You might think that the saxophone trio lineup (sax, bass, drums) would have nothing left to say. Sure, Sonny Rollins throws a long shadow, but that doesn’t mean the entire case has been closed. So Fly comes along, bringing a sort of Ornette Coleman vibe. I say “sort of” becauseRead More

New Standard Quintet lives up to its name, time and again, not by resurrecting age-old tracks but by trying to fashion its own rules for approaching original jazz music. You May Also Like: Rob Mazurek Quintet’s hypnotic, diverse Sound Is rewarded close listens Laurence Juber – Standard Time (1982; 2018Read More

Saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s roots come from both Switzerland and Guadeloupe, but his debut album for ObliqSound was informed by much more, including music descending from Morocco as well as American jazz and funk. You May Also Like: Brinsley Schwarz on His Eponymous Band, Graham Parker and New Solo Work ScaryRead More

Back in the mix, indeed. You might initially be drawn in by the compelling new arrangements of “Lament” by J.J. Johnson, Cole Porter’s “Falling In Love With Love” and “Tenderly” by Gross and Lawrence, but you’ll keep coming back to Dan Wilensky’s fourth album of a leader because of itsRead More

Saxophonist Rafael Garces and pianist Eric-Jan Harmsen, it seems, couldn’t be more different. In the case of their stellar new live jazz recording 52 Min & 52 Sec, that’s a good thing. You May Also Like: Philipp Gerschlauer and David Fiuczynski – Mikrojazz: Neue Expressionistische Musik (2017)

You come in expecting one thing, being as Jeremy Davis focuses on the mid-century big-band formula. And, at times, you hear Sinatra in this album. Dorsey, too. You May Also Like: The Fabulous Poodles – Mirror Stars: The Complete Pye Recordings (2018) Miles Davis’ ‘Bitches Brew’ Broke Every Rule: ‘AnRead More

David S. Ware felt it was time to focus on his abilities as a composer. As he puts it: “I didn’t want to make another quartet album with everybody blowing. You May Also Like: David S. Ware & Matthew Shipp Duo – Live In Sant’Anna Arresi, 2004 (2016) Caterpillar QuartetRead More

Both Pete Robbins’ band and music represents reaching across from one space to another. The aptly named Transatlantic Quartet consists of musicians on either side of the “pond,” starting with the Massachusetts saxophonist Robbins You May Also Like: Albert Ayler Quartet – Copenhagen Live 1964 (2017) Matthew Shipp Quartet –Read More

During the 1964-68 period while he served as the “idea man” in Miles Davis’ Second Quintet, Wayne Shorter reeled off album after album under his own name that were extremely creative and sometimes breathtaking. You May Also Like: Wayne Shorter (1933-2023): An Appreciation Wayne Shorter – ‘Emanon’ (2018)

“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