Jazz

Film Review: “I Called Him Morgan” — A Superb Jazz Documentary

August 8, 2017
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I Called Him Morgan has been lauded as one of the best films of the year, and rightfully so.

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Jazz CD Review: Dominique Eade and Ran Blake’s Personal Vision of Americana on “Town and Country”

July 18, 2017
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The throughline of “Town and Country” is folk — austere, hardscrabble.

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Music Remembrance: Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson — Making the Imagination Run

August 22, 2016
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“When you think about music it’s got to be that way. Just the thrill of being able to play another note, not to win anything or get a trophy.”

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Book Review and Commentary: Testaments to the Wonderful Ears of Ralph J. Gleason

July 26, 2016
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A writer has to write for the now or to write for the ages. Gleason almost always chose the now, but his best moments go deeper.

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Music Interview: Soul Singer Freda Payne Goes Back to her Jazz Roots

May 4, 2016
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While Freda Payne still sings “Band of Gold” on soul package revues, she has recently rekindled the jazz side of her career.

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Music Commentary: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — Ave Sine Vale

July 2, 2015
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The great mistake we make as listeners or viewers is passivity. Music deserves and needs our active involvement.

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Music Commentary: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — A Coda without a Finale

June 3, 2015
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What we know of mass-market choice suggests that the more choices a person has, the more likely it is that the person will be dissatisfied with any one choice.

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Fuse Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — A Real Tradition, but of What?

April 20, 2015
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The tradition of hybrids is there, for anyone who chooses to use it. Our modern media world makes that tradition accessible in hitherto unimaginable ways.

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Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — Mavericks, 1960 – 2004

April 8, 2015
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More composers who followed their own distinctive paths when they incorporated jazz into their piano concertos.

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Jazz Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — Mavericks, 1938-1983

April 4, 2015
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More composers who followed their own distinctive paths when they incorporated jazz into their piano concertos.

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