An exploration of the more notable hidden surprises in jazz.

If you’ve ever been interested in Ornette’s Free Jazz, but thought that it might be “too much,” then this album might be worth a listen. The first track, “First Take”, is literally a shorter version (17 minutes) of the Coleman classic. The double quartet lineup is impressive, too: Don Cherry,Read More

Evan Cobb’s sleekly confident Falling Up, set for release on Nov. 29, punches a gaping hole in the old saw about educators. You know the one that goes: “Those who can, do; those who can not, teach.” That’s perhaps best heard on “Eastern Bell Feel,” a hip update of theRead More

The sweeping, cinematic quality of Alex Lopez’s new We Can Take This Boat makes perfect sense, really. After all, the saxophonist/composer’s debut, due on Nov. 22, follows earlier work on a series of independent films in New York City. An all-original effort, Lopez makes good on a series of namedRead More

The trio of respected Canadian sidemen who complete the Cinque band, though nowhere near as famous as Joey DeFrancesco and Steve Gadd, end up providing the structure and verve for this celebration of good-time soul jazz. You May Also Like: Joey DeFrancesco, with Pharoah Sanders – ‘In the Key ofRead More

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

Pianist David Paul Mesler and saxophonist Tony Rondolone offer 13 takes on a theme during the appropriately titled Moonsongs, an album perfectly suited for twilight You May Also Like: Harrison Bankhead and Paul de Jong – ‘Freedom’ (2020)

The story continues. Yesterday saxophonist Marcus Strickland’s new, double-disc record Triumph Of The Heavy, Volumes 1 & 2 went on sale, and the narrative of this record begins where the story of his prior one, Idiosyncrasies (2009), left off. You May Also Like: Marcus Randolph and My Peeples Peeple –Read More

Last year we investigated a strong post-bop excursion by the potent, up-and-coming partnership of tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece. Little Echo (2010) swung like mad and put into sharp focus the tight rapport of Fowser and Gillece You May Also Like: Ken Fowser – ‘Right On Time’Read More

Saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin, a three-time Grammy winner, traverses a fine line on Live!, a record that feels both timeless and fresh. The beauty is that he and his Mu’Tet don’t stumble into the pitfalls of either concept. You May Also Like: Ivo Perelman, Matthew Shipp + Jeff CosgroveRead More