Morgan Enos on social media
It was jaw-dropping when Jimmy Fallon ridiculed Peter Brötzmann on national TV. Last year, apropos of nothing, the giggly purveyor of “Slow Jam the News” … Read More “Peter Brötzmann/Fred Van Hove/Han Bennink: Jazz in der Kammer Nr. 71 (Trost)”
Even when tenor saxophonist Oded Tzur is barely making a sound with his horn, he’s moving. On stage, his tone may be serene and still, … Read More “Oded Tzur: Isabela (ECM)”
South African piano great Nduduzo Makhathini’s latest, In the Spirit of Ntu, shudders to life animated by outrage over a pernicious evil: the erasure of … Read More “Nduduzo Makhathini: In the Spirit of Ntu (Blue Note Africa)”
Tenor saxophonist Julieta Eugenio was recently reminded of the distinct pleasure one can derive from masters of her chosen instrument. While cooking at home and … Read More “Julieta Eugenio Takes a Giant Leap with Debut Album”
At its best, Chet Baker’s music wasn’t just warm, lyrical, and inviting—it was transportive. He tossed his voice like a paper airplane and stripped classic … Read More “Chet Baker Trio: Live in Paris: The Radio France Recordings 1983-1985 (Elemental)”
Israel-born trumpeter Avishai Cohen is one of the most consistently rewarding bandleaders on the ECM roster. His sound has only grown more personal, haunting, and … Read More “Avishai Cohen: Naked Truth (ECM)”
We’ve had vaccines for a year now, but the lockdown albums continue to rain on us. The jury’s out on how well they’ll age, but … Read More “Chris Dingman: Journeys Vol. 1 (Self-released)”
Pianist/composer Kenny Werner’s Effortless Mastery isn’t just a must-read for musicians. A mix of practical wisdom, psychospiritual musings, and cockeyed humor, the influential 1996 book … Read More “Kenny Werner: Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery from Music to Life (Sweet Lo Press)”
Jazz Twitter recently devolved into bedlam over the validity of standards, but one thing is certain—they still do what they were designed to do. To … Read More “Carlos Franzetti: In the Wee Small Hours (Sunnyside)”
From Straight Life to Jazz and Justice, creative-music literature is rife with horror stories about artists— especially Black ones—getting ripped off. As pianist/composer/educator Jason Moran … Read More “Chops: The Power of Bandcamp in Jazz”
Few musicians would argue that Bud Powell was the ultimate bebop pianist. “I think there was a time when Bud Powell was playing more than … Read More “Bud Powell: 1962 Stockholm/Oslo (SteepleChase)”
Forget scenes or subgenres: What vibe of jazz got you into this music? For this writer, it was the inimitable feeling of four or five … Read More “Brian Lynch: Songbook Vol. 1: Bus Stop Serenade (Hollistic MusicWorks)”
We know what you’re thinking: Oh, great, here come the pandemic albums. Those who didn’t merely dump their offerings on Bandcamp during the initial wave, … Read More “Champian Fulton: Live from Lockdown (Self-released)”
Some artists attempt to obfuscate their influences, or pretend they exist in a vacuum. Not Samara Joy. The 21-year-old jazz singer freely admits she’s the … Read More “Samara Joy: Samara Joy (Whirlwind)”
Did you know Sun Ra appeared on Saturday Night Live? It’s true. On May 20, 1978, comedy lifer Buck Henry introduced Ra and his “jazz-from-another-planet … Read More “Sun Ra: Lanquidity (Strut)”
Against all odds, Alice Coltrane’s meditation rugs remain vivid gold, scarlet, and green. Since she sold the home she’d shared with her husband John in … Read More “Living Spaces: Preserving Jazz Homes”
A review of the latest album from “the most extraordinary tenor saxophonist alive”
When it comes to jazz, there’s out and then there’s out. The latter is wonderful and worth exploring, but by design, it’s not for everyone. … Read More “Ocelot: Ocelot (577)”
A decade ago, an apprehensive yet thrilled Jihye Lee walked into the Berklee College of Music with no jazz background or knowledge of the English … Read More “Jihye Lee: Daring to Lead”
Tone Poem is where composers and forms coalesce and commingle. The latest offering from the 83-year-old saxophone great mixes originals with tunes by Ornette Coleman, … Read More “Charles Lloyd & The Marvels: Tone Poem (Blue Note)”
Given that he was one of the primary architects of bebop—revered by Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Don Cherry, and so many others—it’s surprising to note … Read More “Ethan Iverson/Umbria Jazz Orchestra: Bud Powell in the 21st Century (Sunnyside)”
One of the most beguiling ambient tracks you’ll ever hear—one worthy of Eno, Fripp, or Glass—is buried in the soundtrack to the SNES video game … Read More “The 8-Bit Big Band: At the Top of Its Game”
How good can sax-and-piano duets get? If alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo hadn’t recorded their Jazz Gallery livestream from last September, we … Read More “Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo: El Arte del Bolero (Miel)”
Javon Jackson is part of a heritage that’s second to none. An alumnus of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers during their 1980s home stretch, … Read More “Javon Jackson: Déjà Vu (Solid Jackson)”
Tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens hit the ground running in 2007 with The Timeless Now, featuring guitarist John Scofield, trombonist Nick Vagenas, pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist … Read More “The Dayna Stephens Quartet: Right Now! Live at the Village Vanguard (Contagious)”
Ever feel insecure about listening to jazz? Like it’s over your head? Well, it’s not. And if you need proof of this, pick up Jeff … Read More “Jeff Gold: Sittin’ In: Jazz Clubs of the 1940s and 1950s (Harper Design)”
Alan Broadbent first made his name in 1975 with Irene Kral on her nocturnal piano-and-voice album Where Is Love? Since then, his most visible appearances as … Read More “Alan Broadbent Trio: Trio in Motion (Savant)”
Within the last 18 months, Chick Corea has released albums with an eight-piece Latin ensemble (Antidote with the Spanish Heart Band) and a trio (Trilogy … Read More “Chick Corea: Plays (Concord)”
Jazz is always experiencing booms and busts, but the crossover sphere feels uncommonly lively right now. Which doesn’t mean good, necessarily. Often when you mix … Read More “Terrace Martin/Robert Glasper/9th Wonder/Kamasi Washington: Dinner Party (Sounds of Crenshaw/Empire)”
On alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s new themed album of John and Alice Coltrane covers, Pursuance: The Coltranes, she doesn’t just pay homage to jazz’s most … Read More “Chops: Lakecia Benjamin and the Coltranes”
