Michael Ullman

Fuse Concert Review: Pianist Fred Hersch and Guitarist Julian Lage — A Sublime Duo

November 23, 2013
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The set was thrilling, full of the most intelligent byplay, and consistently songful. Chamber music doesn’t get any better than this.

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Classical Music CD Review: Ralph Alessi’s “Baida” — Consistently Surprising

October 28, 2013
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Ralph Alessi’s compositions are flexible rather than tightly organized, yet their initial statements are strong enough to dominate even the freest group improvisations that follow.

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Jazz Album Review: Fred Hersch and Julian Lage — Gloriously “Free Flying”

September 29, 2013
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One of the remarkable aspects of these duets is that almost nowhere is either player — Fred Hersch or Julian Lage — reduced to mere comping.

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Classical CD Review: Pianist Leon Fleisher — A Box Set of Greatness

September 5, 2013
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Leon Fleisher was part of an outburst of great North American pianists. Many were ill-fated, but, as this commanding box set proves, Fleisher stayed the course.

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Jazz Review: The Jussi Reijonen Quartet — Fascinating Eclecticism

September 2, 2013
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Jessie Reijonen’s eclectic and spacious approach to jazz is a deliberate attempt to investigate, not necessarily fuse, his disparate roots.

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Fuse Jazz Review: Pianist Marc Cary — A Virtuoso Yarnspinner

August 31, 2013
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Pianist Marc Cary came to Sculler’s to play the neglected compositions of celebrated singer Abbey Lincoln.

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Fuse News: The Late Jazz Pianist Marian McPartland, A Powerhouse Musician and Educator

August 23, 2013
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Marian McPartland, who died on August 20 at the age of 95, was many things: a charming, gracious, and also tough-minded woman, an educator and mentor to many, an author, a business woman, and, lest we forget, a powerhouse musician.

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Fuse News CD Review: Pianist Chick Corea’s Extroverted “Vigil”

August 22, 2013
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According to Chick Corea, this recording contains first impressions of the compositions that he’ll be playing with his band on upcoming tours. It’ll be interesting to hear how these tunes and this group develops.

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Fuse News: Grace Notes for Pianist Cedar Walton

August 21, 2013
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The late Cedar Walton was part of some of the most potent bands in the history of jazz, most famously Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.

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Classical CD Review: An Inspiring 80th Birthday Tribute to Conductor Claudio Abbado

July 22, 2013
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This attractive, inexpensive box set dedicated to Claudio Abbado contains a rich gathering of lucid, colorful recordings, among the most accomplished modern performances of symphonies that are absolutely central to the repertoire.

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