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Mike Westbrook Orchestra: Catania
by Ian Patterson
A major figure in British jazz since the late 1950s, composer-pianist Mike Westbrook continues to write, perform and record at a rate of knots which would leave contenders half his 83 years on the ropes. Four albums since 2016, including--after a gap of forty years—not one but two solo piano recordings, are testament to the creative ...
Michael Leonhart, Rava, Lovano, Zappa & Other New Releases
by Ludovico Granvassu
From previously unreleased recordings of Frank Zappa to the much-anticipated new album by the Michael Leonhart Orchestra and the exciting collaboration between Enrico Rava and Joe Lovano, this week we delve into another stash of really exciting new releases. Happy listening! Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & ...
20 Bands You Didn't Know You Can't Live Without
by Ludovico Granvassu
There is a treasure-trove of jazz gems away from the usual labels, venues, websites... one has just to look around and search for it. This week we feature bands whose quality may have not been matched by their international commercial success... but that's often the curse of excellent music that goes off the beaten path. Since ...
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2019
by John Kelman
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal Various Venues Montréal, Canada June 27 -July 1, 2019 Forty years. Not a lifetime, perhaps, but a remarkably long time for any festival to not only continue to exist but, despite increasing challenges, to thrive. An even greater achievement when it's the Festival International de ...
Michael Eaton: Dialogical
by Troy Dostert
A saxophonist and composer with uncommon ambition, Michael Eaton seems to recognize no limits whatsoever on his craft. He's played in virtually every style imaginable: free improvisation, Latin jazz, post-bop, classical, reggae and rock, just to scratch the surface--and he keeps company with a cross-section of today's cutting-edge players, including James Brandon Lewis, Michael Attias and ...
Experimentalists: Talking with Adam Berenson, Dana Jessen, and Abdul Moimême
by Karl Ackermann
The newly opened Théatre des Champs-Elysées was sold out on the night of May 29, 1913. The well-heeled Parisian audience had come to enjoy the much-anticipated premiere of Igor Stravinsky's “Rite of Spring" which featured the choreography of the acclaimed Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. Some accounts of what transpired that night appear to be exaggerated. ...
Moppa Elliott: Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band
by Jerome Wilson
Bassist Moppa Elliott is best known as the leader of the surrealistic jazz group, Mostly Other People Do The Killing, but his musical universe, encompassing work with symphony orchestras and new music ensembles, stretches much farther than that band's frantic music. This is reflected in this 2 CD set of Elliott leading three different types of ...
Thundercat: On Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, Erykah Badu and the great LA jazz renaissance
by Rob Garratt
When, a few years back, the mainstream media began breathlessly anointing the arrival of a West Coast-born jazz “renaissance," Thundercat's name was invariably invoked second in the evidence list— behind, of course, that of his childhood buddy Kamasi Washington. While Washington's career has gone stratospheric—with a summer co-headline tour alongside Herbie Hancock the latest summit mounted—Thundercat ...
The Bizarre World of Frank Zappa Tour at The Paramount
by Mike Perciaccante
The Bizarre World of Frank Zappa Tour The Paramount Huntington, NY April 24, 2019 Frank Zappa was one of the most eclectic and influential musicians for the 20th Century. The musician, composer, activist and filmmaker's work and career exemplifies nonconformity, improvisational musical themes, sound experiments and technical musical virtuosity. Satire of ...
Kenner: 8Ball City
by Patrick Burnette
Although the promotional material indicates that keyboardist/producer/composer Eitan Kenner was experiencing personal turmoil during the creation of 8Ball City, the music is upbeat, almost giddy. Helium powered synths spin out surging melodies against compound rhythms and chord progressions climb ever heavenward. Call it “happy prog," complex, cheerful music that nods to Frank Zappa without getting clenched ...
