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Hrayr Attarian's Best Jazz Albums Of 2023
by Hrayr Attarian
There are many best of year lists that cover the essential releases of 2023. In order not to repeat what others have done, more eloquently than me, I might add, I decided to list ten albums that personally “spoke" to me over the past year. They cover wide range of styles and feature an international cast ...
Three Gems of Creative Music from Relative Pitch: Works by Madison Greenstone, Camila Nebbia, and Maria Valencia
by Hrayr Attarian
Over the past dozen years, the New York-based label Relative Pitch has diligently promoted improvised music. Founded by Kevin Reilly and the late Mike Panico, the imprint boasts a roster of artists that range from stalwarts in the field of creative music to promising newcomers. Below are reviews of three prodigious woodwind players' solo 2023 releases. ...
Ivo Perelman: Tuning Forks
by Hrayr Attarian
Intrepid improviser and tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman takes his explorations in yet another direction on the captivating Tuning Forks. A duet with vibraphonist Matt Moran, this richly textured work primarily draws inspiration from the musical and healing properties of vibrations. For this, and subsequent releases, Perelman resurrects his previously defunct label Ibeji. The overall ...
Jahari Stampley: Still Listening
by Hrayr Attarian
Chicago-based pianist Jahari Stampley is a definite prodigy. Raised in a musical family, Stampley, like his mother, also composes and plays other instruments. His debut Still Listening is a mix of four solo and five ensemble tracks, all his originals, which also showcase his leadership skills. The unaccompanied pieces are gems of musical virtuosity. ...
Christian Dillingham: Cascades
by Hrayr Attarian
Chicago bassist Christian Dillingham is a truly versatile musician. In addition to excelling at various genres, including jazz, western classical and gospel, he appeared on singer Kirk Franklin's Grammy winner Long Live Love (RCA 2019). Dillingham is also an accomplished educator, composer and bandleader. He demonstrates these skills as he leads his quartet on his debut ...
Kaisa’s Machine: Taking Shape
by Hrayr Attarian
On her captivating second release, Taking Shape, Finnish bassist Kaisa Mäensivu demonstrates her singular talents as a composer and a bandleader. She is again at the helm of her cohesive group, Kaisa's Machine. It has been six years since her debut, years during which she established herself in her new hometown of New York. Her writing ...
Matt Peterson: Better Worlds
by Hrayr Attarian
Chicago pianist Matt Peterson is a versatile artist who defies genres. He is both an accomplished, bop-based improviser as well as a sensitive interpreter of the Western classical tradition. Both elements of his style come together on the exuberant and captivating Better Worlds, a collection of 10 of his originals as well as a unique arrangement ...
Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling
by Hrayr Attarian
Guitarist Charlie Apicella and his organ trio Iron City are solidly based in the hard-bop mainstream. However, some of their releases are flavored with other motifs, partially by virtue of the guest artists. For instance, the tribute to legendary guitarist B.B. King, Payin' the Cost To Be the Boss (CArlo, Music, 2016), with an augmented sextet, ...
Two Previously Unreleased Gems from Abbey Rader's Catalogue
by Hrayr Attarian
Drummer Abbey Rader is a restless improviser and a master of Eastern spirituality. His artistry and devotional practice are inextricable from one another. This union of meditative philosophy and spontaneous creativity gives Rader's style its uniqueness and his recordings their absorbing quality. In 2023 Rader released two live sessions on his own label that were recorded ...
Jon Raskin / Phillip Greenlief: 2 + 2 with Jen Baker & Liz Allbee
by Hrayr Attarian
Innovative saxophonists Jon Raskin and Phillip Greenlief use graphic scores for a series of recordings, each with a similar pair of instruments. These collaborations are called 2 + 2. The first of these is the provocative 2 + 2 with Jen Baker & Liz Allbee. As the title indicates Raskin and Greenlief join two brass players, ...
