Most may not put Wayne Shorter on the level of Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane, but I do. When surveying the impact he made over 50 years, it’s hard not to.

‘Bluesiana II’ arrived 30 years ago missing a key figure from the band’s all-star lineup in the recently deceased Art Blakey. I didn’t have high hopes.

‘I Called Him Morgan’ is a compelling, up-close documentary chronicling of the self-destructive lifestyle of jazz prodigy Lee Morgan.

For all the times that “all-star” dates have let us down, the fault of a basic incompatibility that transcends anyone’s inherent fame, Things Are Getting Better features a pairing that utterly works. You May Also Like: Cannonball Adderley – ‘Poppin’ in Paris: Live at L’Olympia 1972′ (2024) Joe Jackson’s RainRead More

Our newest Desert Island Discs poll delves into one of jazz music’s signature labels, as we’re castaway to the isle of Blue Note. You May Also Like: Blue Note at 80: Revelatory Reissues From Kenny Burrell, Andrew Hill + Others Lee Morgan – ‘I Called Him Morgan’ (2017, DVD)

Edward LaRose’s painting on the cover, itself so full of ying-and-yang dualities, sets an expectant tone for Ralph Peterson’s layered and challenging new recording — and the drummer delivers. You May Also Like: How the Dr. John-Led ‘Bluesiana’ Sequel Somehow Matched the Original Cuong Vu 4-Tet, featuring Bill Frisell –Read More

There’s something at once familiar, and entirely brand new, about Turkish drummer Ferit Odman’s just-released Autumn In New York. Taking his cue from jazz drumming and bandleading legend Art Blakey, Odman investigates a series of tunes associated with the Blakey band, and even includes former members of the Jazz MessengersRead More

Well-known from the first as a trombone player with a penchant for warm, vocalized blues phrasing, Curtis Fuller was always an underrated composer, as well You May Also Like: Curtis Andrews, “Tight Rope, Short Walk” from ‘Speaking Hands’ (2021): Something Else! video premiere

This double-album set features late-period performances by the Jazz Messengers found years after Art Blakey passed away.

by Nick DeRiso Drummers, even the rare ones who find fame, are enablers. They spend the bulk of their time refocusing the spotlight on others. It’s no different on Nommo, the sterling new quartet release by Turkish-born Ferit Odman. He assembled a thoughtful group of notables for sessions held inRead More