Results for "Nic Jones"
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Furthest From "Weather Bird" So Far...
by Nic Jones
I've taught jazz history classes where I've made use of the Armstrong yardstick. It's a straightforward thing involving no more than comparing and contrasting two Louis Armstrong performances from the 1920s, the latter of which is always “Weather Bird," a duet featuring Armstrong and Earl Hines, on piano. So pitting, say, “Skip the Gutter," from June ...
Wadada Leo Smith: More Than Moments in Time
by Nic Jones
Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith has been pursuing his muse for decades now; that pursuit has yielded music as singular as anything out there, as his now abundant discography testifies. The release of Ten Freedom Summers (Cuneiform, 2012) earlier this year amounts to something monumental, however, and not merely because the music pans out across four discs. ...
The Fire, Regardless
by Nic Jones
If considered together a couple of recent archival releases (The 100 Club Concert 1979 (Reel Recordings, 2012), by saxophonist Elton Dean's Ninesense and Mike Osborne Trio The Birmingham Concert (Cadillac, 2012), by the Mike Osborne Trio) and one reissue (Wilderness of Glass ((Awake, 2012), by Triton) remind us of how creative improvised music happens, regardless of ...
The Veiled Meanings of Paul Motian
by Nic Jones
While Paul Motian's music could be regarded as amalgam of the predetermined and the free, that tells only a small part of the story. Similarly, arguing that his drumming was a merging of Kenny Clarke and Sunny Murray is no more helpful, even as it hints at the freedom in his work. But at this moment ...
Tips, Festival Coverage, New Columns, Improvements and more!
by Michael Ricci
Dear fellow contributor, There's no such thing as a free lunch--but please read on for free overseas trips, free CDs, free job opportunities and more.Index 1. Festival Time!2. Looking for CDs to review?3. New Columns4. Improvements Galore5. Pros for Hire ...
Marion Brown: The Freshness after the Rain
by Nic Jones
[Editor's Note: For the inaugural installment of his new column, in which he monkeys around on the margins of jazz and improvised music, Nic Jones takes a look at the often overlooked and undervalued multi-instrumentalist, Marion Brown.]Reed player and percussionist Marion Brown's music is a singular thing. Through his associations in the 1960s--not the ...
Eddie Daniels / Roger Kellaway: Live at the Library of Congress
by Nic Jones
This is a wonderfully sympathetic duo. Pianist Roger Kellaway has an identity which brings together Ellis Larkins, Bill Evans and deep knowledge of jazz piano, whilst Eddie Daniels may be the most formidably correct clarinetist in jazz today, without ever letting technique get in the way of expression. Add to this duo's many ...
Nicole Mitchell: Awakening
by Nic Jones
This is could be called flautist Niicole Mitchell's first blowing date, although the rarefied nature of her music renders the term only loosely applicable. It's true that, in working with a quartet, she's created the right circumstances for music more reflective of the tradition to happen, but the results are no mere reiteration of a fading ...
Aki Takase / Han Bennink: Two for Two
by Nic Jones
Sparks should surely fly when two of the most creative musicians on the planet come together, shouldn't they? Well in this case, no. Pianist Aki Takase and drummer Han Bennink bring heavy experience to bear when they play, but in this case their efforts are underscored by a combination of tentativeness and heavy-handed humor.
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