‘Clarinet and Drums,’ from Hamir Atwal and Ben Goldberg, succeeds on the simpatico and sheer skill of its participants.

They find plenty of common ground in this improvisational, experimental space.

This Miles-meets-Mosada alchemy offers Interesting new twists.

An album shaped by both interpretations of Monk and the interaction among these three.

I used to call this the “whack jazz” (or is that “wack” jazz?) list, but I found that term to be too restrictive for what’s being presented below. You May Also Like: Harrison Bankhead and Paul de Jong – ‘Freedom’ (2020) Bobby Kapp + Matthew Shipp – Cactus (2016) DavidRead More

In years past, I’ve called this the “whack jazz” list and this time we’re going to call it “avant garde and experimental jazz,” but any music that goes too far outside the bounds of convention gets lumped into its own category. You May Also Like: Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog –Read More

Next week, the progressively minded jazz clarinetist Ben Goldberg will treat us to not one but two new albums, each by nearly entirely different supporting musicians. You May Also Like: Dan Blacksberg – Radiant Others (2017) Ben Goldberg School – Vol 1: The Humanities (2017) David Krakauer and Ancestral GrooveRead More

In 2008, clarinetist Ben Goldberg assembled a conventional ensemble to record music with unconventional underpinnings. In 2012, Goldberg again assembled an ensemble to record music with unconventional underpinnings, but this time, the structure of the group for these later sessions is unconventional to match. You May Also Like: Ben GoldbergRead More

Clarinetist Ben Goldberg sometimes gets so out front with his musical vision, it takes years to catch up with him.

by Mark Saleski Too bad that the clarinet was the instrument guys were embarrassed to be stuck with in band. You May Also Like: Michael Coleman + Ben Goldberg – Practitioner (2018) Ben Goldberg School – Vol 1: The Humanities (2017)