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Martí Mitjavila: Somebody Nobody Loves
by Artur Moral
Jack Bowers, our esteemed elder statesman, made it quite clear in his article James Danderfer: If Not Now that the clarinet, once one of jazz's signature instruments, is currently experiencing hard times. But it is not all bad news. Whether on the formerly more popular soprano clarinet or the more solemn--and experimentation-friendly--bass clarinet, luminaries ...
Craig Taborn: When Kabuya Dances
by John Chacona
With every passing year, the genius of the late Geri Allen increasingly comes into focus. “When Kabuya Dances" has all the hallmarks of her style: memorable melodies, a sophisticated approach to rhythm and formal audacity. Allen had left Detroit for Howard University shortly before Craig Taborn arrived at the University of Michigan, but he might have ...
Aretha Tillotson: Sad Junie (to Highway Jake)
by John Chacona
If the average fan living south of the 49th Parallel knows anything about jazz in Canada, it might begin and end with Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall. Yes, Toronto is emerging as a great jazz city and there are all those players from Nanaimo, but in between, nothing, right? Bassist Aretha Tillotson is here to explode that ...
Torben Westergaard: Feliz Navidad
by Geno Thackara
Beyond the usual holiday songs played to death all the time, and the endless gimmicky covers of same, it's too easy to forget the spirit of goodwill intended to be at the center of the season. Trust Torben Westergaard to (thankfully) throw away the tinsel and let that simple sentiment speak for itself... maybe with a ...
Rigmor Gustafsson: Calling You
by Jerome Wilson
"Calling You" is a song introduced in the 1987 comedy, Bagdad Cafe. With its floating melody and evocative lyrics, the song is haunting and memorable no matter who performs it. Jevetta Steele sings it beautifully in the movie itself, and it has been covered by the likes of Jeff Buckley and Celine Dion. The most remarkable ...
Gianni Coscia: Sigla 1950
by Ludovico Granvassu
If Gianni Coscia were Korean, he would have been declared a “Human Cultural Asset," the title bestowed upon individuals recognized for their mastery and role in preserving national culture. But he's not Korean, so he may be more accurately described as an Italian living national treasure--a poet laureate trapped in the body of an accordionist.
Ian Torres: The Legend Of The Prince Of Darkness?
by Artur Moral
Trying to describe the nature of Ian Torres' latest work, Comprovisation (Self Produced, 2025), with a single word, it would be intriguing. Presented on November 20, 2025 at the Fulton Street Collective in Chicago, the new album mixes spontaneous creation, unwritten composition and studio work. Here, radically acoustic timbres--tenor sax, trombone, drums and his own trumpet--meet ...
Scary Pockets & Frankfurt Radio Big Band: Sweet Child O' Mine
by Geno Thackara
Take a quirky group that specializes in cleverly funkified pop and rock covers with a rotation of top-shelf guest stars. On top of the novelty and fun factor, what's a nice way to elevate the recipe another step? Sharing the live experience with a big brassy band may be their best answer to date.
Saha Gnawa: Bacha Hamou
by Ludovico Granvassu
Even though Saha Gnawa is co-lead by Moroccan master musician Maâlem Abdellah Ben Jaafer--genuine Gnawa royalty--the project was actually born in Brooklyn, sparked by his collaboration with drummer Daniel Freedman and growing from late-night sessions into a full-fledged band. Their self-titled debut includes notable guests, among them Donny McCaslin and, on this track, “Bacha Hamou," Nels ...
