Jazz
New albums from Mary Halvorson and Rich Halley march into fresh realms of freedom.
Nothing detracts from the essentials here – three fine players in creative conversation.
My guess is that Keith Jarrett probably wasn’t satisfied with this performance. I wouldn’t change a note, a gesture, or a shading.
Serious but not somber would be a succinct way to describe this trio’s work as heard on disc and in a powerful recent live performance.
He may be extreme as a polemicist, but Ricky Riccardi shines when he sticks to jazz’s history.
Charles Lloyd and Julian Lage and Zakir Hussain served a loose, flowing 65-minute set with complementary facility that belied the novel circumstances.
In no way was the recognition that Ira Sullivan received commensurate with his skill.
This 1969 concert by the Thelonious Monk Quartet was produced by a high school student and recorded by his school’s janitor. It presents this particular group at its optimistic best.
Playing vinyl involves holding something in your hand, putting a needle down and, at least on my high end system, listening to sound quality that can mesmerize.
Jazz Commentary: Louis Armstrong as Negotiator
Throughout much of his career, Louis Armstrong negotiated a balance between being a “popular” artist and a jazz artist.
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