One of the bigger surprises in the avant-jazz world in 2011 was the resurgence of drummer Muhammad Ali in Planetary Unknown, the new quartet led … Read More “David S. Ware/Planetary Unknown : Live At Jazzfestival Saalfelden 2011”
While most of the tenor saxophonist’s landmark recordings on Impulse !-as a leader and as sideman with John Coltrane-have been reissued, Pharoah Sanders’ formative sessions … Read More “Pharoah Sanders: In the Beginning (1963-1964)”
Perhaps it’s too obvious to focus on geography to preface a review of a jazz album, but the title of Fast Citizens’ new Delmark release … Read More “Aram Shelton’s Fast Citizens: Two Cities”
Along with Dances With Bulls, Live marks the first time the seminal vibraphonist Teddy Charles has recorded as a leader since 1988, and only the … Read More “Teddy Charles & Walter Wolff Trio: Live”
To say that Boston-based electric guitarist/upright bassist Joe Morris is prolific would be an obvious understatement. In 2009 alone he released six albums, including this … Read More “Joe Morris Quartet: Today on Earth”
If one thing characterizes altoist Oliver Lake as an artist, it may be his perpetual state of flux, or at least his outright dedication to … Read More “Oliver Lake Organ Trio: Makin’ It”
Essentially the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble (sans guitarist Fareed Haque and trumpeter Corey Wilkes) augmented by a careening 39-piece orchestra in concert, Kahil El’Zabar’s Infinity Orchestra … Read More “Kahil El’Zabar’s Infinity Orchestra: Transmigration”
Arguably the most pivotal free-jazz violinist of the ’60s-internationally renowned for both his compositional and improvisational skills and vision in merging jazz and blues with … Read More “Leroy Jenkins Dies at 74”
When saxophonist Steve Lacy died in June 2004, he had amassed well over 300 personal cassette recordings of his concerts, spanning from the ’70s until … Read More “Steve Lacy Quintet: Esteem”