David Weiss and Point of Departure: Snuck In
Review of live album from noted trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader
Forrest Dylan Bryant
Igor Butman Big Band: Moscow @ 3 A.M.
Casting a welcome spotlight on the underexposed Russian jazz scene, star saxophonist Igor Butman reunites with a longtime friend and collaborator, composer/arranger Nick Levinovsky, to … Read More “Igor Butman Big Band: Moscow @ 3 A.M.”
Oleg Butman: Passion
Although released under drummer (and Igor’s brother) Oleg Butman’s name, Passion really documents the ongoing partnership between the ebullient Butman and the equally aggressive Natalia … Read More “Oleg Butman: Passion”
Joe Chambers: Horace to Max
Forrest Dylan Bryant on new album from drummer Joe Chambers
Portland Jazz Festival
A great Northwestern fest nods to the Land of the Midnight Sun
Grupa Janke Randalu: Live
Kristjan Randalu and Bodek Janke are all but unknown to American jazz fans. But the visceral excitement and engrossing interplay captured on this duet CD … Read More “Grupa Janke Randalu: Live”
Tain & the Ebonix : Folk’s Songs
The turning point in drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts’ latest CD comes about 26 minutes in, right between the powerhouse “Seed of Blakzilla” and the ballad … Read More “Tain & the Ebonix : Folk’s Songs”
Norman Hedman’s Tropique: Garden of Forbidden Fruit
This fifth album by conguero Norman Hedman and his Tropique ensemble shows promise at several points but unfortunately lacks the punch to follow through. The … Read More “Norman Hedman’s Tropique: Garden of Forbidden Fruit”
Horace Tapscott: Live at Lobero, Vol. 1
Seven years after his premature death, the tirelessly innovative pianist Horace Tapscott remains something of a secret. This long-awaited reissue of a 1981 performance will … Read More “Horace Tapscott: Live at Lobero, Vol. 1”
Grismore/Scea Group: Well Behaved Fish
Remember those old cartoons in which the protagonist, sleeping Rip van Winkle-like into the next century, awakened to find an atomic funhouse world of flying … Read More “Grismore/Scea Group: Well Behaved Fish”
Eddie Henderson Project: Precious Moment
At first glance, Eddie Hen-derson’s latest might look like a toss-off: a set of standards (plus two tunes by Hender-son’s wife, Natsuko), none of which … Read More “Eddie Henderson Project: Precious Moment”
David Liebman/Steve Swallow/Adam Nussbaum: We Three: Three For All
Dave Liebman, Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum have moved in the same circles for nearly four decades. But surprisingly, the three of them have never … Read More “David Liebman/Steve Swallow/Adam Nussbaum: We Three: Three For All”
Lonnie Plaxico: West Side Stories
Lonnie Plaxico has never been afraid to mix advanced rhythms and harmonies with R&B. For his 11th album as a leader, the bassist looks back … Read More “Lonnie Plaxico: West Side Stories”