Alex Sipiagin: Upstream (Posi-Tone)
After nearly 20 albums as a leader, Alex Sipiagin takes what might be called a no-concept approach for his Posi-Tone debut. Backed by a sturdy … Read More “Alex Sipiagin: Upstream (Posi-Tone)”
Philip Booth
Philip Booth is a longtime arts journalist and bass player based in Florida. Formerly the pop music critic for the Tampa Tribune, he has contributed to many national publications, recently including the Washington Post, Jazziz, and Relix. His byline also has appeared in DownBeat, Bass Player, Billboard, Variety, Spin, Rolling Stone, and several academic journals. The debut CD from his band, Acme Jazz Garage, gained airplay on about 35 radio stations across the US.
Philip Booth on social media
Steven Feifke Big Band: Kinetic (Outside In)
There’s nothing like a regular residency to hone the playing of a big band and give such an ensemble—always a challenge just to keep gigging—a … Read More “Steven Feifke Big Band: Kinetic (Outside In)”
Harold Danko: Spring Garden (SteepleChase)
Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring has been an obsession for Harold Danko for more than a half-century, as the pianist relates in the liner … Read More “Harold Danko: Spring Garden (SteepleChase)”
Roni Ben-Hur: Stories (Dot Time)
There’s something refreshingly unhurried about how the program of music unfolds on Stories, the latest collection of original compositions and creative arrangements of others’ tunes … Read More “Roni Ben-Hur: Stories (Dot Time)”
Brian Bromberg Continues his Journey into the Eclectic
With 25 albums to his credit as a leader since his mid-’80s debut, Brian Bromberg is nothing if not prolific. The veteran of countless sessions … Read More “Brian Bromberg Continues his Journey into the Eclectic”
Hendrik Meurkens: Manhattan Samba (Height Advantage)
Brazilian melodies frequently are imbued with a certain yearning. Jazz harmonica master Hendrik Meurkens might call it Sehnsucht in his native German. Or maybe it’s … Read More “Hendrik Meurkens: Manhattan Samba (Height Advantage)”
John Patitucci/Vinnie Colaiuta/Bill Cunliffe: Trio (Le Coq)
Standards trios, even those featuring revered players, aren’t exactly rare. But few offer the degree of creativity and intuitive interplay demonstrated by pianist Bill Cunliffe, … Read More “John Patitucci/Vinnie Colaiuta/Bill Cunliffe: Trio (Le Coq)”
Lawrence Sieberth Creates His Own European Quartet
Performing with others, for in-the-flesh listeners in real time, requires one to think like an architect, and like a psychologist too. That, at least, is … Read More “Lawrence Sieberth Creates His Own European Quartet”
Monty Alexander: Love You Madly: Live at Bubba’s (Resonance)
“His music is always very, very joyful,” Kenny Barron says about fellow piano master Monty Alexander in the notes accompanying Love You Madly, documenting a … Read More “Monty Alexander: Love You Madly: Live at Bubba’s (Resonance)”
Brandi Disterheft Trio with George Coleman: Surfboard (Justin Time)
It’s probably no coincidence that Brandi Disterheft’s prowess as a bassist, on her fifth album as a leader, shines particularly bright on “The Pendulum at … Read More “Brandi Disterheft Trio with George Coleman: Surfboard (Justin Time)”
The Claire Daly Band: Rah! Rah! (Ride Symbol)
The rambunctious spirit of multi-instrumentalist and composer Rahsaan Roland Kirk is reflected in the Kirk interpretations and originals played by baritone saxophonist Claire Daly on … Read More “The Claire Daly Band: Rah! Rah! (Ride Symbol)”
Max Bessesen: Trouble (Ropeadope)
Often restless, hyperintense and urgent, sometimes relaxed, always probing: The music on Max Bessesen’s debut album is nothing if not evocative. He offers sonic portraits … Read More “Max Bessesen: Trouble (Ropeadope)”
Leni Stern: 4 (Leni Stern)
A New Yorker born in Munich, Leni Stern has been digging into West African rhythms and textures for years, studying in Mali and Senegal, performing … Read More “Leni Stern: 4 (Leni Stern)”
Jimmy Heath: Love Letter (Verve)
“Elegance in Action” would make an apropos alternate title for Love Letter, the final album released by saxophone great Jimmy Heath, who died at 93 … Read More “Jimmy Heath: Love Letter (Verve)”
Redman Mehldau McBride Blade: RoundAgain (Nonesuch)
Remember when Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade, fast-rising talents relatively new to New York, played together for about 18 months in … Read More “Redman Mehldau McBride Blade: RoundAgain (Nonesuch)”
Gary Smuylan: Our Contrafacts (SteepleChase)
Last time Gary Smulyan led a trio on a set of contrafacts (the name for new melodies built on chord progressions of well-known compositions), the … Read More “Gary Smuylan: Our Contrafacts (SteepleChase)”
Chris McCarthy: Still Time to Quit (Ropeadope)
A rising star on the New York scene, pianist Chris McCarthy has made his name playing and/or recording with trumpeter Jason Palmer, saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, … Read More “Chris McCarthy: Still Time to Quit (Ropeadope)”
Jason Miles/Kind of New: Black Magic (Ropeadope)
Like his first album under the Kind of New moniker, a 2015 collaboration with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, Jason Miles’ Black Magic is all about steep, … Read More “Jason Miles/Kind of New: Black Magic (Ropeadope)”
Andrea Brachfeld: Brazilian Whispers (Origin)
For Brazilian Whispers, veteran flutist Andrea Brachfeld dives deep into the Jobim book, turning out fresh interpretations of familiar gems. Best known for her affiliations … Read More “Andrea Brachfeld: Brazilian Whispers (Origin)”
Vincent Herring/Bobby Watson/Gary Bartz: Bird at 100 (Smoke Sessions)
His recorded body of work the holy scripture of bebop saxophone, alto giant Charlie Parker has been the subject of hundreds of tribute albums since … Read More “Vincent Herring/Bobby Watson/Gary Bartz: Bird at 100 (Smoke Sessions)”
Nicholas Payton: Relaxin’ with Nick (Smoke Sessions)
Per its title, Relaxin’ with Nick captures Nicholas Payton fully laidback, on music culled from a weekend of performances at NYC’s Smoke earlier this year. … Read More “Nicholas Payton: Relaxin’ with Nick (Smoke Sessions)”
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The Scene: Brigadoon by the Beach
The long-running Suncoast Jazz Festival, its 29th edition slated for this November on Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Fla., might best be defined by the kind … Read More “The Scene: Brigadoon by the Beach”
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Amendola vs. Blades: Everybody Wins (Royal Potato Family)
Having first collaborated for a 2006 performance of Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite, organist/keyboardist Wil Blades and drummer Scott Amendola stepped out as a recording … Read More “Amendola vs. Blades: Everybody Wins (Royal Potato Family)”
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Monty Alexander: Wareika Hill (RastaMonk Vibrations) (MACD)
“Like a Rastafarian in Jamaica, he was different,” Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander says of Thelonious Monk, whom he first heard in person at New York … Read More “Monty Alexander: Wareika Hill (RastaMonk Vibrations) (MACD)”
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Jimmy Cobb: This I Dig of You (Smoke Sessions)
Is there a ride cymbal more integral to solid groove-making on more jazz recordings and performances than the one(s) played by drummer Jimmy Cobb, the … Read More “Jimmy Cobb: This I Dig of You (Smoke Sessions)”
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Bob Sheppard: The Fine Line (Challenge)
As a first-call L.A. saxophonist, Bob Sheppard has famously toured with Steely Dan, played with loads of notable jazzers and marquee-name pop stars, and has … Read More “Bob Sheppard: The Fine Line (Challenge)”
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Al Foster: Inspirations & Dedications (Smoke Sessions)
Only 16 when he started playing trio gigs with the likes of Larry Willis and Eddie Gomez, drummer Al Foster has spent six decades as … Read More “Al Foster: Inspirations & Dedications (Smoke Sessions)”
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Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People: Our People (Whaling City Sound)
Five musicians, 40 instruments, 19 interrelated compositions, five consecutive days in a Queens home studio, 66 minutes of music: By the numbers alone, Gerry Gibbs’ … Read More “Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People: Our People (Whaling City Sound)”
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Live Review: 2019 Montreal Jazz Festival, Weekend 1
One way to define a music festival: the sum of its memorable moments. There were plenty of those moments to savor during the first four … Read More “Live Review: 2019 Montreal Jazz Festival, Weekend 1”
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Remy Le Boeuf: Light as a Word (Le Boeuf)
For Remy Le Boeuf’s debut as a leader, after four well-received recordings with identical twin brother Pascal, the alto saxophonist fronts a tight-knit ensemble for … Read More “Remy Le Boeuf: Light as a Word (Le Boeuf)”
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