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Steps Ahead: Trains
by Scott Lichtman
"Trains" by Steps Ahead, represents an apex of a certain era of jazz-rock fusion. The band was a supergroup, featuring Michael Brecker on saxophone, Mike Mainieri on vibraphone and rotating top names filling out guitar, drums, bass and keys. By the mid-'80s, the band had evolved from an acoustic sound to one based more on synthesized ...
David Sanborn: First Song
by Ludovico Granvassu
There are many ways to remember David Sanborn and we decided to turn to the album that, in our conversation about his collaboration with Hal Willner, the legendary saxophonist described as his favorite, and also happens to be our favorite, Another Hand (Elektra Musician, 1991). It dates back to the time when Sanborn and Willner worked ...
Junius Paul: Asé
by Scott Lichtman
Bass lovers unite! For those who adore the dexterity, the groove, the sheer “plunk" of a crisply-recorded upright bass, check out “Asé" by Junius Paul. The piece opens with an anthemic motif that quickly transforms into a beehive of motion. Paul continues this jaw-dropping flurry of sound until he shifts into a modal groove that welcomes ...
Duke Ellington: Isfahan
by Ian Patterson
Part of Duke Ellington's Far East Suite (1967), “Isfahan" took its inspiration from a visit to the city of Isfahan, Iran, in 1963. Of the ancient city Ellington wrote: “everything is poetry," a sentiment transferred beautifully to this most moving of Strayhorn/Ellington compositions. Curious too, to see Ellington holding the sheet music for soloist Johnny Hodges. ...
Remembering Albert 'Tootie' heath
by Ian Patterson
Drumming great Albert 'Tootie' Heath played with a who's who of jazz greats, from John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins to Wes Montgomery and Nina Simone. He recorded all too infrequently as a leader, probably because he was so in demand for other people's projects. This clip from the 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival finds Heath in the ...
Yotam Silberstein: Never Let Me Go
by John Chacona
In his heyday, tenor saxophonist George Coleman bulled through the changes with the single-minded muscularity of heavyweight boxer Joe Frazier bearing down on an opponent. When Big George was on, the changes didn't stand a chance. He's slowed down a bit, but like many distinguished predecessors, what Coleman has lost--or abandoned--at racehorse tempos is more than ...
Stefano Di Battista: La Vita è Bella
by Scott Lichtman
"La vita è bella" ("life is beautiful" in Italian) is one tune whose title truly captures its essence. Alto saxophonist Stefano Di Battista leads his quintet through this peppy, hummable bebop piece, a remake of the movie theme of the same name. As the drummer's brushwork flies by at 160bpm, Di Battista and trumpeter Matteo Cutello ...
Rudder: Lucky Beard
by Mike Jacobs
It's hard to figure how a band populated by esteemed players such as Henry Hey (keys), Tim LeFebvre (bass), Chris Cheek (sax) and Keith Carlock (drums) could remain so firmly off so many people's radar. While Rudder's penchant for staying off the beaten stylistic path may have something to do with this, it also makes them ...
