by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz A canvas is often viewed as a neutral starting point, but it needn’t be so. Even a so-called “blank” space can be suffused with certain color(s) before brushstrokes are ever applied, as Brandi Disterheft reminds us. Her fourth album is a trio date painted atop, around, over, and with … Read More
by Dan Bilawksy, All About Jazz Forget about “the art of the trio.” It’s undoubtedly a topic worth discussing when you look at this album, and one that automatically comes up when you look at any piano-centric threesome, but it’s a phrase that’s been overused. Instead, let’s talk about the heart of the trio—how it … Read More
by James Nadal, All About Jazz The Brazilian jazz scene has undergone subtle but noticeable changes, as many Brazilian musicians continue to travel, tour, and study abroad, returning with applicable innovative ideas. Expanding beyond the customary bossa and samba boundaries, the music is encompassing global influences with impressive results. Guitarist Lupa Santiago is the embodiment … Read More
by James Nadal, All About Jazz If there is a French connection in contemporary jazz, it might arguably be the violin. Though the instruments role was explored by American pioneering ensembles, the French players added an innovative approach to improvisation, incorporating more of the European influence. Heralded as a violin trendsetter for the current generation, … Read More
by James Nadal, All About Jazz A secretive, renaissance saxophonist who travels in a multi-ethnic, trans-cultural dimension, Ilhan Ersahin embodies all aspects of the particular blend of cross-pollinated musical styles he produces. Started in 2002, his New York City club and record label Nublu, established his pioneering reputation, and he continues on a creative tear. … Read More
by James Nadal, All About Jazz It is an era of difficult choices for young vocalists, but the ones that follow their heart are certainly the better for it.Jackie Gage is a determined singer who self-produced Siren Songs as a commitment toward her career in jazz. The production features a refined string quartet, augmenting the … Read More
by Tyran Grillo, All About Jazz ReNew marks the 16th leader date for Japanese trumpeter Shunzo Ohno, whose evolving proficiency and clarity of tone are matched by an emotional undercurrent all his own. Built around the theme of recovery in the wake of recent natural disasters, among them the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, this … Read More
By James Nadal, All About Jazz With each release, the current crop of young lions demonstrate they have what it takes to come up with novel ideas, keeping the music renewed. Since his 2014 debut of “Starcode,”—a foray into cosmic jazz—trumpeter Chris Klaxtonhas remained perpetually engaged and appears not to slow down on Collage , … Read More
by James Nadal, All About Jazz If a record cover can be any indication of the content of the music it encases, then Pathways, by drummer/composerZane Rodulfo, has the perfect depiction. It shows Rodulfo walking along a well-worn rainforest trail, drumsticks in hand with a look of absolute confidence that he knows where he is … Read More
by James Nadal, All About Jazz 4 Stars! In the study of Hindu Vedanta philosophy, jnana-vijnana is a Sanskrit term for the pursuit of knowledge combined with intuitive realization arising from perception. If applied to music in a jazz framework, it is free from agitation and flows with a meditative rapture. The Dan Wilkins Ensemble … Read More
