By: Ron Schepper, Textura As a choice of album title (and band name), Delicate Charms is certainly credible, but perhaps an even better one for double bassist Matt Ulery’s latest would be the title of its third track: “Mellisonant,” whose meaning ‘pleasing to the ear’ succinctly summarizes the experience of listening to the recording. Issued on the … Read More
By: Matt Micucci, Jazziz Russian-born pianist/composer Evgeny Sivtsov showcases his individualistic sound world and fluent pianism on his new trio album, Zoo, released on October 11 via Rainy Days Records. The album was recorded towards the end of Svitzov’s nine-year residence in New York City in 2017 and finds him leading a trio with bassist Dam … Read More
By: Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs T.K. BLUE – “THE RHYTHMS CONTINUE” JAJA Records Saxophonist T. K. Blue’s new suite is composed and dedicated to the memory of T.K.’s long-time bandleader, mentor and NEA Jazz Master, Dr. Randy Weston. Jazz composer and pianist, Randy Weston, passed away in September of 2018. Not only has T.K. Blue … Read More
By: CJ Shearn, New York Jazz Workshop Tenor saxophonist David “Chase” Baird has been a powerful presence on the New York jazz scene for many years. Born in Seattle but raised in Salt Lake City, he was drawn to jazz for it’s “elegant and sensual” qualities which he had not encountered up to that point … Read More
By: Jim Hynes, Making a Scene The Ukraine is in the news often lately as it becomes a central focus in the impeachment proceedings but musically we can all be on the same side welcoming Ukrainian-native, Brooklyn-based pianist Fima Chupakhin who is presenting his first album as leader, Water, accompanied by a group of stellar international … Read More
By: John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald Aaron Whitby – COUSIN FROM ANOTHER PLANET (Ropeadope) ★★★½ Music, like storytelling, is partly the art of balancing the predictable and the unpredictable. You lead someone down the garden path, only to find a chasm, a mountain, a pot of gold, an axe murderer or a lover. No one who … Read More
On Friday, September 20th, fan-favorite jazz vocalist John Minnock presented an encore performance at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Once again, Minnock was joined by NEA Jazz Master saxophonist Dave Liebman and his stellar band consisting of pianist Enrique Haneine, bassist Carlos Mena and drummer Pablo Eluchans. Feinstein’s/54 Below was filled to the brim with an attentive and … Read More
By: Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition Brian Lynch has been a top tier trumpeter for over four decades. He is also a voracious reader, with a particular interest in African American literature. For his first release as a big band leader, he has chosen to combine his reading interests into a musical project that honors many … Read More
By: Jim Hynes, Making a Scene Saxophonist and band leader Chris Madsen leads his Chicago-based quartet on Bonfire, and album of eight originals, stretching nearly an hour. These compositions have been a long time in the making but allow for plenty of improvisation and interplay. Befitting the album title, there are plenty of moments when the … Read More
By: Barry Witherden, Jazz Journal Canadian-born but based in Harlem since 2013, Curtis has played in the bands of Philip Harper, Craig Harris, Braxton Cook and Marc Cary. He has released two well-received previous albums under his own leadership, The Skeptic & The Cynic and the award-winning Dialectics, both recorded in his home-town, Winnipeg. The former album consisted … Read More
