Bill Milkowski
Bill’s Contributions
08/31/12 Undertones
Smashups
Jazz Punks
On this irreverent but undeniably clever collection of mashup arrangements, the L.A.-based quintet brings its fearless alt-jazz sensibility to a commingling of Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo” and Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” an organic melding of the Clash’s “Should I...
08/31/12 Albums
Hard Hat Area
Allan Holdsworth
What to make of the enigmatic Mr. Holdsworth? Is he a jazz guitarist? Is it fusion? Suffice it to say, no other guitarist on the planet plays like him. For pure technical command on the fretboard as a soloist, few can touch him. Since the ’70s, Holdsworth...
08/27/12 Undertones
Golden Child
Jared Gold
In a post-Joey DeFrancesco/Larry Goldings world, Jared Gold is on the short list of organ players to call to instantly elevate any session. On his fifth outing as a leader, he joins guitarist Ed Cherry and drummer Quincy Davis for a varied program that ranges...
08/20/12 Undertones
Line Open
Will Galison
Harmonica ace and Toots Thielemans disciple Will Galison discloses another side of his musicality on this upbeat album showcasing his superior songwriting talents. His clever lyrics and pleasant vocals carry smart, engaging numbers like “Risky Business,”...
08/13/12 Undertones
My Nocturne
Teriver Cheung
Hong Kong native and University of North Texas grad Teriver Cheung reveals a gentle touch and a mature, composerly approach on his first recording as a leader. Accompanied by bassist Linda Oh, alto saxophonist Andrew Gould and his former North Texas schoolmate...
08/06/12 Undertones
New Street
Ben Powell
There is something about the tone, the delicate but assured touch, the unique vibrato and soaring filigrees of Ben Powell’s violin playing that immediately conjure up memories of Stephane Grappelli. It’s apparent in the warmly lyrical ballad “Judith” that...
08/01/12 Undertones
Black Music Disaster
Black Music Disaster
Matthew Shipp guests on this scary soundtrack to the monster movie in the deepest part of your id. Shipp’s droning The Phantom of the Opera -styled Farfisa organ tones open this otherworldly jam, a continuous 38-minute suite of improvised music. Drummer...
07/29/12 Albums
Upper West Side Story
Bobby Broom
Following clever takes on contemporary pop tunes (2001’s Stand ), Thelonious Monk (2009’s Plays for Monk ) and Stevie Wonder (2011’s Wonderful! by the Deep Blue Organ Trio), Bobby Broom’s tenth outing as a leader is his first collection of all originals...
07/27/12 Undertones
Swift Kick
Andrew Swift
Australian drummer Andrew Swift has been a valuable sideman on the NYC scene over the past decade, supporting veterans like pianist George Cables and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and, more recently, newcomer alto burner Sharel Cassity—all of whom appear on...
07/24/12 Undertones
Point in Time
Gabriel Vicéns
Guitarist-composer Gabriel Vicéns, a leading light of Puerto Rico’s jazz scene, flaunts a modernist sensibility on his impressive debut as a leader. His dark, warm-toned legato guitar lines share a kindred mastery with Stateside players like Kurt Rosenwinkel...
07/23/12 Albums
Five and One
Michael Benedict & Bopitude
Drummer Michael Benedict delighted hard-bop fans last year with his crack quintet’s self-titled debut. They’re back with baritone sax powerhouse Gary Smulyan augmenting the lineup, making this a scintillating sextet session. They come out smoking on Sonny...
07/11/12 Albums
Oltreoceano
Andrea Veneziani Trio
The adventurous Tuscan-born bassist Andrea Veneziani has found the perfect piano partner in Kenny Werner, whose sensitive, exploratory tack fits well with the leader’s ideas on delicate, searching vehicles like “Night Flight,” “Mark Rothko” and “In Viaggio...
07/10/12 Albums
Music for Organ Sextette
Brian Charette
Determined not to follow the same ol’ bop, blues and ballads formula of most organ-group sessions, Hammond player Brian Charette takes a different route on this renegade sextet outing. Working with four distinct voices—Jay Collins’ flute, John Ellis’ bass...
07/08/12 Albums
Bamako By Bus
Daniel Freedman
Drummer Daniel Freedman, a New York native and member of the band Third World Love, steps out with his second album as a leader, blending jazz with Yoruban prayer chants, Moroccan music, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk and pop. With Freedman on traps...
07/06/12 Albums
A Prayer for the Planet
Global Noize
Synth wiz Jason Miles helped usher Miles Davis into contemporary jazz during the ’80s with his cutting-edge synth programming on Tutu, Music From Siesta and Amandla . In 2008, he formed Global Noize with turntablist DJ Logic and enlisted a host of special...
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ReportAbout Bill Milkowski
The author of a renowned biography of Jaco Pastorius and other books, Bill has been a regular JT contributor since 1991. He has done many cover stories and profiles for the magazine. In addition, he currently writes the UnderTones column in every issue, spotlighting up and coming artists and recordings.