There are a lot of ways to fail at a jazz vocal album, in particular with the glut of such projects flooding the marketplace these days. The first, though, is to lack nerve. You May Also Like: Stephanie Angelini and Vince Tomas, “Midnight Blue” (2020): One Track Mind
We love Adele’s poise, her earthy attitude, the roiling emotion in her voice. So why don’t we love the newly crowned six-time Grammy winner’s album 21? Blasphemy, right? Read on as we share are thoughts on several of those who walked away with 2012 awards last night, including Tony BennettRead More
A vibraphonist very much in the tradition of Lionel Hampton, Peter Appleyard — who’d, fittingly, worked with Benny Goodman in the period that these recordings were made — has issued 21 albums as a leader. Unfortunately, many (maybe most) of them have long been out of print, including a pairRead More
In a genre that’s rapidly becoming overwhelmed with vocalists reinterpreting the Great American Snoozebook (important in their time, but rapidly becoming threadbare old saws — if only because of their endless modern repetitions), Lorraine Feather (daughter of the legendary jazz critic Leonard Feather) is not kidding with this album title.Read More
In that alternate universe where indie rock is fringe music and post-hardcore improvised rock is mainstream, Matta Gawa is The Black Keys. You May Also Like: Bloor – ‘Drolleries’ (2019)
A two-day event in May called “The Music of Jelly Roll Morton” will feature Marcus Roberts performing favorites from the Morton legacy as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center series in the Rose Theater. You May Also Like: Wynton Marsalis Finally Learned How to Have Fun Again With ‘TheRead More
About fifteen years ago I bought a CD by a jazz pianist I had just heard about that I absolutely dug. Jumpstart! by Michael Wolff (1995) combined a few choice not-overly familiar covers with some compelling, advanced originals You May Also Like: Fernando Perdomo – ‘Self’ (2024) Jack DeJohnette, withRead More
Paul McCartney will stream a live concert featuring songs from his forthcoming release Kisses on the Bottom this Thursday from Capitol Studios. You May Also Like: Why Paul McCartney’s ‘Kisses on the Bottom’ Was the Perfect LP at the Perfect Time
ECM is a record label that is often stereotyped as offering only open, spacious, and sterile European — frequently Scandinavian — kind of chamber jazz and I’ve often come across so many exceptions, that characterization can’t even be considered the rule. But Tord Gustavsen’s music can be. Playing economically andRead More
In a couple of days, bassist/composer/bandleader Josh Ginsburg will issue his first album, one he’s clearly ready for. You May Also Like: Naya Baaz [Rez Abbasi + Josh Feinberg] – ‘Charm’ (2023) Josh Johnson – ‘Unusual Object’ (2024)
