Jazz

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

November 14, 2019
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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
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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
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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
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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
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One of the strengths of Laszlo Gardony’s playing is his confident insistence on what he is doing, his impressive self-assurance.

Jazz Album Review: jaimie branch’s “FLY or DIE II: bird dogs of paradise” — Into the Outer Reaches

October 11, 2019
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jaimie branch knows music has to be wild and dangerous and beautiful to cut through all the distractions of our times.

Jazz Album Review: “Zigsaw: Music of Steve Lampert” — A Complex Dream

October 3, 2019
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For many listeners, Zigsaw will serve as a welcome introduction, not only to a virtuoso jazz ensemble led by an innovative leader, but to the music of composer Steve Lampert.

Jazz Review and Perspective: Stan Getz (and Everyone Else) in 1961 – “Getz at the Gate”

October 1, 2019
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Saxophonist Stan Getz knew whom to listen to and whom to borrow from, and the repertoire for the 1961 Village Gate gig was particularly satisfying.

Arts Remembrance: Emily Remler — The Short Life and Sad Death of a Jazz Guitarist

September 18, 2019
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Emily Remler took a particularly clear-eyed view of her work. She didn’t want to be judged by a lesser standard because she was a woman in the overwhelmingly male world of jazz.

Jazz CD Review: Miles Davis’ “Rubberband” — Stretch Your Ears

September 10, 2019
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Heard as a Miles Davis record pure and simple, Rubberband is one of the strongest from the comeback period.

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