Steve Elman
2018 saw the release of four ambitious and powerful jazz releases driven by poetic texts.
Here’s a look back at the history of jazz recordings and a selection of ten of the best, plus one release from 2018 that has a good chance of being one of my favorites for many years to come.
His beautiful sound is undimmed by time, his sensitivity to nuance is intact, and his choice of virtuoso partners was a delight.
Is this lineup of jazz performances richer and more mouth-watering than we’ve seen in many a year? Yep.
A baker’s dozen of recordings worth hearing . . . maybe even owning.
Composer/pianist Anthony Coleman’s meticulous crafting made every second worthwhile.
A kaleidoscopic small-band adventure led by one of the world’s great clarinetists, and a superbly-played set by Ben Wendel’s dynamic quintet.
It was supposed to be an evening of sheer virtuosity, and that’s what it was.
It’s clear these four musicians love playing together. As long as the magic lasts, it’s well worth your hearing.
Jazz CD Preview and Survey: Years of Utter Beauty, Part 2
Part one of this survey looked at one upcoming performance and five CDs where music takes the leading role. This post looks at the other side of the coin, where the words are the wellspring for the music.
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