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Results for "Michael Formanek"
Daniel Schnyder: The Anatomy of an Opera: Charlie Parker’s Yardbird Suite
by Victor L. Schermer
Saxophonist Charlie Parker revolutionized the world of music with his legendary approach to jazz. Unfortunately, his life was much too short and filled with tragedy. In 1955, Parker died at the age of 34 from excessive drug use. He died in the apartment of the Baroness Nica von Koenigswarter in New York City, but ironically his ...
Roberta Piket: Emanation (Solo: Volume 2)
by Karl Ackermann
The daughter of noted Austrian composer/conductor Fredrick Piket, New York native Roberta Piket took to the piano at an early age, later receiving a degree in jazz piano from New England Conservatory. Piket studied with pianist Richie Beirach, upon returning to New York and receiving an NEA grant. Years later, Beirach has demonstrated his sureness of ...
Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up: After All is Said
by Troy Collins
Tomas Fujiwara is one of the busiest drummers in New York City, with memberships in cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum's Sextet, baritone saxophonist Josh Sinton's Ideal Bread and the cooperative trio Thumbscrew, featuring acclaimed guitarist Mary Halvorson and veteran bassist Michael Formanek, among other projects. Formed in 2008, Fujiwara's flagship ensemble, The Hook Up, is one of ...
Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up: After All Is Said
by Glenn Astarita
Drummer Tomas Fujiwara's The Hook Up features artists who are among the more prominent representatives of new directions in jazz and improvisation. Here, the leader acts as an instigator and propulsive factor via his rhythmically shaped works, comprised of rolling, tumbling and splintered movements, etched with budding thematic developments. Guitarist Mary Halvorson's distinctive phraseology ...
La persistente attualità di Tim Berne
by Libero Farnè
Negli ultimi tempi sembra che Tim Berne, sessant'anni compiuti il 16 ottobre 2014, stia vivendo una seconda giovinezza e una grande maturità creativa, che lo hanno portato anche a collaborare con vari gruppi di musicisti emergenti che si potrebbero idealmente considerare suoi allievi. Dopo essere giunto a incidere per la ECM ha raggiunto un riconoscimento ancora ...
Bergamo Jazz 2015
by Libero Farnè
Sotto la direzione artistica di Enrico Rava per il quarto anno consecutivo, Bergamo Jazz 2015 ha proposto un ampio ventaglio di espressioni jazzistiche, ognuna delle quali fortemente caratterizzata; quasi a ribadire la natura poliedrica di questa musica, la ragione stessa della sua sopravvivenza, vale a dire la sua tentacolare commistione di generi, approcci e forme diverse, ...
Save the Date - Marzo 2015
by Luca Canini
Marzo. Sbocciano i festival e le rassegne. Un mese di concerti per tutti i palati, non c'è che l'imbarazzo della scelta per chi ha fame di jazz. Quindi non perdiamo altro tempo e passiamo ai consigli. Che al solito premiano solo e soltanto il meglio del meglio. 8 Marzo--Milano. Intrigante e stimolante. Il ...
Steve Olson: Conversations
by Alberto Bazzurro
Non più di primissimo pelo, il batterista Steve Olson firma il proprio esordio discografico in prima persona dedicandolo al duetto con partner differenti (in totale sei). Non essendo troppo spinto l'acceleratore sui contrasti dinamici, all'interno del singolo brano ma tutto sommato anche nel totale (prevale una sostanziale pacatezza), è praticamente fisiologico che sia l'aspetto timbrico a ...
Where Is Home: Janel & Anthony and Palo Colorado Dream: Anthony Pirog
by Glenn Astarita
Modern era guitar heroes such as Nels Cline, Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell are expressive stylists, possessing distinct ways of conveying a narrative amid branded and well-defined stylizations. No need to compare, but from a fundamental standpoint, these gents and other elite craftsmen bear the goods that often transcend the norm or anticipated methods of spinning ...
Troy Collins' Best Releases of 2014
by Troy Collins
Considering the quantity of recordings released in a year's time, attempting to compile an end of the year list mentioning every first-rate session would be difficult at best. The ten titles included below are among the most exceptional new jazz albums I've heard in 2014. Kyle Bruckmann's Wrack ...Awaits Silent Tristero's Empire ...
