jazz Archives - Page 17 of 30

Medeski Martin & Wood: Free Magic

Doug Collette September 26, 2012 No Comments

Free Magic might sound too arcane for its own good, but the title track, coupled with "Ballade in C Minor, Vergessene Seelen," interweaves the exotic sounds of the opener in almost equal proportion to the traditional piano trio approach. "Where's Sly," from their second album in 1993, It’s A Jungle in Here, thus becomes a refreshing and emphatic close to a recording that, through the course of its playing time, develops an identity all its own…much like the band who made it, by the process of constant reinvention.

Bill Evans –

Chad Berndtson April 10, 2012 No Comments

You need just a few more adjectives and addendums to nail all that is Evans, who cut his teeth playing jazz lofts in New York City starting in the late 70s, logged time with Miles Davis and many others throughout the 80s, remained a core member of the adventurous group Elements well into the 90s, and has over the past 20 years or so made armfuls of fascinating records in a wide variety of contexts and combos, jazz and non. This is the same Bill Evans who’s equally comfortable sitting in with the Allman Brothers Band – as he did, again, during this year’s Beacon run in New York – as he is with Herbie Hancock or Bela Fleck.

Esperanza Spalding: Radio Music Society

Nick Gunther March 29, 2012 No Comments

The format of musical structure that represented Esperanza Spalding’s 2010 release Chamber Music Society is one that is centuries old. It’s a presentation of music that had birthed itself in classical realms within a very intimate environment. Originally Spalding was looking to release that record as a double effort alongside a possibly more familiar sounding arrangement, made available for an additional audience, but success has left time as a premium and that project would wait to unveil itself, until now in the form of Radio Music Society.

Jamie Masefield & Doug Perkins: Muddy Waters, Burlington, VT 2/23/12

Doug Collette February 29, 2012 No Comments

As much of a pleasure as it is to be able to witness such brilliance in a warm intimate setting, any of the attendees (whose number never topped 50) might wish it was pure choice, as a respite from larger venues and bigger crowds, rather than necessity on the part of the artists: a hat was passed in lieu of admission charge. Be that as it may, the purity of the music was right in tune with the air of the clear starry night outside, an unofficial soundtrack for the winter season if there ever was one.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue: Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA 9/15/11

Gerry Hardy October 3, 2011 No Comments

In the three days just before hitting the Orpheum Theatre in Boston last Thursday, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews was busy. His band’s new album, For True was released 9/13, he kicked off the night prior with a release party at the venerable Tipitina’s in his hometown New Orleans, and then followed the next night by a industry type showcase set at The Box in New York, later to be followed with a Late Night With Jimmy Fallon appearance with The Roots.

John Scofield: A Moment’s Peace

Doug Collette September 28, 2011 No Comments

With tunes from The Beatles (McCartney’s “I Will”) residing comfortably next to standards of a different era ("I Loves You Porgy"), the array of songs matches the versatility of the musicians involved. Deserving an audience beyond that of the genre itself A Moment’s Peace is a seamless piece of contemporary jazz that that never betrays an unnecessary compromise to broaden its appeal.

Pat Metheny: What’s It All About

Nick Gunther June 14, 2011 No Comments

In his exploration of the limits of solo production, Pat Metheny’s last album, Orchestrion, succeeded at bringing together his own musical thoughts and combining them with technology to create an orchestra driven off of a singular input. His latest project, What’s It All About, is a collection of acoustic covers of songs that have meant something to him, particularly in the early time period of his life where music was playing a more profound role.

Soulive: The Pour House, Charleston, SC 4/28/11

Eric Liebetrau May 11, 2011 No Comments

Just two months past their 12th anniversary, Soulive continues to evolve within the trio configuration it seems that each couple years brings a new feel and invigorated sound.

Garage a Trois: Always Be Happy But Stay Evil

Nathan Rodriguez April 19, 2011 No Comments

With its fifth release, Garage a Trois has crafted an album destined to go down as one of the best instrumental releases of the last couple decades. That may sound a tad hyperbolic, but Always Be Happy but Stay Evil showcases the extraordinary range of four musicians at the top of their respective games.

Esperanza Spalding: Chamber Music Society

Nick Gunther October 11, 2010 No Comments

Chamber Music Society, co-produced by Ms. Spalding and Gil Goldstein, embodies a sense of wholeness as the tracks have a flowing connective nature to them. Deviating from a standard rhythm, Ms. Spalding twines multiple time signatures together on “Really Very Small” which features her free floating vocals and a reoccurring bass line complemented with a tangential piano riff.

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