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Results for "Franz A. Matzner"
Bohemian Revolution: Ari Hoenig at Twins Jazz
by Franz A. Matzner
I ordered a drink from Twins Jazz’s master of ceremonies, Joseph Beasley, whose ever-pleasant attitude and energy single-handedly warmed the club’s otherwise somewhat cool atmosphere and took a look around the room. It was still early. On stage, surrounding the bass, drums, and propped open music cases lay a jumble of loose sheet music, lead wires ...
Ari Hoenig: The Painter
by Franz A. Matzner
Few drummers assume the role of composer—and with rare exception when they do, the results often sacrifice the finer points of melodic and harmonic development in favor of arrangements focused on complex tempo changes, dynamic shifts, unusual rhythmic structures, and of course, extra-long drum solos. While such pieces often successfully—and justifiably—illustrate overlooked and under-appreciated aspects of ...
Donny McCaslin: On The Way Through
by Franz A. Matzner
Saxophonist and composer Donny McCaslin has already made his presence felt on the scene for some time. Playing with a wide variety of jazz's current talents, he has developed a truly distinct voice, both as player and writer. Dedicated to pushing jazz into new realms, McCaslin's voice has never been more clear and directed than on ...
Various: Jazz Sexy
by Franz A. Matzner
It’s unusual for a compilation album to be successful. For the most part, the short glimpses of each artist presented allow only a disappointingly cursory look at their work, and even conceptually driven collections often fail to maintain consistent quality from song to song. However, none of this applies to Jazz Sexy. Culled ...
The Nels Cline Singers: The Giant Pin
by Franz A. Matzner
Pushing jazz into territory usually reserved for hardcore, ambient, and dark wave electronica, the Nels Cline Singers' latest release, The Giant Pin , employs a wide array of electronics, musical technique, and compositional audacity to produce a sonically varied, deadly experimental amalgam of genres and styles. Incorporating undulating waves of pure texture, metal-loud drum beats, and ...
Barbara Sfraga at IAJE
by Franz A. Matzner
With her recent release, Under The Moon, singer/songwriter Barbara Sfraga has proven herself one of jazz’s foremost vocalists. More than willing to step away from standard arrangements and approach multiple genres, Sfraga is not only a talented performer, she’s an innovative arranger. Catching up with Ms. Sfraga at this year’s International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) ...
Harvie S: Texas Rumba
by Franz A. Matzner
Bassist/Composer Harvie S made two good decisions when producing his latest release, Texas Rumba : he emphasized his turn towards Latin Jazz, and he recorded it live, thus presenting to best advantage his bands ability to build energy, keep loose, and entertain. Unfortunately, the latter choice compromised the sound quality, leaving the recording ...
Jane Ira Bloom
by Franz A. Matzner
Innovative instrumentalist and composer Jane Ira Bloom recently released the album Chasing Paint: Jane Ira Bloom Meets Jackson Pollock. Working with Fred Hersch on piano, Mark Dresser on bass, and Bobby Previte on drums, Bloom composed a nine movement suite inspired by her longtime interest in abstract expressionism and Pollock specifically. It was my distinct privilege ...
Dom Minasi: Time Will Tell
by Franz A. Matzner
Intersecting spirals, overlapping glissandi, free form excursions accelerating to abrupt halts. Reversals. Short melodic phrases rupturing into florid runs. The cello's persistent, mournful grace bound to the guitar's sharper, interpolating voice, both riding on, then blending with the bass's firmer, deeper resonance, gliding within and without the drums' tight pulse and rhythmic report, the runnels and ...
Angela Hagenbach: Poetry of Love
by Franz A. Matzner
Poetry of Love is an unabashedly—and surprisingly satisfying—sensual experience. Seducing the listener with her husky, alluring voice and subtle readings, Hagenbach invites listeners to participate in a maturely romantic meditation. While no individual selection represents the height of experiment or the epitome of stylization, Hagenbach succeeds where many other performers fail, sustaining a focused mood throughout ...
