As serious a musician as he is, and as virtuosic as he can be, the naturally extroverted Christian McBride knows how to entertain, a talent generously evident in this live performance.
Jazz
Jazz Albums Review: “Skyline” and “A Love Sonnet for Billie Holiday” — Marching to the Beat of the Same Drummer
The presence of veteran drummer Jack DeJohnette ties together two new releases.
Jazz Album Review: Adam O’Farrill’s “Visions of Your Other” — Humanizing the Mechanical
I find Visions of Your Other exciting. It is beautifully recorded: these are four musicians who care about their sound.
Jazz Album Review: A Solo Excursion by Master Pianist Edward Simon
One of pianist Edward Simon’s strengths is his ability to be simultaneously romantic and clear-headed, precise and suggestive.
Jazz Concert Review: Vocalist Kurt Elling — Going Through the World with Curiosity
The range of Kurt Elling’s repertoire is astonishing and his program at Jimmy’s was commensurately ambitious.
Jazz Review and Conversation: Jane Ira Bloom’s Pandemic Duets
Jane Ira Bloom responded to her pandemic isolation with a CD of duets with bassist Mark Helias and a CD of duets with drummer Allison Miller. These two sessions are unique projects in her discography and beautiful testaments to her ingenuity.
Jazz Feature: A Conversation with Jane Ira Bloom
I spoke with Jane Ira Bloom on September 21, 2021 via Zoom. This transcript has been edited for space and ellipses have been omitted for readability. Some paraphrases and details are added for clarity.
Jazz Album Review: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett — Together Again, Memorably
Even if this is a commercial confection, it’s worth taking seriously because it is very likely to be Tony Bennett’s final album.
Jazz CD Review: “Going for It,” the Harvie S Trio with Mike Stern and Alan Dawson
This seven-song, hour-long release, drawn from three nights at the fabled 1369 Club, is, in a word, sensational.
Jazz Album Review: Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson Go Time Tripping
Guitarist Mary Halvorson and pianist Sylvie Courvoisier share a remarkable rapport on this duet album.