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)

Bela Fleck seemed surprised at not only the turnout, which was the biggest he said they’d ever had in Phoenix, but also the enthusiasm of the audience.

Despite his heritage, American alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa didn’t start out as a practitioner of a unique blend of American jazz and traditional Indian music, he started with the jazz style of the America he grew up in and worked his way back to the music of his forbears’ nativeRead More

Frank Kohl approaches the guitar with an exuberant curiosity, but also a well-crafted ability — skittering from influence to influence without ever stumbling. He sounds like he’s having a ball, too. That’s led to an album called Coast to Coast that boasts a savvy veteran player’s satisfying structural logic, butRead More

There are couple of ways that Kevin Crabb’s all-original Waltz for Dylan could have gone wrong. Rangy saxophonist Kelly Jefferson and, in particular, pianist John Beasley (Miles Davis) might have completely overtaken this project, dedicated to the drummer’s son. Or, they might have become lost in the distracting bashing ofRead More

Of all the living trumpet players performing today, few have accomplished as much as Tim Hagans. He acquired valuable experience playing in bands by Stan Kenton, Thad Jones, Woody Herman and currently, Bob Belden. You May Also Like: Tim Berne – ‘inSOMNIA’ (2011): On Second Thought Jaimie Branch – FlyRead More

by Mark Saleski In his essay, “Listening To Music,” composer John Cage offers a possible definition of music and a framework for its evaluation You May Also Like: Gordon Grdina, Mark Helias + Matthew Shipp – ‘Pathways’ (2022) Gordon Grdina’s Nomad Trio – ‘Boiling Point’ (2022) Gordon Grdina’s Nomad TrioRead More

by Mark Saleski, in Manchester N.H. Leo Kottke brought his one-man encyclopedia of acoustic guitar to Manchester’s Palace Theatre that night. You May Also Like: Ward Davis, March 3, 2023: Shows I’ll Never Forget Billy Cobham’s Crosswinds Project, March 28, 2018: Shows I’ll Never Forget Captured! By Robots, March 28,Read More

Australian native alto sax practitioiner Nick Hempton is distingished by his smooth tone and direct delivery. The Business is distinguished by a few things, too. First of all, Hempton is joined by Art Hirahara, is in-demand session pianist who last spring delivered a solid album himself. Secondly, Hempton’s eight originalsRead More

Dallas, Texas-based Laura Ainsworth, though performing last-century throwback cocktail jazz, may have stumbled into a zeitgeist-defining moment with the opening title track here. Whether she knew it or not back in the recording studio, Ainsworth’s delicious tale of revenge exacted on a serial philanderer is perfectly of the moment YouRead More