Marc Copland: Zenith

After releasing a series of excellent but under-recognized CDs on various small record labels--starting in the mid-1980s--pianist Marc Copland rose in prominence in 2006 when he took up residence on Germany's Pirouet Records. The highlight of his Pirouet days was a set of trio discs wrapped in a mar... [ read more ]

Roswell Rudd/Jamie Saft/Trevor Dunn/Balazs Pandi: Strength and Power

Buckle up. This is one wild ride that cares not for your apprehension, concerns, expectations, or fears. Pianist m: Jamie Saft and two of his regular collaborators--bassist m: Trevor Dunn and drummer m: Balazs Pandi--got together with trombone icon {{m: Roswell Rud... [ read more ]

Take Five With Ferit Odman

About Ferit Odman Ferit Odman is an on demand and busy jazz drummer based in jny: Istanbul. He started his music studies in Sweden as an AFS exchange student (1999), got a full scholarship to get his B.A. in Music at Istanbul Bilgi University (2001), attended the School For Improvisation worksho...

Bokani Dyer: World Music

It's not exactly a secret that the concept of "World Music" isn't all that its name implies. That tag, still in wide use today, became somewhat meaningless a couple decades back, serving primarily as an umbrella category to market any and every form of non-Western music to Western ears. But South Af... [ read more ]

Take Five with William Hooker

About William Hooker I grew up in New Britain, Connecticut and basically was a good student, and came from a good home. I did all that I could possibly do to make my way through New Britain High School, Nathan Hale Junior High, and Central Conn. State College. I tried to get good grades to be an exc...

Roxy Coss: Restless Idealism

Upcoming saxophonist m: Roxy Coss opens her splendid Origin Records debut, Restless Idealism with a traditional approach on her original tune, "Don't Cross the Coss." It's a happy and assertive sound, and when she takes her first solo, her and robust tone bring {{m: Coleman Hawkins = 750... [ read more ]

Kitt Lyles: Real Talk

Real Talk is the debut album for young South Carolina-bred bassist m: Kitt Lyles who earned a degree in Jazz Studies from Northwestern University in 2013. As all the compositions are Lyles,' its success rests as much on his skills as a writer as his serving as a beacon for the sextet's a... [ read more ]

Bob Wijnen: NYC Unforeseen

The first minute of Dutch pianist Bob Wijnen's debut album is very telling, but not because of what he does. Rather, it's what Wijnen doesn't do that sets these opening moments apart: Instead of announcing his arrival by hitting on all cylinders and showcasing himself, he hands this prime piece of r... [ read more ]

Nancy Erickson: While Strolling Through the Park

Listening to "New Year's Eve," Nancy Erickson's original composition opening her third recording, While Strolling Through the Park, makes me recall the songwriting of Dr. Louise Van Aarsen (Destiny (Self Produced, 2012)). Both sport a very contemporary and adult vision of falling in love, having... [ read more ]

Gilad Hekselman: Homes

The "heir apparent" concept does not exist in jazz. Younger artists seeking status and respect must earn it through the rigors of performing and creating music through their own voice and merit. While the talented Israeli-born New York-based guitarist Gilad Hekselman's skill has been likened to {{m... [ read more ]

Ronan Guilfoyle: Hands

In a thirty-year career as a leader, Irish bassist Ronan Guilfoyle has built an international reputation as a rhythmically advanced musician and a sophisticated, challenging composer. From indo-jazz suites to contemporary classical music (composed and improvised) and from extended works inspired by... [ read more ]

Myra Melford + Ben Goldberg: Dialogue

In the their first duo release Dialogue avant-garde jazz pianist Myra Melford and clarinetist Ben Goldberg's two instruments move in tandem yet independently, complimenting one another while exhibiting distinct qualities. At the forefront of open-minded music, the two have worked together in other e... [ read more ]

Hannes Riepler: Wild Life

Austrian-born guitarist and composer Hannes Riepler moved to the UK a decade ago, releasing debut album The Brave (Jellymould Jazz) in 2012. Wild Life is his second album: with a new and slightly stripped-down line-up (no keyboards this time around) it's an equally impressive outing.Most of the tune... [ read more ]

Swiss Jazz Orchestra: Pools: Live at Jazzfestival Bern

As if a new CD by the superlative Swiss Jazz Orchestra weren't enough to start New Year 2016 on a high note, Pools presses home the considerable talents of the orchestra's special guests, vibraphonist m: Mike Mainieri and drummer m: Peter Erskine, in a dynamic performance taped... [ read more ]

Steve Lacy Quintet: Last Tour

As its title says, this album dates from m: Steve Lacy's last tour, which ran from the summer of 2003 in NYC through to March 2004 in Boston, (where Lacy was living at the time, as he was teaching at the New England Conservatory of Music). The eight tracks on this album were recorded in B... [ read more ]

Jane Getter Premonition: Jane Getter Premonition: ON

While it's true that, in the rock world, there are relatively few female guitarists, especially those leaning towards the heavier and more progressive side of the equation, that doesn't mean that those intrepid enough to enter what has traditionally been a man's world should be assessed on anything... [ read more ]

Aruan Ortiz Trio: Hidden Voices

The jazz piano trio comes in a wide spectrum of approaches, from the traditional--m: Red Garland, m: Tommy Flanagan--to the way out there avant-garde, like m: Cecil Taylor. When the subject of "Cuban pianists" comes up, some of the first names that come to mind are p... [ read more ]

Sam Crockatt: Mells Bells

"Canon" opens with precisely that musical device, piano and tenor sax chasing each other around until, changing tempo, the tune cleverly morphs into a moderately-paced melodically memorable number. Pianist Kit Downes offers some truly swinging piano followed by Sam Crockatt on articulate tenor saxop... [ read more ]

Christine Jensen/Maggi Olin: Transatlantic Conversations: 11 Piece Band Live

Prior to the release of her marvelous big band outing, Habitat (Justin time, 2013), Canada's m: Christine Jensen was probably best know as the alto saxophone-playing sister of high profile trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Sweden's m: Maggi Olin's major notoriety--on the United States... [ read more ]

Lajos Dudas: Radio Days: The Music of Lajos Dudas

German-Hungarian jazz clarinetist/composer m: Lajos Dudas has been performing on the radio for a long time. This "Birthday Edition 75" collects performances dating from 1984 to the early 2000s: about twenty years. All but one track was also composed by him, so it's a good picture of his... [ read more ]

Scott Clark 4tet: Bury My Heart

Richmond, VA., resident Scott Clark is a drummer who projects a lot of get-up-and-go during these jaunty progressive jazz works, inspired by his Native American ancestry. Hence, the 4tet and guest artists execute a set framed on Native American incidents largely based on hardships and trauma but Cla... [ read more ]

Ches Smith with Craig Taborn and Mat Maneri: The Bell

Percussionist m: Ches Smith presents an album of chamber music for acoustic trio on his ECM debut as leader. Smith is often heard on drums in projects with guitarist m: Mary Halvorson and as a member of saxophonist m: Tim Berne's Snakeoil, among others. But he open... [ read more ]

Amina Figarova: Blue Whisper

Pianist and composer m: Amina Figarova is truly a citizen of the world. Born and raised in Baku, Azerbaijan, she decamped to the Netherlands in the 1980s to study at the Rotterdam Conservatory, and then to Boston in 1989 to continue her studies at Berklee. Blue Whisper is her 12th record... [ read more ]

Fuchsia: Fuchsia

In the late 1960s and beyond, British bands such as Fairport Convention and a few others made a splash by fusing folk and rock into a cohesive whole, and in many instances caught the attention of progressive rock acolytes, due to the artists' high-level of musicianship and multifarious song-forms. E... [ read more ]

Julian Shore: Which Way Now?

If the jazz world decided to elect a single questioning phrase to sum up its craft, this album title would be a great candidate. With three words and a single punctuation mark, the very heart of jazz--a music of infinite decision(s), not indecision, as some may (mis)read that--is laid out for all to... [ read more ]

Take Five With Mario Duenas

About Mario DueA as: Mario DueA as was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He was introduced to the piano at the age of 5, developing a special interest in harmony, and soon began a self-teaching process through record transcribing and bibliographic studies. Years later, Mario established a variety of ensem...

Mo' Blow: Live In Berlin

It's over a decade since funk quartet Mo' Blow formed and those ten years have given the band ample time to develop its skills as a tight, dynamic, outfit. Live In Berlin is the band's first live album and its third album on Germany's ACT label. The live situation is where Mo' Blow clearly flourishe... [ read more ]

Evan Parker/John Russell/John Edwards, Pat Thomas, Alison Blunt/Benedict Taylor/David Leahy, Kay Grant/Alex Ward: Making Rooms

Originated by guitarist m: John Russell and pianist/trumpeter m: Chris Burn, Mopomoso is an improvised-music organisation that has run a series of monthly concerts in London ever since 1991, making it the longest-running such series in the UK. Between April 23rd and 30th 2013... [ read more ]

Susie Arioli: Spring

Canadian Jazz singer from Montreal and multiple Juno-Award nominee Susie Arioli, presents another spectacular rhythm-based recording on Spring, a spectacular blues and soul-influenced vocal project combining four fresh originals with a selection of vibrant standards for a very spicy and rousing good... [ read more ]

Yago Vazquez/Scott Lee/Jeff Hirshfield: Stream

The "New Talent" on the very fine Fresh Sound New Talent release, Stream, is pianist m: Yago Vazquez, who hails from Spain, but who moved to NYC in 2008 to study at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music where he graduated with honors in 2010. His band mates in this cooperative p... [ read more ]

Jeff Coffin with Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band: The Inside of the Outside

The first time woodwind artist m: Jeff Coffin heard m: Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band, he was greatly impressed--so much so that he decided to record an album with the band. You may be impressed too, especially upon learning that the Super Band, which sounds for all the... [ read more ]

School Of Music Graduate Ensemble: Like No One Else

The University of the Arts in Philadelphia (UARTS) has one of the premier jazz education programs in the USA. This excellence is apparent in the exceptional careers of some of their alumni, such as bassist m: Stanley Clarke and trombonist m: Robin Eubanks. It is also documented... [ read more ]

Carol Welsman: Alone Together

Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist Carol Welsman unveils her eleventh album as leader with the audacious Alone Together where she's never alone and altogether very spicy and splendid on vocals as well as on the keys. The album contains a superb selection of time-honored standards like Sammy Cahn's... [ read more ]

Quartet: Quartet. Live at the Deer Head Inn

A few months ago, I discovered the e:Deer Head Inn at the Delaware Water Gap.. That led to discovery of Deer Head Records. Which led to the discovery of this recording. Sometimes, ignorance can lead to bliss. I hadn't heard much of m: Joe Locke, and aside from {{m: Bill Goodwin... [ read more ]

David Bowie: David Bowie: Blackstar

The 10-year long absence from the limelight clearly didn't dim singer David Bowie's sense of guile or invention. That was clearly evident with the sudden reappearance with the utterly brilliant The Next Day which pilot single "Where Are We Now?" appeared from nowhere on his birthday and delighting m... [ read more ]

Thelonius: Where Do We Go From Here?

Where Do We Go From Here? asks Bristol-based Thelonius on a seven track live mini album featuring the hip-hop tunes (from A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, Gang Starr and others) that formed the core of the band's early influences. Where indeed. The title might suggest a band that's lacking direction... [ read more ]

Bill Stewart: Space Squid

The musicians that appear on Space Squid only played one gig together as a band before recording this music, but the connections were there prior to that performance and studio session. Drummer m: Bill Stewart's relationship with pianist m: Bill Carrothers and saxophonist {{m... [ read more ]

Jenny Maybee/Nick Phillips: Haiku

Trumpeter m: Nick Phillips established himself as a great believer in the power of toned-down art when he released the attractively mellow Moment To Moment (Self Produced, 2014) with pianist m: Cava Menzies. That album retained a magically hushed aura from start to finish, sh... [ read more ]

Mike Moreno: Lotus

A blooming lotus is like a magnet for the eyes, calling those who appreciate beauty, vibrancy, and shapeliness to gaze upon one of nature's small wonders. Guitarist Mike Moreno's Lotus has a similar draw, summoning the ears with its enchanting sonics and chimerical ideals. On this, Moreno's fifth al... [ read more ]

Take Five with Landry

About Landry: Success is singlehandedly the greatest form of service ever invented by humankind. It is in our wellbeing that we can best serve others. It is in our abundance that we can best serve others. It is in our joy that we can best serve others. Ultimately, it is in our thriving that the worl...

Eric Olsen ReVision Quartet: Sea Changes

Many classical-jazz crossover projects come off as half-baked exercises in compromise, uncomfortable in the attempt of marriage and painful to observe. This one doesn't. Pianist Eric Olsen put together a first-rate foursome--the aptly-named ReVision Quartet--to perform revamped takes on the music of... [ read more ]

Dr. Lonnie Smith: Evolution

Artist repatriation seems to be something of a theme in the Don Was era of Blue Note Records. In 2013 there was the return of saxophonist m: Wayne Shorter, a jazz giant who delivered many of his landmark '60s albums on this storied imprint. Then, in 2015, Charles Lloyd left ECM for Blue N... [ read more ]

Pawel Kaczmarczyk Audiofeeling Trio: Something Personal

For fans of Pawel Kaczmarczyk it's been a lengthy wait for a follow-up to Complexity in Simplicity (ACT Music, 2009), his sole recording for Siggi Loch's label. Six years seems like too long a gap for such a prodigiously talented performer and composer but this extended stewing period sees the Krako... [ read more ]

Martin Schulte Quartet featuring Frederik KoI ster: Walking Distance

German jazz guitarist m: Martin Schulte opens this excellent quartet outing with the title tune. The title must be a play on the prominent walking bass line provided by bassist m: Matthias Nowak, but it's also a catchy, swinging piece with dramatic, unexpected stops (as well... [ read more ]

The Turbine!: Entropy/Enthalpy

Among a stream of US/French collaborations documented on the Rogue Art label, The Turbine! represents an unlikely combination: two double basses and two drum kits. One pair hails from each side of the ocean with the Chicago team of m: Hamid Drake and m: Harrison Bankhead match... [ read more ]

Slivovitz: All You Can Eat

This Italian progressive rock, jazz fusion unit named after an Eastern European plum brandy unleashes a wealth of insightful and melodically focused arrangements via its unique sound, marked by diverse instrumentation and cunning arrangements. As a long- awaited follow-up to Bani Ahead (Moonjune, 20... [ read more ]

Jacob Varmus Septet: Aegean

The existence of this album is firm proof that you never know just when or how a benefactor can come into view. Lifelong jazz fan Apostolos Georgopoulos was passing through upstate New York and he had the opportunity to spend a weekend with Connie Casey and Harold Varmus. Upon hearing some music at... [ read more ]

Scott DuBois: Winter Light

The journey from morning to night, from the dark and promising wintry dawn to the gelid day's goodbye, is one fraught with possibility. At least that's how guitarist Scott DuBois sees it. On Winter Light, Dubois tells the story of a single frigid day. It's as wondrous, chilling, atmospheric, and pow... [ read more ]