Home » Search Center » Results: Michael Kocour
Results for "Michael Kocour"
Unhinged Sextet: Clarity

by David A. Orthmann
The mainstream of jazz could use more recordings like Clarity, a recently released venture by the cooperative Unhinged Sextet. On every track there's something genuinely enjoyable and thought provoking going on, yet the disc doesn't suffer from information overload. The sense of excessive exertion, overt athleticism, sanctimonious references to key points of the jazz tradition--not to ...
Michael Kocour: Wherever You Go, There You Are

by Jack Bowers
Wherever You Go, There You Are is akin to visiting pianist Michael Kocour's living room or den for an hour or so and lingering while he entertains you with his singular takes on a number of favorite songs, most of which you've probably heard before but seldom played as well as this. Kocour's lyrical style has ...
Michael Kocour: Wherever You Go, There You Are

by C. Michael Bailey
Solo piano recitals have a refreshing quality about them. The instrument's and by proxy, the performer's, thoughts are undiluted and benefit from the lack of competition with other voices. Pianist, composer, and educator Michael Kocour offers a collection of standards and originals that provide a case-in-point. In an even ten selections, Kocour carves a collection of ...
Unhinged Sextet: Clarity

by Edward Blanco
The debut recording from one of the most exciting new groups around, Clarity documents a boppish session of straight ahead traditional jazz delivered by the Unhinged Sextet, a well-seasoned cast of players from all corners of the country who have joined forces for this dynamic recording. Led by pianist Michael Kocour, Director of Jazz Studies at ...
Michael Kocour: Wherever You Go, There You Are

by David A. Orthmann
Wherever You Go, There You Are, Michael Kocour's energetic, deeply focused, imaginatively performed solo recital, is a patchwork of eight, twentieth-century jazz and popular songs, as well as two of the pianist's original compositions. On the one hand, Kocour is clearly cognizant of the original intent and the performance history of material ranging from Con Alma," ...
Two OA2 Records Releases Featuring Pianist Michael Kocour

by Mark Sullivan
Two recent releases from OA2 Records feature piano playing and production by Michael Kocour, a longtime member of the Chicago jazz scene (and a regular sideman with the late James Moody and Benny Golson). He has been director of jazz studies at Arizona State University since 2004. Unhinged Sextet Clarity OA2 ...
The Nash Second Anniversary in Phoenix

by Patricia Myers
The Nash Second Anniversary The Nash/Private Home Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona October 31, November 1-2, 2014 There's something about the way Lewis Nash plays drums. No, there's everything about the way he plays drums--selectively, tastefully, underplaying vs. bombastic; in a word, elegantly. Nash's classy combination of swing and sophistication was abundantly evident during ...
37th Paradise Valley Jazz Party at Scottsdale Hilton Resort

by Patricia Myers
37th Paradise Valley Jazz Party Scottsdale Hilton Resort Scottsdale, Arizona March 22-23, 2014 An A-team of East Coast, West Coast and Arizona musicians played a mix of swing and bebop sounds in 14 jam-session-style sets at the 37th annual Paradise Valley Jazz Party. A special element at this party ...
35th Paradise Valley Jazz Party

by Patricia Myers
35th Paradise Valley Jazz PartyMusical Instrument MuseumPhoenix, AZApril 21-22, 2012A kaleidoscopic history of jazz was delivered during three sessions of the 35th annual Paradise Valley Jazz Party, from post-bop, ballads and blues to a swinging recreation of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France.Peak moments that elicited the ...
Starry Night

By Jackie Allen
Label: Avant Bass
Released: 2009
Track listing: So Many Stars; When In Rome; Star Eyes; I've Never Been In Love Before; You Must Believe In Spring; Moon of Deception;
Lost In the Stars; If You Never Come to Me; Star Medley; Vincent (Starry Starry Night); Star Dust