Paul de Jong has gumption of cellist Tom Cora, while Harrison Bankhead boasts the savvy of Charles Mingus. It’s all spontaneously on display on ‘Freedom.’

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

One of the most self-effacing musicians of Chicago’s AACM scene paradoxically creates some of its boldest music, and bassist Harrison Bankhead’s second album confirms that Morning Sun Harvest Moon was no one-off fluke. You May Also Like: Harrison Bankhead and Paul de Jong – ‘Freedom’ (2020) Casey Golden Trio –Read More

An astonishing thing to witness when viewing Fred Anderson’s live performance on DVD, 21st Century Chase, was the sight of a guy celebrating his 80th birthday splaying notes from his saxophone with abandon, power and purpose. And then, when he finished his solo, witnessing a dude only six years hisRead More

Everybody digs Nicole Mitchell. They love her in sweet hometown Chicago and all the critics in New York love her, too. Heck, even we discerning types at SER have taken a shining to her. She’s the consensus top flautist in the jazz world, she’s got a new record out, Awakening,Read More

As far as I can tell, Chicago bassist Harrison Bankhead doesn’t have a publicist or a website, and he hasn’t hauled a large band around Europe playing Curtis Mayfield songs. He does, however, have a record out at long last. You May Also Like: Harrison Bankhead and Paul de JongRead More

by S. Victor Aaron Birthday parties are almost always such fun events and nowadays, they all get captured on video. When someone marks their eightieth birthday, that’s a real cause for celebration. And when the birthday boy celebrates it by ripping it up making some great music, that’s just icingRead More