Jazz

Jazz Remembrance: Jack Sheldon

January 1, 2020
Posted in ,

Trumpeter Jack Sheldon will be missed for much more than his musical output would account for.

Jazz Concert Review: The Swingles — The Music is A Lot Better Than the Name

December 14, 2019
Posted in , ,

The current incarnation of the Swingle Singers, just called Swingles, exemplifies why the group has survived 57 years.

Best Jazz Recordings (and Live Concerts), 2019

December 12, 2019
Posted in , ,

Pianist Kris Davis’s Diatom Ribbons and the multi-disc set Nat King Cole’s Hittin’ the Ramp: The Early Years (1936-43) are among the albums that made more than one list.

Jazz Album Review: Two More Adventurous Discs from the Inexhaustible Satoko Fujii

November 24, 2019
Posted in , , ,

There’s no doubt that the Japan-born composer/pianist/bandleader Satoro Fujii is one of the most prolific recording artists of her time.

Book Review: “Irving Berlin: New York Genius” — A Significant Life

November 22, 2019
Posted in , , , ,

Biographer James Kaplan was aided by the assistance of Irving Berlin’s two elder daughters, and that makes this biography particularly valuable.

Jazz Albums Review: The ‘Season’ of Newvelle Muri — Adventurous, Sure-Footed, and Strikingly Lyrical

November 14, 2019
Posted in , ,

The sound on these discs couldn’t be more clear or precise; the music is low-key, thoughtful, and resolutely melodious.

Concert Review: Blue Note Records Celebrates its 80th at Shalin Liu — Almost Something for Everyone, and That’s Cool

November 10, 2019
Posted in , , ,

All three groups in this Blue Note anniversary concert were distinctly different. One was shaded with a hip hop influence, one proffered organ trio jazz-funk and one, all female, had singing as its focal point.

Jazz CD Review: Nat King Cole Hittin’ the Ramp — The Early Years (1936-1943)

November 3, 2019
Posted in , , ,

To hear Nat King Cole move from an anonymous member of a backing chorus to a world-class vocal soloist is well worth the time this boxed set demands.

Jazz Album Review: The Bad Plus’ “Activate Infinity” — Emotionally Narrow

October 25, 2019
Posted in , , ,

The Bad Plus are telling stories, but the trio doesn’t seem to want to follow wherever they might lead, which narrows their music’s emotional range.

Jazz Album Review: A Confidently Rousing “La Marseillaise” from Pianist Laszlo Gardony

October 25, 2019
Posted in , , ,

One of the strengths of Laszlo Gardony’s playing is his confident insistence on what he is doing, his impressive self-assurance.

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives