Undertones
09/10/12 By Bill Milkowski
Colombe
Playing against expectations, given that his grandfather was the one and only Django Reinhardt, the 26-year-old guitarist David Reinhardt pursues a modern direction more informed by bebop, bossa nova, funk and fusion than by the Hot Club of France. With...
08/31/12 By Bill Milkowski
Smashups
Foam at the Mouth
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...
08/27/12 By Bill Milkowski
Golden Child
Posi-Tone
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 By Bill Milkowski
Line Open
Waking Up
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 By Bill Milkowski
My Nocturne
Tippin' Records
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 By Bill Milkowski
New Street
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 By Bill Milkowski
Black Music Disaster
Thirsty Ear
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...
07/27/12 By Bill Milkowski
Swift Kick
D Clef
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 By Bill Milkowski
Point in Time
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...
02/21/12 By Bill Milkowski
Three Musicians
Oo-Bla-Dee
This unusually flexible trio of piano (Joan Stiles), tenor sax (Joel Frahm) and drums (Matt Wilson) is marked by such playful counterpoint, mercurial shifting and spontaneous, deconstructive interplay that it could almost be placed in the comedy bins next...
