Festival Review: jazzahead!, in Bremen, Germany
European innovation at the fore
Josef Woodard
Review: The 2013 Umeå Jazz Festival
At 45, one of Europe’s most durable and diverse festivals
Review: The Monterey Jazz Festival, 2013
The venerable institution still balances tradition and daring
Review: Guelph Jazz Festival, Ontario, September 4-28, 2013
Canadian event celebrates its 20th in high and heady style
Concert Review: Wayne Shorter Quartet at the Hollywood Bowl, 8-28-13
At 80, the enigmatic giant is still looking forward
Review: Vossa Jazz Festival, Norway, March 22-24
Scandinavian jazz culture showcased in a small-town atmosphere
Concert Review: Wayne Shorter Quartet and the LA Phil, 2-9-13
Esperanza Spalding helps unveil a new epic piece in L.A.
Review: Monterey Jazz Festival 2012
55th annual event featured an all-star lineup
Five Years Beyond: Musicians Reflect on 9/11
For many in the jazz community, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks hit close to home. Several people, including Sonny Rollins and Vijay Iyer, relied on music to help make sense of the tragedy. Josef Woodard spoke with various musicians about their memories of that day and its aftermath.
Keith Jarrett Trio at UCLA Royce Hall, 10-26-11
The “Standards Trio” plays it straight, more or less
Monterey Jazz Festival 2011
A full menu highlighted by Sonny Rollins, Terence Blanchard, Hiromi, Steve Coleman and more
Guelph Jazz Festival & Colloquium
Henry Threadgill and other avant-masters rule at this Canadian marathon
Jazz Nordic Style at Vossa Jazz Festival
Josef Woodard reviews jazz festival held in Vossa, Norway, on April 15-17, 2011
Vinicius Cantuária & Bill Frisell: Lágrimas Mexicanas
This sometimes intoxicating collaboration between mild-mannered guitar hero Bill Frisell and guitarist-singer Vinicius Cantuária, a Brazilian living in Brooklyn, might come as a surprise for … Read More “Vinicius Cantuária & Bill Frisell: Lágrimas Mexicanas”
Al Di Meola: Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody
Josef Woodard reviews latest album from guitarist Al Di Meola
Michael Formanek: The Rub and Spare Change
While alto-sax firebrand Tim Berne hasn’t officially recorded as a leader for ECM, he has been slipping in the side door in provocative ways in … Read More “Michael Formanek: The Rub and Spare Change”
Berlin Jazz Festival: A Euro-Jazz Smorgasbord
Josef Woodard reviews performances at festival held November 3-7, 2010
Kris Davis/Ingrid Laubrock/Tyshawn Sorey: Paradoxical Frog
While the commanding drummer Tyshawn Sorey has been known for his mathematical and muscular intensity in settings with Steve Coleman, Fieldwork, Steve Lehman and other … Read More “Kris Davis/Ingrid Laubrock/Tyshawn Sorey: Paradoxical Frog”
Monterey Jazz Festival: Trans-Generational Ultra-Hang
Josef Woodard reviews legendary jazz festival in Monterey, California on September 17-19, 2010
Guelph Jazz Festival & Colloquium: Long Live AACM and ECM!
Review of Festival in Guelph, Ontario on September 8-12, 2010
Steve Coleman and Five Elements: Harvesting Semblances and Affinities
Steve Coleman has been serving up complicated, beguiling musical math for nearly a quarter century, from his early work with the M-Base scene beginning in … Read More “Steve Coleman and Five Elements: Harvesting Semblances and Affinities”
Review of 2010 Copenhagen Jazz Festival
Josef Woodard reports from the Copenhagen Jazz Festival
Review of Fes Festival of World Sacred Music
Josef Woodard reports on festival held in Morocco
Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden: Jasmine
For 30-odd years, piano Prometheus Keith Jarrett has done his musical bidding and exploring in self-limited settings, most often either in his “Standards” trio with … Read More “Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden: Jasmine”
Moers Jazz Festival
Josef Woodard reviews adventurous festival in Germany
Brad Mehldau: Highway Rider
Josef Woodard reviews new 2-CD set from Brad Mehldau, produced by Jon Brion
Christian Wallumrod Ensemble: Fabula Suite Lugano
Among the ranks of the important new wave of Norwegian jazz musicians sparking up the international scene, pianist-composer-bandleader Christian Wallumrød is one of the most … Read More “Christian Wallumrod Ensemble: Fabula Suite Lugano”
James Weidman: Three Worlds
Pianist James Weidman calls his new album Three Worlds in reference to the variety of contexts brought together on the disc-a quintet with trombonist Ray … Read More “James Weidman: Three Worlds”
Bobby Previte: Pan Atlantic
The quintessential downtown/bandleader drummer taps into Euro talent
The Monterey Quartet: Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival
While there is no disputing the hegemony of New York City as jazz’s artistic epicenter, some of the music’s stronger enabling forces have bases far … Read More “The Monterey Quartet: Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival”