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Barbara Sfraga: Under The Moon
by Franz A. Matzner
In most cases standards either serve as magnifying glasses, quickly revealing technical deficiencies, or as buoys offering support for performers gifted with technical skill but little creative ingenuity. In the rarest of cases, however, standards can act as reflecting pools for an artist’s full range of abilities, and such is the case with ...
Jane Bunnett: Cuban Odyssey
by Franz A. Matzner
Equal parts ethno-musicological study and experiment, Cuban Odyssey offers a captivating investigation of native Cuban music as interpreted by flautist and soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett and her husband, trumpeter Larry Cramer. Latin influences have been prominent in jazz since at least the 1940s, with new evidence suggesting that Afro-Cuban and other Latin based structures were integral ...
McCoy Tyner: Land of Giants
by Franz A. Matzner
Aptly named, McCoy Tyner’s Land of Giants transports listeners into a sound world of varied and stunning topography. Featuring Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Eric Harland on drums, and Charnett Moffett on bass, this recording stands as a monument to Tyner’s stature as bandleader, player, and composer. Always commanding, Tyner’s strength permeates each piece ...
Ya-Ya Fornier: Bearcat
by Franz A. Matzner
Termed a “debut” album, Bearcat features vocalist Ya Ya Fornier, veteran saxophonist David Murray, and bassist Jaribu Shahid, along with a score of guest musicians. Though this album represents the first recording venture for Fornier, wife of the late Vernel Fornier, it is certainly not the first time Ya Ya has been around recording, which may ...
Rhonda Thomas and Michael Coppola: Guess Who I Saw Today
by Franz A. Matzner
It has always seemed to me to require an inordinate amount of confidence and courage to sing at all, let alone to showcase one’s voice in the pared down, natural environment chosen by Rhonda Thomas and Michael Coppola for their duo release, Guess Who I Saw Today. Let it be said from the outset that both ...
Maye Cavallaro and Mimi Fox: Hearts
by Franz A. Matzner
The Redhead Records release Hearts places singer Maye Cavallaro in a challengingly minimalist setting. Accompanied by guitarist Mimi Fox, as well as Paul McCandless on reeds and Ian Dogole on percussion, Cavallaro offers 12 tracks, each a personnel rendition of standards ranging from Ellington to Paul Simon. Mimi Fox’s versatile and expressive guitar ...
Eric Alexander: Nightlife In Tokyo
by Franz A. Matzner
"Nemesis," the opening track of Eric Alexander’s latest release, Nightlife in Tokyo, encapsulates within its twisting motif and exotic garb both the positive and negative qualities of the album. The motif is compelling, but only because it is so reminiscent of Coltrane tracks like “India” and “Naima.” The tune provides a utilitarian launching pad for Alexander’s ...
Dave Ellis: State of Mind
by Franz A. Matzner
A severe gap exists between technical facility and profound expression. The jazz world has become flooded with technically adept performers, and whether they’ve come up from within the rigorous university system or the art institutes, they all display a studied command of their instruments, harmony, sight-reading, and composition. They’ve all been tested, certified, and approved; they’re ...
Ron Carter: The Golden Striker
by Franz A. Matzner
Most renowned—and in some ways unfairly so—for his tenure with the famed Miles Davis Quintet, Ron Carter has remained a renowned figure of jazz for so long that it is difficult to imagine a jazz fan who could be wholly unaware of his contributions to the evolution of the upright bass, as well as jazz music’s ...
Jeff Ray: The Walkup
by Franz A. Matzner
Fully embracing electric jazz, Jeff Ray’s new release Walk Up is a politely laid-back jam album dominated by Ray originals. The combination of Ray’s guitar and Aaron Swinn’s soft keyboard work with Daryl Hall’s electric bass and Victor Wise’s seventies-influenced drumming creates a consistently mellow atmosphere. Tunes like “Hot Music" and album highlight, ...
