A former editor of JazzTimes, Mike Joyce has written extensively on jazz, blues, country, and pop music for The Washington Post, Maryland and Washington, D.C. public television stations, and other outlets.
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Can devotees of guitarist Bill Frisell listen to Epistrophy without connecting a lot of dots? Not likely. Recorded live at Manhattan’s Village Vanguard and prominently … Read More “Bill Frisell/Thomas Morgan: Epistrophy (ECM)”
Hammond B-3 vet Caesar Frazier and company offer listeners drawn to vintage jazz organ abundant relief with this album, clearly inspired by the keyboardist’s organ-combo … Read More “Caesar Frazier: Closer to the Truth (Savant)”
Nothing humbles a jazz guitarist accustomed to playing a solidbody or archtop instrument quite like an acoustic flattop, even if it’s a top-tier Taylor cutaway. … Read More “Mimi Fox: This Bird Still Flies (Origin)”
If name-dropping were a crime, keyboardist Keiko Matsui would have a helluva time promoting Echo. The album features a string of well-known artists, including guitarist … Read More “Keiko Matsui: Echo (Shanachie)”
Audacious by nature? You could easily make that case for Sound Underground, given its lean and unlikely instrumentation—alto sax, trumpet, and guitar—and its stirring yet … Read More “Sound Underground: The Power of Three (Tiny Music)”
If you glance at the tracks listed here, you may be tempted to start out with two notable collaborations and one Willie Nelson-penned country classic. … Read More “Pat Bianchi: In the Moment (Savant)”
After an anthemic opener resounding with block chords and splintered beats, John Escreet toggles between form and freedom, composition and improvisation on Learn to Live. … Read More “John Escreet: Learn to Live (Blue Room)”
First, the bad news: In the candid liner notes accompanying his latest (and, apparently, final) solo album, Barre Phillips tells writer Steve Lake that this … Read More “Barre Phillips: End to End (ECM)”
Given guitarist John Abercrombie’s recent passing, you may be inclined to view Open Land, a film by directors Arno Oehri and Oliver Primus, as something … Read More “Open Land: Meeting John Abercrombie (ECM)”
If veteran drummer, arranger, and composer Phil Haynes is busy tallying lucky stars these days, it’s easy to hear why, thanks to a pair of … Read More “No Fast Food: Settings for Three (CornerStore Jazz)”
The latest release from pianist Bill O’Connell is generic in name only. In many ways, it’s a distinctly personal statement, inspired by the recent passing … Read More “Bill O’Connell: Jazz Latin (Savant)”
Aptly enough, this tribute to folk-music legend Lead Belly comes with 12 strings attached, albeit in a thoroughly modern jazz context. Eager to salute one … Read More “Adam Nussbaum: The Lead Belly Project (Sunnyside)”
Guitarist Nels Cline has always been a sucker for music that’s a bit mystifying—not easily described, transcribed or summarized. So no one should be shocked … Read More “The Nels Cline 4: Currents, Constellations (Blue Note)”
If Danish guitarist Jakob Bro needed a good reason to further explore some of the music he’s recorded in recent years while also breaking new … Read More “Jakob Bro: Returnings (ECM)”
Art is shaped by nuance, guitarist Rez Abbasi asserts in the brief liner notes that accompany Unfiltered Universe, and the sentiment offers a clue as … Read More “Rez Abbasi: Unfiltered Universe (Whirlwind)”
Surrounded by five budding ballerinas, guitarist Russell Malone is pictured on the cover of his latest recording at a performing arts academy in New Jersey. … Read More “Russell Malone: Time for the Dancers (HighNote)”
When it comes time to record, Cyrus Chestnut has never been inclined to stay in his lane. The widely acclaimed jazz pianist, who once devoted … Read More “Cyrus Chestnut: There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit (HighNote)”
Given his exemplary technique and imposing stylistic reach, traits previously displayed on an impressive series of studio sessions, it’s not surprising that trumpeter Sean Jones … Read More “Sean Jones: Live From Jazz at the Bistro (Mack Avenue)”
Like Beautiful Life, its Grammy-nominated companion album of 2014, Flowers was born of deep, unimaginable grief, following the death of saxophonist Jimmy Greene’s 6-year-old daughter, … Read More “Jimmy Greene: Flowers: Beautiful Life—Volume 2 (Mack Avenue)”
Guitarist Nate Najar never met the late jazz legend Charlie Byrd, but there’s no mistaking their strong spiritual connection. It’s almost palpable on Blues for … Read More “Nate Najar: This Is Nate Najar (Candid)”
Even if Prototype, the title of Jeff Lorber Fusion’s latest release, is meant to be emblematic of contemporary jazz to come, don’t expect a series … Read More “Jeff Lorber Fusion: Prototype (Shanachie)”
A little motif can do and become anything in the hands of Cuban keyboardist Omar Sosa, especially when he’s abetted by Senegalese kora player Seckou … Read More “Omar Sosa & Seckou Keith: Transparent Water (Otá)”
For all its trumpet flourishes and roiling percussion, its mounting tensions and spirited interplay, Make Noise! isn’t always a brashly exuberant affair. In fact, quite … Read More “Jeremy Pelt: Make Noise! (HighNote)”
No need to search long and hard here for a telling stylistic connection. When guitarist Corey Christiansen punctuates Factory Girl with a thoroughly modern and … Read More “Corey Christiansen: Factory Girl (Origin)”
To find three Berklee alumni recording together isn’t unusual, but not when the gathering constitutes a cross-generational family affair. Such is the case here, as … Read More “Mark Whitfield: Grace (Marksman)”
After Groovin’ has retreated from its inevitable rise to the top of the smooth-jazz charts, it’s likely to enjoy a long afterlife, as bright reprises … Read More “Peter White: Groovin’ (Heads Up)”
Even pianist George Cables’ most devoted followers are apt to be surprised by this collection of original compositions-not so much by the quality of the … Read More “George Cables: The George Cables Songbook”
Following this West Coast ensemble’s two widely acclaimed recordings, Shot Through With Beauty and Live Beauty, Basement Blues may seem a departure, in tone and … Read More “John Stowell/Michael Zilber Quartet: Basement Blues”
New Orleans’ historic Saenger Theatre, May 3, 2014, Jazz Fest season: Unquestionably the right place, right time for a Crescent City all-star bash honoring Mac … Read More “Various Artists: The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music”
Nearly a quarter century has passed since Cuban pianist Omar Sosa emigrated to the States, launching a brilliant, internationally acclaimed recording career that shows not … Read More “Omar Sosa & Paolo Fresu: Eros”
