Jamie Cullum: Taller (Blue Note)
Recording for a legendary jazz label may be fraught with expectations, especially for a contemporary artist with unabashedly eclectic tastes. But at this stage in … Read More “Jamie Cullum: Taller (Blue Note)”
Mike Joyce
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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George Cables: I’m All Smiles (HighNote)
What a joy it is to find George Cables recording again following a series of potentially career-ending health issues. Clearly, as the title of this … Read More “George Cables: I’m All Smiles (HighNote)”
Vic Juris: Two Guitars (SteepleChase)
The title of Vic Juris’ latest release references one of the album’s chief strengths. Largely devoted to original, recently minted tunes, it’s brimming with tonal … Read More “Vic Juris: Two Guitars (SteepleChase)”
Bill Frisell/Thomas Morgan: Epistrophy (ECM)
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)”
Caesar Frazier: Closer to the Truth (Savant)
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)”
Mimi Fox: This Bird Still Flies (Origin)
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)”
Keiko Matsui: Echo (Shanachie)
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)”
Sound Underground: The Power of Three (Tiny Music)
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)”
Pat Bianchi: In the Moment (Savant)
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)”
John Escreet: Learn to Live (Blue Room)
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)”
Barre Phillips: End to End (ECM)
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)”
Open Land: Meeting John Abercrombie (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)”
No Fast Food: Settings for Three (CornerStore Jazz)
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)”
Bill O’Connell: Jazz Latin (Savant)
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)”
Adam Nussbaum: The Lead Belly Project (Sunnyside)
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)”
The Nels Cline 4: Currents, Constellations (Blue Note)
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)”
Jakob Bro: Returnings (ECM)
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)”
Rez Abbasi: Unfiltered Universe (Whirlwind)
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)”
Russell Malone: Time for the Dancers (HighNote)
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)”
Cyrus Chestnut: There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit (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)”
Sean Jones: Live From Jazz at the Bistro (Mack Avenue)
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)”
Jimmy Greene: Flowers: Beautiful Life—Volume 2 (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)”
Nate Najar: This Is Nate Najar (Candid)
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)”
Jeff Lorber Fusion: Prototype (Shanachie)
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)”
Omar Sosa & Seckou Keith: Transparent Water (Otá)
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)”
Jeremy Pelt: Make Noise! (HighNote)
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)”
Corey Christiansen: Factory Girl (Origin)
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)”
Mark Whitfield: Grace (Marksman)
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)”
Peter White: Groovin’ (Heads Up)
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)”
George Cables: The George Cables Songbook
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”