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Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo: Face on the Barroom Floor

by Scott Lichtman
October 11, 2024

On “Face on the Barroom Floor," the duo of Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo pay tribute to Wayne Shorter by distilling one of Shorter's most beautiful pieces into its essentials. The sentiment might be interpreted as “a lovelorn individual drinks himself into forgetfulness. We hope for a happier future for him." Marsalis and Calderazzo take the ...

Article: Play This!

Sam Wilkes: When I Can Read My Titles Clear

by Scott Lichtman
October 3, 2024

Bassist Sam Wilkes is known in jazz inner circles for the beauty of his instrumental sound. Immersing yourself in the flow of his ambient compositions, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that his electric bass is the bedrock of the harmony as well as the melody and rhythm in these songs. Wilkes also ...

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Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea: Maiden Voyage

by Scott Lichtman
September 13, 2024

Few have played “Maiden Voyage" as beautifully as its composer Herbie Hancock and compatriot Chick Corea live on two pianos for their album An Evening With Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea (1978, Sine Qua Non). In fact, few improvisational piano duets have ever been performed this engagingly on any jazz material. Their minds are so harmonically ...

Article: Live Review

Ingrid Jensen Quintet At The Jazz Forum

by Scott Lichtman
September 2, 2024

Ingrid Jensen QuintetThe Jazz ForumTarrytown, NYAugust 24, 2024 Top-tier trumpeter Ingrid Jensen brought her quintet to the Jazz Forum near the Hudson River on August 23 and 24, 2024. Her ensemble included her equally accomplished sister, Christine Jensen, on alto and soprano saxophones On the second night, this exceptional ...

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El Comité: Wonderwall

by Scott Lichtman
August 30, 2024

What do you get when you form a band from seven of Cuba's top Latin jazz performers? Answer: It's a committee, or rather El Comité, a working band that first discovered their mutual talents and blended sound at one serendipitous concert together. Sure, there are other Latin jazz bands of greater renown, but this one seems ...

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Chris Dingman: Inner Child

by Scott Lichtman
August 12, 2024

Vibraphonist and composer Chris Dingman is well known amongst top-level musicians. He's played with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire and Steve Lehman; appeared on over 40 albums; and won industry critics polls. His own recordings stand out for blending technical facility on vibes with introspective ambience. “Inner Child" is one such track, an early path-setting ...

Article: Album Review

Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra: Harbour

Read "Harbour" reviewed by Scott Lichtman

by Scott Lichtman
August 8, 2024

There's something special about Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra's Harbour. Foremost, the album builds on Jensen's acknowledged talent as master composer for over 25 years. She writes songs that stimulate the emotions as well as the intellect, and she arranges them using rich, cross-instrumental blends and fresh, punctuated motifs. While Jensen already has won JUNO ...

Article: Play This!

Reuben Fowler: Too Minor

by Scott Lichtman
August 1, 2024

Here's a mystery: What happened to composer and big band leader prodigy Reuben Fowler? In 2012 to 2013, not yet much into his twenties, Fowler won 5-star ratings and numerous best-recording awards for his debut jazz orchestra recording, Between Shadows (Edition Records, 2013). Every song on the album is a highly satisfying listen, blending crisp arrangements, ...

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Us3: Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

by Scott Lichtman
July 27, 2024

Jazz often reinvents itself by melding established sounds and techniques with the latest forms of popular music. In the early '90s, jazz turned its ear to hip hop, and the first seminal mash-up appeared: “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" by Us3. It's a “funky, funky" tune based on Herbie Hancock's 1964 recording, “Cantaloupe Island." English group Us3 demonstrated ...

Article: Album Review

Audrey Powne: From the Fire

Read "From the Fire" reviewed by Scott Lichtman

by Scott Lichtman
July 25, 2024

The work of Australian-born singer, trumpeter, keyboardist and composer/lyricist Audrey Powne transcends traditional jazz styles. From the Fire (BBE Music, 2024) is a gem that melds jazz, new soul and soundtrack impressionism with penetrating lyrics to fashion a sonic journey. One first notices her impressive technique across instruments. Powne's trumpet playing swings freely. Drawing ...