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Geof Bradfield: Yes, and...Music for Nine Improvisers
by Jerome Wilson
The Compass Players was a legendary theatrical ensemble in Chicago whose members developed several improvisational games to stimulate their creative instincts. One of these was called “Yes, and..." where one person would start telling a story and everyone who followed would have to continue the story however they wished from the point the previous speaker ended. ...
Geof Bradfield: Yes, and...Music for Nine Improvisers
by Troy Dostert
Since the early 2000s, saxophonist and composer Geof Bradfield has been an integral part of the ever-fertile Chicago jazz scene, bringing his substantial talents to music that easily bridges the divide between the traditional and the avant-garde. His records have explored a remarkable range of styles and themes: from African Flowers (Origin Records, 2010), which traced ...
Johannes Wallmann: Love Wins
by Dan Bilawsky
The depths to which some factions of “civil" society will sink in order to deny others their equal rights, respect, and acknowledgement is downright depressing. But the height to which love can rise and overcome is heartening, to say the least. Pianist Johannes Wallmann is better acquainted with both of those aforementioned truths ...
Daniel Bruce: Earthshine
by Friedrich Kunzmann
In the ever-growing scene of jazz-guitar today it is getting harder to distinguish oneself from the rest of the crowd. When taking a look around current stirrings in jazz, the guitar seems to be experiencing a renaissance as the main vehicle in the genre-new formations with the instrument at their core emerging all over the globe. ...
WM Project releases debut From a Familiar Place featuring Jeremy Pelt, Marshall Gilkes and Rafal Sarnecki
WM Project has released their debut album From a Familiar Place on WM Records. While WM Project is a brand-new constellation, the musical masterminds behind it, pianist Andrzej Winnicki and tenor saxophonist Krzysztof Medyna, go back a long way. They have played together in the fusion group Electric Breakwater, and have furthered appreciation of Polish composer ...
Matt Ulery's Loom/Large: Festival
by Vic Albani
Normalmente (e specialmente in Italia) quando un Ente culturale pubblico commissiona un lavoro ad un musicista il risultato è quasi sempre--per dirla con Totò -una vera ciofeca. A Chicago per fortuna, non è così e quindi Festival, nuovo lavoro del prolifico contrabbassista e tubista Matt Ulery già titolare di ben sei lavori discografici alle spalle, è ...
Hyde Park Jazz Festival 2016
by Mark Corroto
Hyde Park Jazz Festival Chicago, IL September 24-25, 2016Regard the Hyde Park Jazz Festival as you would your favorite restaurant, where it just so happens that you are best friends with the chef. You have an embarrassment of riches because everything on the menu, which is fresh and delicious, organic, ...
Greg Ward & 10 Tongues: Touch My Beloved's Thought
by Vic Albani
Tanti ma tanti anni fa, di passaggio da quelle parti per un giro chicagoano, mi domandai cosa cavolo potesse lasciare ai posteri un posto come Peoria (capitale dell'omonima contea) a parte un celebre discorso di Abramo Lincoln del 1864 sulla schiavitù e i diritti del popolo nero, l'aver dato i natali a un paio di discreti ...
Greg Ward & 10 Tongues: Touch My Beloved's Thought
by Mark Corroto
To describe saxophonist Greg Ward's Touch My Beloved's Thought as his magnum opus is to impede his development as a composer. Let's just say for many a jazz artist, if this recording were included in their discography, it would be their signature piece. For Ward, it just represents the possibilities. The backstory to this ...
Marc Riordan/Tim Daisy: Joyride
by Mark Corroto
Critics often speak of the chemistry between two musicians. Why? Because, it is so very easy to toss out this abstract, non-quantifiable concept. Those who agree, nod. Those who differ, well they have nothing on which to challenge your statement. But here I go, Tim Daisy and Marc Riordan showcase a stellar musical affinity on their ...
