Martial Solal: French Modern
“I thank Mr. Hitler,” says a droll Martial Solal, a French-Algerian Jew and France’s foremost jazz pianist. “Because of him I discover music. Without him, … Read More “Martial Solal: French Modern”
Christopher Porter
Space is the Place: Jazz Artists Tap into the Power of MySpace
Everyone knows MySpace is a great place to ogle the opposite sex and keep in touch with your friends. But did you know that most of your favorite jazz artists post information-filled profiles and streaming music there? Christopher Porter examines the pros and cons of one of the most popular Web sites on the Internet.
The Source: The Source
Saxophonist Trygve Seim often comes across like he’s a classical musician holding a jazzman’s instrument. But when he’s around his friends in the Source collective, … Read More “The Source: The Source”
Claudio Roditi: Reflections
The third CD by this tri-country trio is like the first two: pleasant chamber jazz that won’t register anywhere in your brain. Brazilian trumpeter and … Read More “Claudio Roditi: Reflections”
Klaus Suonsaari and Frank Carlberg: Fallingwater
Drummer-composer Klaus Suonsaari is slowly but surely building a catalog of impressionistic yet edgy ECM-like music on his KSJazz label. Originally from Finland, Suonsaari now … Read More “Klaus Suonsaari and Frank Carlberg: Fallingwater”
Various Artists: Jazz.Toys
Rare-groove collectors are an odd sort. They’ll pay something like $500 to buy an obscure record by a long-forgotten band just to sample a single … Read More “Various Artists: Jazz.Toys”
Enrico Rava: Easy Living
Life is good for Enrico Rava, whose ECM recordings have earned him a reputation as Italy’s greatest jazz musician. The trumpeter’s graceful, subtly attention grabbing-style has also won over American fans.
Anga: Echu Mingua
After years of playing congas in the legendary Cuban jazz group Irakere and with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Migel “Angá” Díaz has finally released his … Read More “Anga: Echu Mingua”
Batagraf and Jon Balke: Statements
Norwegian keyboardist Jon Balke started Batagraf as something like an informal drum circle. Leaving his keys in favor of percussion, Balke and drummers Kenneth Ekornes, … Read More “Batagraf and Jon Balke: Statements”
Iro Haarla: Northbound
The great experimental Finnish drummer Edward Vesala has a secret weapon: His wife, Iro Haarla, helped orchestrate much of his music, including his last four … Read More “Iro Haarla: Northbound”
In the Country: This Was the Pace of My Heartbeat
Keyboardist Morten Qvenild is one of Norway’s most valuable utility players. He is the “orchestra” in the incredible post-Bjork duo Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, … Read More “In the Country: This Was the Pace of My Heartbeat”
The Sound of Young Norway
Tord Gustavsen is one of the latest in a long line of stunning Norwegian jazz artists that ECM has introduced to the world. “We’ve always … Read More “The Sound of Young Norway”
Jazz to Ska Mania
Jamaica is known for sunny beaches, Red Stripe and reggae. But the music that Bob Marley made famous around the world has its roots in an early 1960s phenomenon known as ska-a mix of Jamaican folk music and American jump-jazz with the off-beat rhythms emphasized. The musicians who created ska were steeped in jazz and played in big bands or small combos on the island. Christopher Porter talks to some of the biggest names from ska’s heyday, such as Ernest Ranglin, the Skatalites and Monty Alexander, and gets the scoop on how jazz and American R&B helped form the Sound of Young Jamaica.
Ken Vandermark: Focus
The stink of Ammonia and bleach on the still-wet floor greets the Vandermark 5. It’s one hour before show time at the Black Cat, Washington, … Read More “Ken Vandermark: Focus”
Herbie Hancock: Ancient to the Future
Herbie Hancock, one of the greatest pianists and most forward-looking musicians in the history of jazz, is eating lunch in my ear. His chewing is … Read More “Herbie Hancock: Ancient to the Future”
The All Rectangle: Ke Ala Mano (The Way of the Shark)
The All Rectangle’s music embodies the sound of modern Chicago jazz-rock: funky, spacey, aloof. The trio of bassist Alana Rocklin, drummer Derek Crawford and electronics-effecter … Read More “The All Rectangle: Ke Ala Mano (The Way of the Shark)”
Elton Dean: Moorsong
It may seem strange that half of the new CD by British experimental-jazz saxophonist Elton Dean sounds like a stab for the opening slot on … Read More “Elton Dean: Moorsong”
Markus Stockhausen/Arild Andersen/Patrice Heral/Terje Rypdal: Karta
For Karta, the augmented trio of trumpeter Markus Stockhausen (son of modern-classical master Karlheinz), bassist Arild Andersen, drummer Patrice Heral and special-guest guitarist Terje Rypdal … Read More “Markus Stockhausen/Arild Andersen/Patrice Heral/Terje Rypdal: Karta”
The Chicago Underground Trio: Flamethrower
The various combinations of the Chicago Underground-Duo, Trio, Orchestra and even the Isotope 217 offshoot-are etching its mark on the city’s experimental music legacy as … Read More “The Chicago Underground Trio: Flamethrower”
Chicago Underground Duo: Synesthesia
Those keyboard-generated timbres define the Underground Duo’s Synesthesia, which features just the Underground’s core members Mazurek and Taylor. While the CD features some unique soundscapes, … Read More “Chicago Underground Duo: Synesthesia”
Isotope 217: Who Stole the I Walkman?
Davis’ specter also lurks over Isotope 217, an electro-acoustic funk-jazz collaboration with Mazurek, Parker, bassist Matthew Lux and drummers John Herndon and Dan Bitney from … Read More “Isotope 217: Who Stole the I Walkman?”
Mount Everest Trio: Waves from Albert Ayler
Mount Everest Trio’s saxophonist Gilbert Holmstrom’s tone’s a little sharp, his sax lines are a little blunt, and his time is a little off. He’s … Read More “Mount Everest Trio: Waves from Albert Ayler”
Marc Cary: Trillium
When was the last time a piano trio record grabbed you by the lapels, faced you forward, demanded you put down that cocktail and screamed … Read More “Marc Cary: Trillium”
Marc Cary: Rhodes Ahead: Volume One
Rhodes Ahead is an album that slipped out late last year with little American promotion. Seems Cary was afraid the jazz police would fire at … Read More “Marc Cary: Rhodes Ahead: Volume One”
Ben Monder: Excavation
Guitarist Ben Monder possesses such prodigious technique that songs can run away from him as he restlessly crams in every chordal variation. And this is … Read More “Ben Monder: Excavation”
Raphe Malik/Cecil McBee/Codaryl Moffett: Storyline
A genuinely powerful record that reaches out to the far side of improvised music without getting lost there, Storyline is a triumph for trumpeter Raphe … Read More “Raphe Malik/Cecil McBee/Codaryl Moffett: Storyline”
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Freedom Jazz Dance
Freedom, jazz and dancing is what Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has been about for 20 years, so it’s no surprise that percussionist Kahil El’Zabar’s group imbues … Read More “Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Freedom Jazz Dance”