Amid an abundance of first-rate young jazz guitarists, Graham Dechter’s third album, Major Influence, with its swinging irresistibility, provides another reason for his broader recognition. Influenced by a previous generation’s straight-ahead guitarists like Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Wes Montgomery and Grant Green, Dechter’s performance on Major Influence projects not only …
Such a sound engineering feat My Own Particular Life is! Rather than waiting out a pandemic, the album’s sound engineers flawlessly produced an album that sounds as if all the musicians and singer Lorraine Feather were in the same studio, even though they were in separate locations. So, first of …
At first frustrated by the COVID pandemic’s obstacles blocking musicians from recordings and concerts, drummer Gerry Gibbs decided to find a way, or ways, to overcome them. His determination evolved from the sudden frustration that stalled his planned 2020 album release to the unanticipated inspiration that led to the album …
A rare and significant find this is! Who knew that jazz legend Sheila Jordan was recording under her own name before her breakthrough Blue Note album, Portrait of Sheila? Having escaped her childhood poverty in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where she lived in a home without plumbing with seven uncles—Harry, Earl, Delbert, …
On one of the most unusual, not to mention one of the most remarkable, albums of the year, classical music meets jazz, Frank Morelli meets Keith Oxman, and bassoon meets tenor saxophone. That album, The Ox-Mo Incident, bears a title that abbreviates the musicians’ names with a clever but perfect …
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.
