David Weiss and Point of Departure: Snuck In
Review of live album from noted trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader
Review of live album from noted trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader
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.”
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”
Forrest Dylan Bryant on new album from drummer Joe Chambers
A great Northwestern fest nods to the Land of the Midnight Sun
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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 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”