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Phil Grenadier / Bruno Raberg: Plunge
by Karl Ackermann
There are conspicuously few trumpet and bass duo recordings in the archives of jazz, though the rationale is not obvious. The sonic characteristics of the two instruments work surprisingly well in the hands of disciplined artists who emphasize the creative process over fireworks. Trumpeter Phil Grenadier, brother of bassist Larry Grenadier, is teamed with bassist Bruno ...
ZBT: Out of This Town
by Karl Ackermann
There are many fine selling points for the city of Tampa, but being a “jazz Mecca" probably isn't at the top of the list. With its aspirational title, Out of This Town may be the vehicle that takes the Zach Bartholomew Trio (ZBT) from their native Florida to some greater exposure. The group's debut recording is ...
Dan DeChellis Trio: My Age of Anxiety
by Karl Ackermann
If anything in jazz approaches the status of a commodity, it would be the piano trio. The inevitable comparisons run the gamut from Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett to Cecil Taylor and, more often than not, those benchmarks are either unattainable or unsustainable. A more accessible measure may be in the ability to differentiate one group's ...
The Black Butterflies: Rainbows For Ramon
by C. Michael Bailey
The Black Butterflies is a Latin free-for-all led by reed multi- instrumentalist Mercedes Figueras, an Argentinean transplanted to New York City. Figueras and band follows up a well- received debut, 1 De Mayo (Self Produced, 2010), with Rainbows for Ramon. Reviewed in capable detail by Dan Bilawsky and Karl Ackermann, Rainbows for Ramon--and, in particular, Figueras' ...
The Black Butterflies: Rainbows for Ramon
by Karl Ackermann
When she was scarcely into her twenties, self-taught saxophonist Mercedes Figueras recorded Elefante (Self Produced, 2007) a duo recording with drummer Martin Visconte. From this initial effort, it was clear that Figueras is as fearless as she is creative. She neither tames her instrument nor lets it run wild and in the process has invented a ...
Jack Davies Big Band: The Jack Davies Big Band
by Karl Ackermann
Composer/trumpeter Jack Davies is nothing if not eclectic. His current catalog of releases includes the unusually configured chamber quartet, Flea Circus, featuring bass clarinet and accordion. Simultaneously, Davies has released a contemporary quintet collection that channels Miles Davis by way of more modern influences. While both of these recordings are stellar, Davies' crowning achievement of the ...
Hristo Vitchev / Weber Iago: Heartmony
by Karl Ackermann
Surprisingly few piano and guitar duos have been recorded in the jazz genre. Perhaps it is that the instruments work together best when the music is highly nuanced and, frankly, nuance can be boring. Bulgarian guitarist Hristo Vitchev and Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Weber Iago have managed to avoid the abyss of ennui very nicely on Heartmony, ...
David Bindman Ensemble: Sunset Park Polyphony
by Karl Ackermann
Jazz is at the forefront of the cultural renewal taking place in Brooklyn, and saxophonist David Bindman has been a quiet but leading force in that movement. Sunset Park Polyphony brings together members of the stellar quartet that last recorded under the leadership of percussionist Royal Hartigan on Blood Drum Spirit: Royal Hartigan Ensemble Live in ...
Tim Berne: Snakeoil
by Karl Ackermann
Tim Berne's previous contributions on the ECM label--guitarist David Torn's Prezens (ECM, 2005) and bassist Michael Formanek's The Rub and Spare Change (ECM, 2009)--represent some of his best work as a sideman. The alto saxophonist's first ECM release as a leader, Snakeoil, not only represents Berne at his best, but also at his most accessible. Berne's ...
Jen Allen: Pieces Of Myself
by Karl Ackermann
Jen Allen's debut as a leader, Pieces of Myself, is an eclectic collection of original compositions. Among the members of the pianist, composer and educator's sextet is her husband, saxophonist Kris Allen, and Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition finalist, Dave Baron. Allen, who studied cello prior to switching to jazz piano, draws on her broad ...
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