review, an album receives intense, repeated listening. Once the review is completed, attention swiftly shifts to the next musical work. During breaks from critical listening, these albums remained favorites, enjoyed simply for the pure pleasure they brought. Albums by Oded Tzur (reviewed here) and Lynne Arriale (reviewed here) could also be added to ...

Arild Andersen: Landloper

by Neil Duggan
December 9, 2024

The stark elegance of Arild Andersen's bass playing has been inspiring and entertaining audiences since the 1970s. He first gained prominence as a member of the Jan Garbarek Quartet, performing alongside Jon Christensen and Terje Rypdal, and was among ECM's first recording artists. Throughout his career he has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries including Sonny ...

Lawrence Peryer's Jazz & Beyond for 2024

by Lawrence Peryer
December 7, 2024

I very much enjoy the moment we are in for improvisatory and creative music. So many traditions are coming into contact and interacting with each other: jazz cats, indigenous practitioners, electronic music experimenters, modern composers and many others. The breakdown and blurring of genre divides and dogma is something I revel in. “Collision Music," to quote ...

Benjamin Lackner

Born in Berlin to an american father and a german mother, Benny Lackner, moved to California at the age of 13. He received his BFA from the California Institute of the Arts under the direction of Charlie Haden and David Roitstein. From 1997-1998 he studied privately with his mentor, pianist Brad Mehldau. He has performed at numerous jazz festivals including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux and Monterey. He has worked with artists such as the late Billy Higgins, Marc Ribot, Brad Shepik, Pheeroan akLaff and is now residing in NYC and Berlin where he is working with his internationally touring trio as well as a sideman and composer.

Mike Jurkovic's Best Jazz Albums Of 2024

by Mike Jurkovic
December 5, 2024

It has been, to say the least, one hell of fright night year. But here is the music that stayed with me, through thick and thin, and all manner of human foible and political upheaval. Vijay IyerCompassion ECM Records Kris Davis

Doug Collette's Best Jazz Albums Of 2024

by Doug Collette
December 4, 2024

These may not have been the only titles that provided respite from the inane insanity (insane inanity?) around us this year, but each in its own way commanded deep and abiding attention in and of itself. Mary Halvorson Cloudward Nonesuch Records Satoko Fujii Jet Black ...

Chris May's Best Jazz Albums Of 2024

by Chris May
December 3, 2024

In case you missed the sad news, our dear friend and compatriot, Chris May, passed away in November (read our tribute). Below are the albums he considered extraordinary in 2024--a final testament to his discerning taste and love of sound. -mR Rob LuftDahab Days Edition Records

Florian Weber: Imaginary Cycle

by Alberto Bazzurro
November 29, 2024

Una musica molto composta--nella doppia accezione--suddivisa su quattro suites centrali più un prologo e un epilogo, è quanto ci giunge da questo nuovo lavoro, certamente ambizioso, del quarantasettenne pianista e compositore tedesco Florian Weber, già allievo di John Taylor a Colonia, Joanne Brackeen e Paul Bley a Boston, Richie Beirach e Lee Konitz a New York. ...