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Article: Interview

Marshall Gilkes: Relishing Big Band Success

by R.J. DeLuke
February 23, 2015

Marshall Gilkes is a trombonist of monster chops and great taste whenever he puts the brass to his lips in any performance. He's seen sitting in the trombone section of the Maria Schneider Orchestra in recent years, and has associations with other big bands, either subbing in, or as a member of the WDR Big Band ...

Article: Interview

Billy Harper: A Life of Persistence and Improvisation

by R.J. DeLuke
November 19, 2014

On stage, Billy Harper puts his lips to the tenor saxophone, stands relatively erect and sings through his horn; a strong, angular, muscular sound. There little physical gesticulation, belying the effort it takes to express feelings and emotions through the instrument. But Harper's creative statements demand attention. Over the last few years, a lot ...

Article: Interview

Cecil McBee: Masterful, And Always Equipped

by R.J. DeLuke
November 17, 2014

Cecil McBee is one of the finest bass players on the scene, a status he's held among musicians for many years, even if the public is slower to pick up on the achievements of this 79-year-old musician extraordinaire. A natural, he was quick to connect with musicians in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. But ...

Article: Interview

Jon Irabagon: Examining All The Angles

by R.J. DeLuke
October 13, 2014

Saxophonist Jon Irabagon likes challenges in music; likes attempting different things. He's not opposed to things traditional, but would prefer to come at music and sounds from different angles. He enjoys the journey; enjoys experiencing the results. At 35, he's on the go all the time, ubiquitous on the New York City music scene. ...

Article: Interview

Wil Blades: Groooooovin'

by R.J. DeLuke
September 17, 2014

"I love the blues," says Wil Blades, a Hammond B3 whiz who didn't come to the instrument until he left his hometown of Chicago and was going to college in California. He doesn't remember specific instances of being struck by a blues thunderbolt, but “I remember hearing it. It's part of the feeling I get when ...

Article: Interview

Eric Revis: Trajectory From The Tradition

by R.J. DeLuke
August 26, 2014

The development of an individual voice on the contrabass is important to Eric Revis, one of the strongest players on the scene. His power and musicianship has endeared him to some of the finer musicians, and bands, in jazz. But Revis isn't content to let things lie there. Not that he has to be ...

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Article: Interview

Idris Muhammad: Coming to Grips with His Greatness

by R.J. DeLuke
August 6, 2014

This interview was originally published on May 2002. “Style? No, I just play, man. I don't really have a style. Just being able to play music is a style, you know?" says the veteran drummer master Idris Muhammad in his laid-back and understated style. Others know better than to take that self-effacing ...

Article: Interview

Lenny Pickett: Equal Opportunity Explorer

by R.J. DeLuke
August 4, 2014

Lenny Pickett is one of those tenor saxophonists who people have heard over and over and, if they're not paying attention, they don't realize it. If they are listening, they will probably pick up on his wailing altissimo phrases and his ballsy, funky sound. He's one of those players, like David Sanborn, who has ...

Article: Live Review

Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival 2014

by R.J. DeLuke
July 9, 2014

Saratoga Performing Arts Center Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival Saratoga Springs, NY June 28-29, 2014 Perfect weather accented this years Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, an event that had an eclectic mix of young musicians with interesting ideas and approaches, and veterans who deliver consistently. The weather is always a factor ...

Article: Interview

Orrin Evans: Hot Irons In The Fire

by R.J. DeLuke
July 7, 2014

A pianist with great chops, great touch and an attack that fancies many influences from fierce swing to gospel, Orrin Evans is one of the outstanding creative musicians on the New York City scene. His work, no matter what the context--and he loves different contexts--is downright riveting at times. But for the 38-year-old who ...