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Iiro Rantala: Goldberg Variation III

by Scott Lichtman
July 18, 2024

Finnish pianist and composer Iiro Rantala (pronounced “Ee'-ro Rahn'-tah-lah") is a grand master of jazz, classical music, and film scores; he even serves as a UN goodwill ambassador. Give him a Django Reinhardt-like gipsy swing piece, or an Art Tatum stride, or a Keith Jarrett solo improv, and he'll respond with even greater flow, tighter precision, ...

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Richie Beirach: Sea Priestess

by Scott Lichtman
July 4, 2024

Pianist Richie Beirach has been a foundation of the jazz community since the '70s, having released over 70 albums through 2022. His style combines romanticism with a dissonant compositional flair. His music, usually expressed in solo, duet and trio formats, sounds exceptionally intimate. Beirach could create chemistry with most anyone and has collaborated with luminaries such ...

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Angela Bofill: Tonight I Give In

by Scott Lichtman
June 30, 2024

Angela Bofill was a majestic soul/jazz/pop vocalist starting in the '70s and '80s. Slightly older than the more well-known Anita Baker, Bofill recorded stunning ballads that highlighted her impeccably sweet tone and emotional interpretations. “Tonight I Give In" epitomized the “Quiet Storm" genre. Bofill passed away on June 13, 2024, but for her fans, her tracks ...

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The Bad Plus: Flim

by Scott Lichtman
June 21, 2024

The 2001 first album from The Bad Plus was a shot across the bow for redefining the piano trio genre. Covering bands from ABBA to Nirvana and offering original compositions that swung, whispered and pounded, pianist Ethan Iverson, upright bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King drew new audiences to jazz. The second album, These are ...

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Daniel Bennett Group: The Hills of Beijing

by Scott Lichtman
June 16, 2024

Daniel Bennett has carved out a unique jazz sound, recognized via numerous reviews and awards for the Daniel Bennett Group. Compositions change keys and meter quickly, sometimes from bar-to-bar-to-bar, yet the melody and improvisations follow a smooth, logical path. The arrangements are compact, with instrumentations that can hint at folk or soundtrack music. Bennett's tone across ...

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Başak Yavuz: Promised Lands

by Scott Lichtman
June 9, 2024

Vocalist and composer Başak Yavuz is intense. The lyrics of “Promised Lands" state that “someone told me to release the animal," which is exactly she and her band do. Drums and electric bass propel a free jazz-like feel with tinges of James Brown, while the guitar and voice open by harmonizing a tight, descending harmony that ...

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World Saxophone Quartet: Take The 'A' Train

by Scott Lichtman
June 2, 2024

The World Saxophone Quartet has always created a buzz... literally. Pioneers in jazz woodwinds, WSO combined instrumental prowess with sophisticated orchestrations and a wide repertoire encompassing jazz standards, free jazz, blues, world rhythms, and politicized songs. The original group from the '70s and '80s featured Julius Hemphill and Oliver Lake on alto and soprano saxophones, David ...

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Säje: I Can't Help It

by Scott Lichtman
May 22, 2024

It is rare to encounter, an all-female, professional jazz vocal ensemble. The quartet säje (pronounced like “beige") not only has established itself in this genre with a Grammy nomination, but they raise the bar for all vocal groups. The singers--Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Erin Bentlage and Johnaye Kendrick--are practically telepathic in synchronizing their phrasing. Any big ...

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Steps Ahead: Trains

by Scott Lichtman
May 17, 2024

"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 ...

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Junius Paul: Asé

by Scott Lichtman
May 13, 2024

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 ...