Bill Kopp, The Blurt It’s a neat trick to make something new while conjuring the aesthetic of something old. But (a) that’s what is expected of jazz players of a certain stripe, and happily (b) that’s what baritone saxophonist B.J. Jansen has taken on as his mission. And with Common Ground, he succeeds. Joined by five … Read More
Dave Rogers, WTJU Composer / trumpet and keyboard player Darren Barrett has released six discs prior to this one. He is also an assistant professor at Berklee specifically working with ensembles. This disc certainly focuses on ensemble work and one’s flexibility throughout. In addition to Barrett, the main group includes Santiago Bosch (piano, keyboards), Alexander … Read More
Bill Kopp, The Blurt To note that NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman (tenor and soprano sax, recorder, flute) and Joe Lovano (tenor sax, clarinet, flute, etc.) are established artists is to engage in laughable understatement. But for this new set, the two men set aside their own material and focus instead on the music of … Read More
Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Dave Liebman, tenor & soprano saxophones/C flute; Joe Lovano, tenor saxophone/autochrome/alto clarinet/Scottish flute; Phil Markowitz, piano; Ron McClure, bass; Billy Hart, drums. On July 17, 1967, the great John Coltrane passed away. It is appropriate to remember and celebrate his amazing talent this month, as well as his contributions made … Read More
John Abbott, The Times So timeless is the saxophonist John Coltrane’s music that a recording made to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death can be belatedly released to mark the 50th. This 2007 studio session, by the reeds players Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano, was made in New York for broadcast on Radio 3 … Read More
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly Baritone saxist B.J.Jansen leads a rich hard bop combo with Delfeayo Marsalis/tb, Duane Eubanks/tp, Ralph Peterson/dr, Dezron Douglas/b and Zaccai Curtis/p through a dozen muscular originals. Jansen himself has a strong and bold tone as exemplified on the bluesy “ Carol’s Dream” and richly vibrato’d “Soul Loss” which also includes … Read More
Mike Hobart, Jazzwise The lolloping swing that drives the opening modal blues signals baritone saxophonist BJ Jansen’s mainstream aesthetic, the floaty cover of Frank Stagnitta’s “Carol’s Dream” that follows confirms it. Jansen builds his set on traditional structures and solid well-worn grooves ranging from the sassy 6/8 of “Street Walk” to the cool school swing … Read More
