Charnett Moffett: Bright New Day (Motéma)
Bassist Charnett Moffett has a catalog of solo recordings dating back 32 years, yet he may be best known for his touring and recording with … Read More “Charnett Moffett: Bright New Day (Motéma)”
Bill Meredith
Fred Hersch & WDR Big Band: Begin Again (Palmetto)
It’s tempting to assume that the subtlety and nuance of pianist Fred Hersch’s Begin Again stem from the arrangements by Vince Mendoza and performances by … Read More “Fred Hersch & WDR Big Band: Begin Again (Palmetto)”
Oz Noy: Booga Looga Loo (Abstract Logix)
Israel-born, New York City-based guitarist Oz Noy’s motto—“It’s jazz, it just doesn’t sound like it”—echoes across his groove-oriented 15-year recording career as a leader, highlighted … Read More “Oz Noy: Booga Looga Loo (Abstract Logix)”
Dave Liebman/Jeff Coffin/Victor Wooten/Chester Thompson/Chris Walters/James DaSilva: On the Corner Live! The Music of Miles Davis (Ear Up)
Of the many debate-prompting releases from Miles Davis’ shape-shifting career, On the Corner (1972) may top the list. The trumpeter admitted the music was influenced … Read More “Dave Liebman/Jeff Coffin/Victor Wooten/Chester Thompson/Chris Walters/James DaSilva: On the Corner Live! The Music of Miles Davis (Ear Up)”
Frost Concert Jazz Band/Daversa: Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra (ArtistShare)
Guitarist/composer Justin Morell is known for taking high-degree-of-difficulty challenges, including mixing the jazz and classical genres. For his Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra, Morell … Read More “Frost Concert Jazz Band/Daversa: Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra (ArtistShare)”
Chicago Soul Jazz Collective: Soulophone (Self-released)
A common misnomer is that music with horns is jazz. Add horns to R&B rhythms, or to blues progressions, and it’s practically an automatic perception. … Read More “Chicago Soul Jazz Collective: Soulophone (Self-released)”
Alan Pasqua: Soliloquy (Mouthpiece Music)
Keyboardist Alan Pasqua, 66, rose to prominence in the mid-1970s as part of drummer Tony Williams’ Lifetime, one of several visionary ensembles led by alumni … Read More “Alan Pasqua: Soliloquy (Mouthpiece Music)”
Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Fandango at the Wall (Resilience Music Alliance)
Even by the standards set by pianist, composer, bandleader, and social activist Arturo O’Farrill, Fandango at the Wall, a double-CD with the 18-piece Afro Latin … Read More “Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Fandango at the Wall (Resilience Music Alliance)”
John Scofield: Combo 66 (Verve)
At age 66, guitarist John Scofield has earned heroic jazz/fusion status for his understated style, open mind, and tributaries that include releases with jam-band festival … Read More “John Scofield: Combo 66 (Verve)”
Brian Bromberg: Thicker Than Water (Artistry)
Bassist Brian Bromberg’s 30-plus-year solo career crested with a 2002 release, Jaco, on which he deftly paid tribute to bass great Jaco Pastorius’ otherworldly combination … Read More “Brian Bromberg: Thicker Than Water (Artistry)”
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band: West Side Story Reimagined (Jazzheads)
Drummer Bobby Sanabria was born in the South Bronx in 1957, the same year West Side Story opened on Broadway. As a native New Yorker … Read More “Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band: West Side Story Reimagined (Jazzheads)”
McClenty Hunter Jr.: The Groove Hunter (Strikezone)
Gospel roots infuse modern jazz as often as the more celebrated route of classical training, and drummer McClenty Hunter Jr. displays a sacred understatement on … Read More “McClenty Hunter Jr.: The Groove Hunter (Strikezone)”
Lonnie McFadden: Live at Green Lady Lounge (Jazz Daddy)
“This whole night is my whole career,” says Kansas City-based vocalist and trumpeter Lonnie McFadden as an introduction to his Live at Green Lady Lounge. … Read More “Lonnie McFadden: Live at Green Lady Lounge (Jazz Daddy)”
Robert Walter’s 20th Congress: Spacesuit (Royal Potato Family)
Keyboardist Robert Walter is like the ultimate sixth man in basketball—a super-skilled player who comes off the bench to provide support and symmetry to a … Read More “Robert Walter’s 20th Congress: Spacesuit (Royal Potato Family)”
Arturo O’Farrill & Chucho Valdés: For Love of Family
Practically speaking, Familia: Tribute to Bebo & Chico (Motéma), the new double album by the renowned pianists, composers and bandleaders Arturo O’Farrill and Chucho Valdés, … Read More “Arturo O’Farrill & Chucho Valdés: For Love of Family”
Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Mauch Chunk
With traditional acoustic jazz instrumentation but a punk-ish name and attitude, New York City quartet Mostly Other People Do the Killing practically demands listeners expect … Read More “Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Mauch Chunk”
Steve Gadd Band: 70 Strong
Nearly every listening experience involves expectations based on scenario, instrumentation and personnel. When the occasion is supreme studio drummer Steve Gadd’s 70th birthday recording-with trumpeter … Read More “Steve Gadd Band: 70 Strong”
The Stanley Clarke Band: Up
On UP, bassist Stanley Clarke recruits collaborators from his recent past (and some not so recent) and plays both acoustic upright-his forte during the second … Read More “The Stanley Clarke Band: Up”
Simon Phillips: Protocol II
British drummer Simon Phillips is on a recent roll, no pun intended. His work on Japanese keyboardist Hiromi’s 2014 release, Alive, helped make it the … Read More “Simon Phillips: Protocol II”
Chick Corea Trio: Trilogy
After half a century as a preeminent jazz composer and musician, 73-year-old keyboardist Chick Corea is in a rare place as an artist who can … Read More “Chick Corea Trio: Trilogy”
Hiromi: Alive
If there’s a drawback to all-star groups, it’s that they have little to prove. Which may explain why it took a few years for Japanese … Read More “Hiromi: Alive”
Global Noize: Sly Reimagined: The Music of Sly and the Family Stone
Keyboardist Jason Miles’ career highlight reel includes programming on Miles Davis’ albums Tutu and Amandla during the 1980s. Yet his playing has been featured as … Read More “Global Noize: Sly Reimagined: The Music of Sly and the Family Stone”
Hiromi: Live in Marciac
Japanese pianist Hiromi left fans perplexed when she disbanded her trio with fellow Berklee alumni Tony Grey (bass) and Martin Valihora (drums) after several standout … Read More “Hiromi: Live in Marciac”
Scott Henderson/Jeff Berlin/Dennis Chambers : HBC
As power trios go, it doesn’t get much more powerful than guitarist Scott Henderson, bassist Jeff Berlin and drummer Dennis Chambers. Like an update of … Read More “Scott Henderson/Jeff Berlin/Dennis Chambers : HBC”
Grant Geisman: Bop! Bang! Boom!
L.A.-based guitarist Grant Geissman made his name with the “contemporary” jazz and commercial work that are so much a part of the Southern California scene. … Read More “Grant Geisman: Bop! Bang! Boom!”
Jeff Coffin and the Mu’tet: Into the Air
Give saxophonist Jeff Coffin credit for truth in advertising, since his Mu’tet band has mutated again. Into the Air, like its 2008 studio predecessor, Mutopia, … Read More “Jeff Coffin and the Mu’tet: Into the Air”
The Headhunters: Platinum
Herbie Hancock learned how to be ahead of his time while working with Miles Davis in the 1960s and 1970s, and proved it by one-upping … Read More “The Headhunters: Platinum”
Steve Khan: Parting Shot
On his new album, Parting Shot, the underrated guitarist Steve Khan continues exploring a Latin sensibility and reunites his ’90s-era Eyewitness quartet of bassist Anthony … Read More “Steve Khan: Parting Shot”
Jeff Coffin and Jeff Sipe: Duet
Before listening to Duet, it might be best to forget everything you already know about its creators-which may be little about drummer Jeff Sipe (a … Read More “Jeff Coffin and Jeff Sipe: Duet”
Steve Gadd and Friends: Live at Voce
With a 40-year career of recordings that includes classics by everyone from George Benson, Chick Corea and Jaco Pastorius to Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and … Read More “Steve Gadd and Friends: Live at Voce”