Chick Corea is from the Miles Davis school: He doesn’t like to look back. Throughout his illustrious career, which got its start in 1962 in … Read More “Chick Corea: Acouschick”
On Elements of Poetry, pianist Oskar Aichinger, heard with bassist Achim Tang and drummer Paul Skrepek Jun, builds his performances from multiple musical materials. Their … Read More “Oskar Aichinger: Elements of Poetry”
On An Affair With Strauss, trumpeter-flugelhornist Franz Koglmann directs the Monoblue Quartet (Tony Coe on clarinet and tenor sax, and one noteworthy vocal; Burkhard Stangl … Read More “Franz Koglmann: An Affair With Strauss”
William Parker holds down the low end on many of the more substantial free-blowing sessions coming out of New York these days. That is, he … Read More “Painter’s Spring”
Saxophonist Pietro has prepared a rich feast for listeners here, writing eight of nine pieces on the CD and arranging them all for an ensemble … Read More “Dave Pietro: Now Becoming Then”
This recording has some of the sheen of a crossover effort-but there is too much musicality and relaxed intensity here to dismiss it so easily. … Read More “Bobby Watson: Quiet as It’s Kept”
As this review sees print, it is twenty-five years since Erroll Garner passed away. With him went an approach to the piano and improvisation that … Read More “Erroll Garner: Now Playing”
Tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen makes strong impressions on these sessions. Winard Harper’s band matches his intense but tasteful drumming with Abdou Mboup on percussion, the … Read More “J.D. Allen: In Search Of”
Feldman’s set is graced by some “name” guests, including Paquito D’Rivera, fellow Argentinian Gato Barbieri, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, and Alex Acuna on drums, and a … Read More “Oscar Feldman: El Angel”
Bosch’s aptly named “hard salsa” pulls no punches. The vocal/choral strains of salsa are rendered here with fervor as well as wit. The trumpet work … Read More “Jimmy Bosch: Salsa Dura”
The challenges of capturing a big band live are not to be underestimated. Those challenges grow when a smaller ensemble, in this case nine pieces, … Read More “Bill Kirchner Nonet: Trance Dance”
Carla Cook is inspiring evidence that the art and soul of jazz singing is alive and well. The performances embodied in this recording are the … Read More “Carla Cook: It’s All About Love”
Cuba seems more and more at the center of America’s musical fascination these days. The Buena Vista Social Club, the well-received film built around Ry … Read More “Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Inner Voyage”
The Tiny Bell Trio matches trumpeter Douglas with guitarist Brad Shepik and drummer Jim Black. Douglas has emerged as one of the more prolific-and omniverous-talents … Read More “Dave Douglas: Songs for Wandering Souls”
In case anyone failed to notice, 1999 was the 60th anniversary of Blue Note Records; it was also pianist Benny Green’s tenth year with the … Read More “Benny Green: These Are Soulful Days”