In jazz circles there is always talk about the importance of individuality, and there are always legions of musicians striving to play like someone else. … Read More “Lee Konitz: Conversations on the Improviser’s Art by Andy Hamilton”
The press release accompanying the advance copy of this recording contains a quote from Ron Carter: “I wasn’t ready to do an album like this … Read More “Ron Carter: Dear Miles”
Bergeron’s high-note trumpet work is astonishing, as always, but that is only one element of this big-band CD’s appeal, and he keeps it in proportion. … Read More “Wayne Bergeron : Plays Well With Others”
Striking as he was on previous Hoagy Carmichael and Leonard Bernstein tributes, pianist Bill Charlap continues developing in subtlety and expressiveness, as evidenced by this … Read More “Bill Charlap: Duets”
Three years ago in JazzTimes, I expressed the hope that Columbia would one day reissue The Thundering Herds, the LP era’s most comprehensive collection of … Read More “Woody Herman: The Complete Columbia Recordings of Woody Herman and His Orchestra & Woodchoppers (1945-47)”
Woody Herman’s First Herd epitomized an unrepeatable phenomenon of the big-band era: popular success that was also a musical triumph. Jukeboxes and radio stations filled … Read More “Woody Herman: The Woody Herman Shows, 1944-1946”
Dave Brubeck, in his 80s, maintains the energy, zeal and good humor that have characterized his work for more than 50 years. He is on … Read More “Dave Brubeck Quartet: Park Avenue South”
In 1959, 15-year-old Bill Mays, the son of a fundamentalist preacher in California, had jazz revealed to him by a god of the piano. Earl … Read More “Bill Mays: Mays’ Days”
Bradley’s, the lamented Greenwich Village headquarters of jazz pianists, lives on in this 1996 set by pianist Kenny Barron’s trio. Barron, bassist Ray Drummond and … Read More “Kenny Barron Trio: Live at Bradley’s”
With personnel changes, discipline and the familiarization that comes with time and hard work, Bob Brookmeyer has molded his New Art Orchestra into an ideal … Read More “Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra: Waltzing With Zoe”
Svend Asmussen was 83 in 1999 when he recorded Still Fiddling. His attributes-flawless violin tone and technique, room-filling sound, irresistible swing-were intact. One of the … Read More “Svend Asmussen: Still Fiddling”
On Talking Stick, the Chicago violinist Diane Delin swings hard in the company of an excellent rhythm section headed by pianist Dennis Luxion, a Bill … Read More “Diane Delin: Talking Stick”
Pianist Berkman follows his Communication Theory CD of two years ago with more in the same instrumentation and the same vein-modern mainstream jazz verging on … Read More “David Berkman: Leaving Home”
Songs are effective vehicles for the delivery of outrage, and the history of protest music is only slightly shorter than the history of music itself. … Read More “Dave Douglas: Witness”
Pianist Adair is a 30-year mainstay of the Nashville music industry who has managed to make a reputation as a jazz pianist in a city … Read More “Beegie Adair: Dream Dancing”
Barron, the veteran pianist, and Carter, the young violinist, range through nearly an hour and 10 minutes of duo playing that exults in the swing-era … Read More “Kenny Barron/Regina Carter: Freefall”
In this fine collection of Jimmy McHugh songs, Blanchard uses his rich trumpet tone and exquisite sense of harmonic proportion to create lyrical melodies in … Read More “Terence Blanchard: Let’s Get Lost”
On her first two Sharp Nine CDs, Dena DeRose sang good songs, accompanied herself splendidly at the piano and soloed at a high level. Her … Read More “Dena DeRose: I Can See Clearly Now”
Because Billy Childs employs his composing and arranging skills on a wide and varied front, his activity in writing music in Los Angeles means that … Read More “Billy Childs Trio with George Mraz, Billy Hart: Bedtime Stories: A Tribute to Herbie Hancock”
When Skies Are Grey is the newest addition to the series of albums that Carter began in 1961, when he first recorded under his own … Read More “Ron Carter: When Skies Are Grey”
Rollins radiates good humor and passion on this CD of three originals and three standards. “Sweet Leilani” is an unlikely jazz vehicle, but so were … Read More “Sonny Rollins: This Is What I Do”
Gordon is a clarinet stalwart of the traditional circuit. He was a student of the drastically underappreciated Joe Marsala and reflects his teacher’s fluid tone, … Read More “Bobby Gordon/Dave McKenna: Clarinet Blue”
McKenna accompanied Sherman in her first album in 1983. Their return encounter mirrors a successful duo engagement last summer in the Oak Room of New … Read More “Daryl Sherman/Dave McKenna: Jubilee”
McKenna’s left hand, celebrated for walking and striding in a prodigious series of solo albums, provides subtle comping for Gordon and Sherman in quartet and … Read More “Dave McKenna: Dave “Fingers” McKenna”
Jones arranged and conducted for Count Basie in the late 1950s and early 60s. Nestico was the prolific workhorse of the Basie arranging staff during … Read More “Quincy Jones/Sammy Nestico Orchestra: Basie and Beyond”
The energy that Jarrett pours into two Bud Powell pieces, “Bouncin’ With Bud” and “Hallucinations,” indicates that he has won his long battle with an … Read More “Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette: Whisper Not (Live in Paris 1999)”
There is triple fascination on trumpeter Randy Sandke’s stimulating The Re-Discovered Louis and Bix : the unearthing of genuinely interesting pieces written by Louis Armstrong … Read More “Randy Sandke and the New York All-Stars: The Re-Discovered Louis and Bix”
In much of his Armstrong tribute, If I Could Be With You, Byron Stripling, a trumpet player and singer whose stock in trade is strength, … Read More “Byron Stripling and Friends: If I Could Be With You”
Following a long absence, Bobbe Norris is back on record with her deep contralto, expressive phrasing, centered intonation and exquisite time sense. She marshals all … Read More “Bobbe Norris: Out of Nowhere”
The more you listen to young Louis Armstrong, the more you hear. The more you hear, the more you realize the extent to which jazz … Read More “Louis Armstrong: The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings”
