Michael Ullman

Jazz Album Reviews: Two Remarkable Duets — Charlie Haden/Jim Hall, Kenny Barron/Dave Holland

November 3, 2014
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Jim Hall sounds at his best on these newly issued duets. So does Charlie Haden, whose plangent sound has rarely, if ever, been captured so well.

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Jazz Review: British Saxophonist Evan Parker Brings his Brand of Innovation to Boston

September 19, 2014
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Free and fluid as it was, the set made memorable sense to the packed crowd at the Lily Pad.

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Album Review: Wadada Leo Smith’s “The Great Lakes Suites” — A Miraculous Freedom

September 16, 2014
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Wadada Leo Smith’s latest album features a series of miraculous performances that give a new meaning to freedom: the sometimes lengthy and airily open improvisations take us on journeys but never seem to wander.

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Fuse Jazz CD Review: “Singular Curves” — An Album of Subtle Insinuations

August 14, 2014
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With their expert handling of powerfully understated compositions, this trio’s performances insinuate themselves into your mind and age there like fine wine.

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Jazz CD Review: Pianist Fred Hersch’s “Floating” – A Constant Delight

July 25, 2014
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Pianist Fred Hersch’s ballad playing is one of the special treats in contemporary jazz.

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Fuse CD Note: Pianist Gilbert Kalish — As Usual, Distinguished and Appealing Performances

July 19, 2014
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Gilbert Kalish’s recital is as distinguished and appealing as one would expect.

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Jazz Remembrance: Bassist Charlie Haden — August 6, 1937 – July 11, 2014

July 14, 2014
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“One of the great things about improvisation is that it teaches you the importance of the moment and how to live in that moment and place importance on this life and making this life better.”

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Jazz Review: The Vijay Iyer Trio and Poet Robert Pinsky Create POEMJAZZ

March 16, 2014
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The first part of the evening worked: Robert Pinsky was a good enough actor, his poetry was sufficiently transparent, and Vijay Iyer proved to be a brilliant accompanist.

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Concert Review: Jack DeJohnette’s Spring Quartet — Creative Flexibility Times Four

March 8, 2014
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The point of the Spring Quartet, one assumes, is to showcase its four multi-talented members, particularly their talents as composers.

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Fuse Concert/CD Review: Matt Wilson Quartet plus John Medeski, at Sculler’s

February 2, 2014
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The Matt Wilson Quartet prides itself on variety: the band can play ersatz Indian music, free jazz, and funky rhythm and blues, as well as an occasional touching ballad.

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