David Whiteis is a critic, journalist, and author based in Chicago. He is the recipient of the Blues Foundation’s 2001 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Achievement in Journalism. His books include Southern Soul-Blues (U. of Illinois Press, 2013) and Chicago Blues: Portraits and Stories (U. Of Illinois Press, 2006). He is currently at work completing a book on contemporary Chicago blues and a co-written autobiography of the late soul singer Denise LaSalle.
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OGJB—Oliver Lake, Graham Haynes, Joe Fonda, and Barry Altschul—characterize themselves as a “leaderless” quartet. In that spirit, the compositions featured here serve as sketches to … Read More “The OGJB Quartet: Bamako (TUM)”
“Serious play” may be a cliché by now, but it exemplifies the spirit that dances through this set. Apropos to the title, the emphasis is … Read More “Michael Eaton: Dialogical (Destiny)”
This four-movement suite, which both invokes and honors the 400-year history of African-American people from the arrival of the first slave ships in 1619 to … Read More “Avery Sharpe: 400: An African American Musical Portrait (JKNM)”
The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, formed by percussionist Kahil El’Zabar in the 1970s, is among the most venerable carriers of the legacy of Chicago’s Association for … Read More “Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Be Known (Spiritmuse)”
JC Sanford first formed Triocracy, with its distinctive lineup of trombone and two reeds, in 1998. The current edition, featuring trombonist Sanford along with Andy … Read More “JC Sanford’s Triocracy: Pyramid Scheme (Shifting Paradigm)”
A powerful spirituality illuminates Tom Harrell’s work, but that doesn’t mean that there’s anything pretentious or dogmatic going on. An irrepressible sense of play also … Read More “Tom Harrell: Infinity (HighNote)”
If ever there was an ideal candidate for a jazz tribute, it’s Muhammad Ali. His boxing style was jazz poetry in motion, of course, but … Read More “Craig Harris: Brown Butterfly (Afro Future Concept)”
If, as critic Larry Kart has postulated, jazz is “a form of self-enactment in sound,” then this “enactment” must become ambiguous, even contradictory, as the … Read More “Greg Ward Presents Rogue Parade: Stomping Off from Greenwood (Greenleaf)”
This six-track EP showcases both the versatility and musical depth of bassist Dezron Douglas, whose ensemble includes tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard, altoist Lummie Spann, trumpeter … Read More “Dezron Douglas: Black Lion (self-released)”
Keyboardist Rafael Zaldivar invokes traditional Afro-Cuban spirituality in both his music and his message, but his thematic scope is far-ranging. His keyboard work is devoid … Read More “Rafael Zaldivar: Consecration (Effendi)”
This is serious play at its most elegant and satisfying. Cyrus Chestnut takes on fare ranging from original compositions through the works of Mozart, Ravel, … Read More “Cyrus Chestnut: Kaleidoscope (HighNote)”
Peace, definitely. Warriors, not so much. At its best, a feel of relaxed jubilation warms this set. Saxophonists Jure Pukl and Godwin Louis dance with nimble … Read More “The E.J. Strickland Quintet: Warriors for Peace (Jammin’ Colors)”
This is pianist Chucho Valdés’ long-awaited followup to his landmark 1972 recording Jazz Batá, a trio album—piano, bass, and bata (a drum of Yoruba origin … Read More “Chucho Valdés: Jazz Batá 2 (Mack Avenue)”
It’s become relatively common for jazz artists to incorporate elements of hip-hop into their work, but the fourth studio outing by trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is … Read More “Ambrose Akinmusire: Origami Harvest (Blue Note)”
According to many who witnessed them in action, King Oliver and Louis Armstrong were so locked into one another on the bandstand that they could … Read More “Steve Coleman and Five Elements: Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 1 (The Embedded Sets) (Pi)”
Organist Jared Gold, guitarist Dave Stryker, and drummer Billy Hart, augmented by trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on three tracks, prove there’s still some life in the … Read More “Jared Gold: Reemergence (Strikezone)”
This is pianist/composer Elio Villafranca’s most ambitious project yet: an extended, five-movement tone poem honoring the musical legacy of the Afro-Caribbean archipelago (the piece’s full … Read More “Elio Villafranca: Cinque (ArtistShare)”
Nicole Mitchell’s Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds, which her Black Earth Ensemble performed at the Pritzker Pavilion on the first day of the 2018 Chicago … Read More “Live Review: 2018 Chicago Jazz Festival”
The opener, Kenny Barron’s “Smoke Screen,” sets the tone: Dancing at the crossroads where the spirits of hard bop, soul jazz, and funk intermingle, it’s … Read More “Eddie Henderson: Be Cool (Smoke Sessions)”
This is a live recording of a concert that woodwind/brass virtuoso Daniel Carter, bassist William Parker, and pianist Matthew Shipp gave at Tufts University in … Read More “Daniel Carter/William Parker/Matthew Shipp: Seraphic Light (AUM Fidelity)”
Saxophonist and flutist Salim Washington’s music is characterized by a deep-running tranquility. Emotions are never forced; rather, they’re cultivated inside the listener. “Self Love/Revolutionary Ontology,” … Read More “Salim Washington: Dogon Revisited (Passin’ Thru)”
Following up his acclaimed 2016 release, Groundwork, drummer Willie Jones III offers a hard-swinging set shot through with celebratory, life-affirming brilliance. His intro on the … Read More “Willie Jones III: My Point Is… (WJ3)”
Like its 2015 predecessor, bassist-vocalist Reggie Washington’s latest is a genre-bending set dedicated to the memory of guitarist Jef Lee Johnson, who died in 2013. … Read More “Reggie Washington: Rainbow Shadow Vol. 2 (Jammin’ Colors)”
Nostalgists pining for the days of “live-in-the-studio” recordings will rejoice: Saxophonist Ernest Dawkins and his New Horizons Ensemble (bassist Isaiah Spencer and drummer Junius Paul), … Read More “Ernest Dawkins’ New Horizons Ensemble Feat. Vijay Iyer: Transient Takes (Ernest Dawkins)”
Heads of State is saxophonist Gary Bartz, pianist Larry Willis, bassist David Williams and drummer Al Foster, a golden-ager postbop supergroup whose genesis dates back … Read More “Heads of State: Four in One (Smoke Sessions)”
This three-disc set, recorded live in 1974 at Donte’s in Los Angeles, is the latest entry in Laurie Pepper’s Unreleased Art series of posthumous releases … Read More “Art Pepper & Warne Marsh: Unreleased Art: Vol. 9 (Widow’s Taste)”
The forceful resonance of Spencer Murphy’s bass solo on “Prayer,” the opening track on Fifth, immediately contradicts the new-agey pretentiousness of the disc’s liner notes. It’s … Read More “Chin, Dillard, Tivon, Pennicott, Murphy, Leathers: Fifth (Jinsy)”
Expect no pyrotechnics. Bassist David Friesen, pianist Greg Goebel and drummer Charlie Doggett convey intense feeling through subtlety and craft, their finely honed chops on … Read More “David Friesen Circle 3 Trio: Triple Exposure (Origin)”
Percussionist Vicente “Little Johnny” Rivero has had a fruitful career, but his recorded legacy is sparse. He released his debut, 2006’s Pasos Gigantes (Rhumba Jams) … Read More “Little Johnny Rivero: Music in Me”
Pianist-composer Orrin Evans expands his usual lineup here, adding guitarists Kevin Eubanks and Kurt Rosenwinkel to the mix. From the moment Eubanks enters (on “Calls,” … Read More “Orrin Evans: #knowingishalfthebattle”
