Jazz

Jazz Concert Review: “Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday” — A Prodigious Joy

December 9, 2023
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Samara Joy uncorked her gospel pipes, the likes of which probably haven’t been heard on mainstream secular stages since Aretha Franklin.

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Book Review: Ella Fitzgerald — A Sublime American Songstress

December 1, 2023
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Biographer Judith Tick is reverent about the singer without falling into hagiography: with honest scrutiny, she asserts the enduring value of Ella Fitzgerald’s achievement for generations to come.

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Jazz Album Reviews: Supple Piano Trios — Led by Les McCann and Bill Evans

November 22, 2023
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Two highly recommended sets available on vinyl in limited editions on Record Store Day, November 24. CD issues will follow shortly afterward.

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Jazz Album Reviews: Craft LP Reissues — Prime Examples of the Golden Age of Jazz Recording

November 21, 2023
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These jazz albums are splendid representations of the first full decade of LPs and of stereo recording as well.

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Jazz Album Reviews: Cal Tjader’s Quintet and Wes Montgomery with the Wynton Kelly Trio in the Mid-’60s

November 15, 2023
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Two upcoming releases of restored radio broadcasts offer so much good listening and so much deeply satisfying jazz that they deserve to share the spotlight. One of them is destined to be seen as a landmark document in jazz history.

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Jazz Album Review: “Seven Skies Orchestra” — Ramping Up the Musical Possibilities

November 13, 2023
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Tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman’s work is customarily full of subtle surprises, akimbo with shifts and side-trips. This new recording, with a sextet, is no exception.

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Jazz Album Review: Hays Street Hart’s “Bridges” — A Beautifully Recorded Group Effort

November 8, 2023
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This is a trio of superb songsters, whose individual lyricisms support each other

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Jazz Album Review: “Pastor’s Paradox” — Paying Homage to Martin Luther King, Musically

October 31, 2023
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The intent of this fine album to dramatize the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King: no justice, no peace.

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Book Review: “Lena Horne — Goddess Reclaimed”

October 27, 2023
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One might conjecture that  Lena Horne’s career was something like a mink-lined minefield: the promise of wealth and fame went hand-in-hand with the possibility of annihilation.

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Jazz Album Review: Guitarist John Scofield — Quality Time with “Uncle John’s Band”

October 22, 2023
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A stirring trio date featuring John Scofield on guitar with Vicente Archer on bass and Bill Stewart on drums.

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