Chano Domínguez is from Cádiz, Spain, the birthplace (according to legend) of flamenco. His discography is mostly on Spanish labels. He released two records on Blue Note in 2010 and 2012 (Piano Ibérico and Flamenco Sketches), but they are atypical and already rarities. Over the Rainbow came out last year on Sunnyside; now there’s Chano…Read More

Interstellar Adventures makes good on the promise displayed on 2017’s Promethean, the young pianist’s debut for Posi-Tone, and 2015’s Live at Smalls, his first as a leader. It also far surpasses them in originality and pluck. Where the earlier outings, particularly Promethean, showed Hill to be an imaginative player with one eye focused keenly on…Read More

Mosaic Records box sets tend to be for collectors and completists; Classic Brunswick & Columbia Teddy Wilson Sessions 1934-1942 is more like a primer on the jazz pianist once regarded as second only to Art Tatum. No, it doesn’t include the dates with Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday that made Wilson famous. It does, however,…Read More

Dave Holland and Evan Parker go way back, having first met during the British jazz avant-garde’s early flourishing in the 1960s. To have the bassist and saxophonist renew their lengthy acquaintance in a recording studio is notable enough, but to make matters more intriguing, they’ve hooked up on this double-disc set with two players of…Read More

The Esbjörn Svensson Trio was the Bad Plus of Europe, drawing a new generation of listeners to jazz. As practiced by e.s.t. and TBP—bands famous enough among the young to be known by their initials—jazz is not exclusively art for graying cognoscenti. It can be like rock or pop: more fun, less work. The 17-year…Read More

This skilled alto saxophonist’s fifth studio album as a leader and first in six years gets underway promisingly with the fast-moving “In the Trenches.” Backed by guitarist Adam Rogers, bassist James Genus and drummer Bill Stewart, Tia Fuller taps into the tune’s frenetic pace yet also asserts her control over it with a judicious solo.…Read More

Henry Threadgill 14 Or 15 Kestra: Agg: Dirt … and More Dirt (Pi) Henry Threadgill Ensemble Double Up: Double Up, Plays Double Up Plus (Pi) Henry Threadgill will never be accused of resting on his laurels. The legendary multireedist and composer’s first new work since winning the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2016 is actually…Read More

The appeal of Bliss is simple: Lauren Sevian plays the deep, full-bodied baritone sax with the spry agility of an alto saxophonist. And while there are a few of Sevian’s peers that can claim the same, they aren’t partnered with bassist Christian McBride. Drummer E.J. Strickland and pianist Robert Rodriguez round out the star-spangled quartet.…Read More

Kenny Barron has never had anything going for himself except excellence. He is neither charismatic nor flamboyant. Perhaps because his mastery of modern mainstream jazz piano is so comprehensive, he has been more admired than loved. He has also transcended the flaws and mannerisms that humanize lesser piano players. While excellence usually prevails, and while…Read More

Look past JD Allen’s propulsiveness as a player and you’ll note that his melodic sense has always leaned toward the concise. Ballads may have seemed previously like tokens on the tenor saxophonist’s hard-driving and exploratory records, but a whole album of them is actually a natural fit for him. Love Stone, recorded with his longtime…Read More