For the musical Indiana Joneses amongst us, 2012 has already yielded a number of artifacts for the ages — and we’re but half way done. There were rare live recordings unearthed from the likes of jazz giant Bill Evans, and the hitmaking Philadelphia International Records stable of the O’Jays, MFSB,Read More

As much as I enjoy piano trio jazz, such a trio playing the predictable fare of standards in their traditional arrangements does not get me very fired up. This here record is one of those affairs You May Also Like: Bill Evans – Another Time: The Hilversum Concert (2017) BillRead More

Amazon.com Widgets While many a pianist/vocalist duo has surely been influenced by the twin mid-1970s collaborations of Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, it’s another thing entirely to take those albums head on. You May Also Like: Rod Harris Jr., “I Can’t Tell You Why” from Exits and Options EP (2018):Read More

Always an impressive technician, Gomez has an identifiably soulful sound — sometimes from the very first plucking of his bass. That has carried him through an impressive array of settings You May Also Like: Bill Evans – Another Time: The Hilversum Concert (2017)

It’s yet another tribute to the singular artistry of Bill Evans, but this one has a special plot line: the drummer played for Evans in one era and the bassist played for him in another era. You May Also Like: Bill Evans – Another Time: The Hilversum Concert (2017) TheRead More

“Thank you very much, you make me feel so wonderful. It’s been a pleasure being here but I really must go now, it’s so hot.” — Clifford Brown at the end of his final performance, June 25, 1956 You May Also Like: Jazz’s Best Last Records by John Coltrane, EricRead More

by Mark Saleski Firstly, credit must be tossed in the direction of my former guitar teacher. Jerry Adams turned me on to piles of great jazz (and loaned me actual LPs). Jerry’s favorite guitarist was Jim Hall. I’m not sure I’d use the word “obsessive,” though Jerry did relate aRead More

Intense and beautiful, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s new Fe’ … Faith, is this meditative wonder. Like the earth making its inevitable yearly circle, Rubalcaba returns time after time to themes and thoughts — but never approaches things exactly the same twice. You May Also Like: Susie Blue and the LonesomeRead More

by Mark Saleski You wouldn’t suppose that most musicians would look favorably upon being compared to an old pile of rocks. How about an old, organized pile of rocks? You May Also Like: Paul Bley, Gary Peacock + Paul Motian – ‘When Will The Blues Leave’ (1999, rel. 2019) BillRead More

by Pico As much of a transformational figure as he was, Scott LaFaro wasn’t the only brilliant bassist who had played in Bill Evans’ trio; Eddie Gomez held that esteemed seat for longer than anybody, from 1966 to 1977. Like LaFaro, Gomez was virtually an equal harmonically as the legendaryRead More