Russ Lossing’s career is centered on writing and playing his own music, but he’s intermittently addressed our ever-growing jazz canon with the kind of insight that … Read More “Russ Lossing: Changes (SteepleChase)”
The 70-year-old Argentinean pianist and composer Carlos Franzetti delights in mixing things up. Over four-plus decades he’s recorded symphonic (most recently, 2017’s Luminosa and 2018’s … Read More “Carlos Franzetti: Ricordare (Sunnyside)”
Keyboardist Alan Pasqua, 66, rose to prominence in the mid-1970s as part of drummer Tony Williams’ Lifetime, one of several visionary ensembles led by alumni … Read More “Alan Pasqua: Soliloquy (Mouthpiece Music)”
This is serious play at its most elegant and satisfying. Cyrus Chestnut takes on fare ranging from original compositions through the works of Mozart, Ravel, … Read More “Cyrus Chestnut: Kaleidoscope (HighNote)”
If the last word of this title gives you pause, please note the parentheses. Although Don Byron and Aruán Ortiz are not above dancing out … Read More “Don Byron/Aruán Ortiz: Random Dances and (A)tonalities (Intakt)”
Igbó Alákọrin feels at once like the most conservative and most daring album of David Virelles’ career. The pianist’s Afro-Cuban lineage has been an important influence … Read More “David Virelles: Igbó Alákọrin (The Singer’s Grove) Vol. I & II (Pi)”
The quandary facing 21st-century jazz singers is where to find fresh material. Actress and singer Capathia Jenkins isn’t a jazz vocalist, but she’s provided an … Read More “Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen: Phenomenal Woman: The Maya Angelou Songs (Di-Tone)”
Pianist Frank Kimbrough never really considered covering Thelonious Monk’s entire compositional oeuvre until a friend planted and watered the seed. Upon hearing Kimbrough perform a … Read More “Frank Kimbrough: Monk’s Dreams: The Complete Compositions of Thelonious Sphere Monk (Sunnyside)”
The late altoist Frank Morgan performed together frequently with pianist George Cables; evidence of that includes studio recordings of duets in 1986 (Double Image) and … Read More “Frank Morgan/George Cables: Montreal Memories (HighNote)”
Lucent Waters is a spray of vivid contrasts: contemplative pin-drop quietude giving way to explosive outbursts; dramatic displays of camaraderie offset by moments of solitary exploration; … Read More “Florian Weber: Lucent Waters (ECM)”
