Yet again, Resonance Records’ producers, Zev Feldman and George Klabin—whose comprehensive CD packages honor the memories of jazz icons as they continue to unearth more previously unreleased recordings—have made available even more invaluable jazz albums. This time, Resonance Records has expanded the essential discographies of trumpeter Roy Hargrove and pianist …
Wadada Leo Smith’s eightieth birthday celebration began a few months ago. Actually, the celebration was a continuation of his lifelong stream of music that continues to this day and will continue into the future. First, Smith released Sun Beans of Shimmering Light with Douglas Ewart and Mike Reed. Smith’s new …
Deeply personal, Noah Haidu’s most recent albumcomprises expressions of empathy, loss and respectfulness in ways that words can’t. Slowly: Song for Keith Jarrett covers his feelings about the jazz icon’s influence, style and soulfulness, as well as Haidu’s heartfelt remembrance of his father. All three of them—Jarrett, Noah Haidu, and …
You have to give Eric Goletz credit for perseverance. And for virtuosity. And for creating music that reaches out to listeners while providing inimitable improvisational excellence. Goletz imagined a sound that he wanted to record in the eighties. However, the times weren’t right for him to find a producer who …
Difficult though it is to successfully release any album during this century’s pandemic, Cowboys & Frenchmen, the New York City-based quintet of artistic originality and cohesive force, seized upon the opportunity of its earlier tour during pre-pandemic times to create an inspiring musical/video documentary of the lives of artistically skilled …
As one listens to Bernstein Reimagined, the realization occurs that jazz has come around to Bernstein. Some of the present-day jazz orchestras play with a broad sonic spectrum projecting, instead of 4/4 dance music, majesty, solemnity, naturalism, playfulness and spirituality.
Jeff Ellwood is essentially a balladeer, focused on texture, tone, and melody, even on up-tempo tunes. Despite years of experience backing touring legendary performers and playing in West Coast bands, saxophonist Ellwood is releasing in 2020 his first album, planned over several previous years. Appropriately, Ellwood chose the beautiful, too-seldom-performed …
When Blue Note Records president Don Was heard the originality, cohesion and virtuosity of the band Artemis at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival, he lost no time in signing the group to the legendary label, as he has with jazz talent heard at other jazz festivals. This person responsible for …
Peter Leitch’s New Life Orchestra actually celebrates his New Life as the title of the fifteen-piece Orchestra’s first album. Leitch’s transition from an acclaimed jazz guitarist who performed with numerous jazz masters to a jazz orchestra leader and composer occurred not through a voluntary decision, but through involuntary change. Leitch, …
Mary Halvorson’s uncompromising recordings reassure listeners that the future of jazz remains promising, even as it builds upon the similar fearlessness of the past innovators of jazz.
Wilson maintains his own inimitable style on hug! with the big-family happiness that defines his love of humanity and his associated love of music.
Chick Corea still captures the child within us.
Who knew but Schneider that her defense of the value of art would eventually be the basis for another work of art?
The commitment of the musicians to the project makes Seven Angels one of this pandemic year’s bright spots.
In this era of lightning-fast social changes, John Bailey’s Can You Imagine? album becomes more relevant every day. Can You Imagine? was released on January 20, 2020, a year in advance of the U.S. Inauguration Day, which will be the culmination of drama, mudslinging, social media falsehoods, nationwide protests, COVID-19 social distancing …
Music tells the stories of life. More eloquently than can words. For those who will listen. It’s not sufficient merely to hear. For in the stories contained within the notes and even within the rests between the notes played by an accomplished musician, music can capture injustice, joy, struggle, love, …
