Michael Ullman

Jazz Album Review: A Confidently Rousing “La Marseillaise” from Pianist Laszlo Gardony

October 25, 2019
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One of the strengths of Laszlo Gardony’s playing is his confident insistence on what he is doing, his impressive self-assurance.

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Jazz Album Review: “Zigsaw: Music of Steve Lampert” — A Complex Dream

October 3, 2019
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For many listeners, Zigsaw will serve as a welcome introduction, not only to a virtuoso jazz ensemble led by an innovative leader, but to the music of composer Steve Lampert.

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Jazz CD Review: A “Lost” John Coltrane Recording — “Blue World”

September 4, 2019
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Blue World is valuable for its pellucid recording of takes of tunes Coltrane’s fans already love. They will have to have it.

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Jazz Concert Review: The Montreal Jazz Festival Turns 40, Part Two

July 9, 2019
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A sense of promise remains a hallmark of the Montreal Jazz Festival — always end by looking forward.   

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Jazz Concert Review: The Montreal Jazz Festival Turns 40, Part One

July 6, 2019
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The Montreal Jazz Festival is overwhelming in a way, but somehow genial, and finally inspiring.

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Jazz CD Review: Satoko Fujii’s “Confluence” — Invigorating Experiments

June 27, 2019
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Satoko Fujii and Ramon Lopez are clear-eyed adventurers; this is free jazz that shimmers with inquisitive transparency.

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Jazz LP Review: Newvelle Records’ Sensational Season Four

June 22, 2019
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These records are filled with music from some of the most intriguing and, indeed, sought after, jazz musicians playing today.

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Jazz CD Review: Ralph Peterson and the Messenger Legacy — Hard Bop, Revived

May 21, 2019
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Once again, drummer Ralph Peterson pays fine homage to Art Blakey’s tradition of joyous, hard-edged bashing jazz.

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Jazz CD Review: Fred Hersch with the WDR Big Band — A Composer’s Flair

May 16, 2019
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Vince Mendoza’s colorful arrangements give us a welcome new way to appreciate Fred Hersch’s impressive creativity — his amply satisfying accomplishments as a composer.

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Jazz CD Review: Jason Palmer’s “Rhyme and Reason” — Intricate Artistry

March 5, 2019
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Trumpeter Jason Palmer’s mastery is of the unimposing kind, which this piano-less quartet seamlessly reflects.

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