This was a near-total crapshoot. I’ve never heard of guitarist Pierre Dorge, but the names Billy Hart (drums) and John Tchicai (soprano and alto sax) were familiar. What I ended up with was something that is mostly straight-ahead jazz, with a fair bit of angularity. Dorge’s playing goes from theRead More

If you’ve ever been interested in Ornette’s Free Jazz, but thought that it might be “too much,” then this album might be worth a listen. The first track, “First Take”, is literally a shorter version (17 minutes) of the Coleman classic. The double quartet lineup is impressive, too: Don Cherry,Read More

The German-born, NYC-based, Berklee honors grad pianist Axel Schwintzer thrives on versatility, and the multi-national makeup of his band reflects that. You May Also Like: ‘Fanfare For the Uncommon Man: The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert’ (2021) Porterfield – ‘Rome’ (2021)

Matt Steckler’s Dead Count Bounce is a band that within the parameters of traditional jazz seeks new musical directions You May Also Like: Dead Neanderthals – The Depths (2017) Gato Libre [Natsuki Tamura] – ‘Sleeping Cat’ (2022)

Drummer and composer Tyshawn Sorey is said to one of up-and-comers whose due for an arrival. Gaining notice as a member of Steve Coleman’s Five Elements, Steve Lehman’s combo as well as Pete Robbins’ sILENT Z, Sorey’s also studied under Anthony Braxton and is currently studying under George Lewis. ButRead More

Growing up in Manhattan down the street from famed bassist Bob Crnashaw gave pianist Danny Fox a rich education in jazz that the great music conservatories in the Northeast just can’t quite match. But Fox’s deep interest in classical music shaped his conception of jazz as well and both ofRead More

Little Worlds is another one of those oddly configured trios that’s been popping up lately in jazz, but there is nothing gimmicky sounding from this guitar (Ryan Mackstaller), trombone (Rick Parker) and drums (Tim Kuhl) getup. With all three of these musicians being veterans of rock, jazz and whack jazz,Read More

Sporting a drop dead gorgeous image and a six string violin that resembles a Gibson Flying V, Susan Aquila certainly looks the part, but is her fiddle playing up to snuff? Well, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Kanye West, Metallica and Billy Joel, just to name a few ofRead More

The best time to listen to Benji Kaplan’s Meditações no Violão is on a quiet, Sunday morning as I’m doing now. An album of self-penned songs inspired by the Brazilian form he loved from childhood and studied intensely both at Brazil and his native NYC, the title is Portuguese forRead More

Evan Cobb’s sleekly confident Falling Up, set for release on Nov. 29, punches a gaping hole in the old saw about educators. You know the one that goes: “Those who can, do; those who can not, teach.” That’s perhaps best heard on “Eastern Bell Feel,” a hip update of theRead More