Results for "Play This!"

Craig Taborn: When Kabuya Dances

by John Chacona
December 14, 2025

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
December 11, 2025

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
December 11, 2025

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
November 19, 2025

"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
November 16, 2025

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
November 16, 2025

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
November 15, 2025

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.

Theo Travis: The Relegation of Pluto

by Geno Thackara
November 14, 2025

Saha Gnawa: Bacha Hamou

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 13, 2025

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 ...

Don Was & the Pan-Detroit Ensemble: Nubian Lady

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 12, 2025

Don Was' Groove in the Face of Adversity (Mack Avenue Records) is both a celebration of friendship and positivity in challenging times, and a heartfelt love letter to his hometown. Sneaking out from behind the Blue Note presidential desk for a moment, Was slips back behind the upright bass to shine a light on Detroit's vibrant--yet ...