Chops: School of Swing
Steve Smith coaches rockers on the tenets of jazz drumming
Steve Smith
Artist’s Choice: Steve Smith on Young(er) Drum Masters
In tune with tradition, but bringing fresh ideas
Borah Bergman: The River of Sounds
Every now and then, the inadequacy of language to describe a musical performance fairly well smacks you upside the head-especially when the performance in question … Read More “Borah Bergman: The River of Sounds”
Curlew: Meet the Curlews!
The Knitting Factory chose wisely when it selected Curlew’s kinetic, tuneful “St. Croix” to open the first of its Live at the Knitting Factory releases … Read More “Curlew: Meet the Curlews!”
Ballin’ the Jack: The Big Head
Saxophonist and clarinetist Matt Darriau’s swing band Ballin’ the Jack made its aims clear on its first album, Jungle. Instead of offering the typical carefully … Read More “Ballin’ the Jack: The Big Head”
Archie Shepp: The Sound and the Fury
Cincinnati’s April riots, ignited by the police shooting of Timothy Thomas and fuelled by lingering racial tensions, took me back to the culmination of Spike … Read More “Archie Shepp: The Sound and the Fury”
Michael Blake: Drift
The titular drift of saxophonist Michael Blake’s sophomore effort might well be of the continental variety-large masses of land have parted company in less time … Read More “Michael Blake: Drift”
Bill Bruford and Earthworks: The Sound of Surprise
Best known for his high-profile stints in Yes and King Crimson, drummer Bill Bruford has been taking little vacations from his day job for something … Read More “Bill Bruford and Earthworks: The Sound of Surprise”