by Robert Ham, Downbeat T.K. Blue never will forget the first time he heard pianist Randy Weston perform. Especially because when he found himself at The East, a Brooklyn-based arts education center that held jazz concerts on the weekends, he thought he was going to see Ramsey Lewis. Read more here.
by Asher Wolfe, Jazziz Chase Baird’s new studio ensemble functions like an ecosystem. The New York-based saxophonist released his second LP, A Life Between, with the star-studded lineup of pianist Brad Mehldau, drummer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Dan Chmielinski and guitarist Nir Felder. There are no overlapping personnel from his 2010 debut Crosscurrent. Although this iteration of Baird’s … Read More
by Bob Weinberg, Jazziz Reading the books to which Brian Lynch links his compositions is not a prerequisite for appreciating the music on his exquisite, first-ever big-band album The Omni-American Book Club (Hollistic MusicWorks). From joyous Latin-jazz jams to African-drum-fueled workouts to salutes to straight-ahead-jazz heroes Blue Mitchell and Woody Shaw, the program abounds with the aural … Read More
From Ravi Coltrane to Freddy Cole, 2019′s best jazz performances in Chicago by Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune Greg Ward and Rogue Parade, Jan. 11 at the Green Mill Jazz Club Saxophonist Greg Ward, who presented a full-scale reimagining of Charles Mingus’ “The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady” in Millennium Park last summer, will play … Read More
by Connor Ratliff, Rolling Stone TITLE: Yes! A mash-up title that would only work for these two artists — or two artists with similar sounds in their names. COVER ART: A classic Xmas-y design, and a pic of Martina and Dan looking like they’re having fun. It’s cute. LISTENING: Jazzy and classy and sparse but warm. This record … Read More
by Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz There is a wealth of jazz talent who make their home base in the area of the Poconos. Someday (Dear head Records – 010) features the SKIP & DAN WILKINS QUARTET with Skip Wilkins on piano, Dan Wilkins on tenor sax, Tony Marino on bass and Bill Goodwin on drums. These cats are frequently seen … Read More
A long list of 2019’s best Canadian jazz albums, plus even more honourable mentions By Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen North Carolina bassist and educator Steve Haines, an Ottawa native, released a beautiful orchestral album. Haines’ project featured the impeccable vocalist Becca Stevens singing a program that leaned heavily into Canadiana (think Gordon Lightfoot, Kim … Read More
by Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz Chase Baird is a New York-based saxophonist who combines jazz with other musical genres. His work on this CD can sport, at various times, the melodicism of classical music, the sharp angles of progressive rock or the blunt thrust of funk. A very talented group of musicians helps him fulfill … Read More
by Glide Magazine Ben Flocks – Mask of the Muse (West Cliff) – This tenor saxophonist induced similar feelings to Charlie Parker with Strings from the ‘50s. That’s a certainly lofty company and there are no strings on this album but keyboards and guitar providing a similar ambiance in a tight quintet instead. It’s marvelously dreamy, romantic, and at times … Read More
by Mark Sullivan, All About Jazz Vocalist Martina DaSilva and double bassist Dan Chmielinski have adopted the name “ChimyTina” for their duet project. The focus is on voice and bass, but they welcome some of their closest friends and mentors as guests, including saxophonist Lucas Pino, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Ben Wolfe and guitarist Gabe Schnider . DaSilva harmonizes with herself on “Greensleeves” to open … Read More
