As the world’s first, one of the few, and the premier electric bassist of the straight-jazz world, Steve Swallow has long ago carved out his niche, using this unlikely instrument to make vividly lyrical music. You May Also Like: Riverside [Dave Douglas, Chet Doxas, Steve Swallow, Jim Doxas] – TheRead More

UK guitarist Mike Walker got this capital idea to put together a quartet with Americans Steve Swallow (el. bass) and Adam Nussbaum (drums), and enlisted young piano talent and fellow Englishman Gwilym Simcock to round out the group. You May Also Like: John Scofield – ‘Swallow Tales’ (2020) Steve KuhnRead More

Just as Steve Kuhn recently looked back to his very brief but impressionable stint in an early edition of the John Coltrane Quartet, the prolific jazz pianist is reminiscing again. You May Also Like: Steve Kuhn Trio, “My Shining Hour,” from At This Time (2016): One Track Mind Steve KuhnRead More

by Mark Saleski It was at a small Japanese restaurant north of Boston (or south of Concord, New Hampshire, depending on your level of Hub-centricness). Sushi. Never had it before. You read about things like this for years. Suddenly, it’s your turn. You May Also Like: John Scofield – ‘SwallowRead More

by Mark Saleski There are two things that can be counted on when cracking open a new Carla Bley Big Band record: 1. many, many interesting and twisty passages of musical architecture and 2. volume. Oh yes, the horn section is enormous You May Also Like: Riverside [Dave Douglas, ChetRead More

by S. Victor Aaron It’s been the season for fusion superstar comebacks lately. Last year the classic lineup of Return To Forever got back together and toured, culminating into the 2-CD live souvenir Returns. Later in the year, Corea hooked up with fellow Miles sideman John McLaughlin to headline aRead More

by s. Victor Aaron A few months ago, we bemoaned the loss of a quality modern jazz composer in Paul Nash and noted how it seems we are well past the heyday of melodists of large-form jazz. Oh my, how did I ever forget about the still-thriving Carla Bley? CarlaRead More

by Pico John Scofield hates to sit still. He rarely goes more than two or three years playing a certain variety of jazz before he abruptly switches gears. His restlessness is part of the reason why he is one of the most highly respected six-string wielding jazz musicians of thisRead More

Later this month, elite jazz guitarist John Scofield will be releasing a new CD, This Meets That, which includes Scofield’s long time friend and sometimes bass player Steve Swallow. I’ll be covering that CD real soon, but listening to this fresh new offering from Scofield harks back to his daysRead More