Kirill Moshkov, Jazz.ru On June 19 the Russian jazz label Rainy Days Records will release the album “The Doors Are Open” by Russian saxophonist Azat Bayazitov who recorded while living in New York. This is the second solo album in the work of Azat; the first, “ If You Still Trust, ” appeared on Butman Music Records in 2015 (see an interview with Azat … Read More
By Chloe McCornick, Black Grooves Celebration and protest, traditional and contemporary—Jazz-world ensemble AJOYO’s sophomore album War Chant is filled with seamlessly blended contradictions. Like their self-titled 2015 debut album, War Chant brings high energy, celebratory music, but this time with a social and racial justice aim. Using their own immigration stories as a foundation, the six-member Brooklyn-based group, organized by Tunisian-born … Read More
By Barry Witherden, Jazz Journal In addition to his own numerous projects Liebman’s playing has enriched the bands of a number of major figures, including Elvin Jones, Miles Davis and Chick Corea, as well as several top European jazz stars. Earth is the final chapter of his homage to the classic four elements of nature, … Read More
By Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz Ever hear a disc and wonder why the deep-seated beauty of some players’ music escapes your radar? Juno Award-winning pianist and composer Andy Milne’s The reMission, a challenging, tough, terse and ultimately triumphant recording, is one of those. One of those discs that, after several uninterrupted listens, has one … Read More
By Matt Micucci, JAZZIZ Saxophonist/bandleader Lakecia Benjamin celebrates Alice and John Coltrane on her new album, Pursuance: The Coltranes. See the full feature here.
By Steve Feeney, The Arts Fuse Pursuance: The Coltranes — Lakecia Benjamin (Ropeadope) Earth –Expansions: The Dave Liebman Group (Whaling City Sound) With new releases of vault material, and a renewed appreciation of his creative genius, John Coltrane (1926-1967) seems to be very much in the hearts and on the minds of today’s jazz aficionados, … Read More
By Phil Freeman, Stereogum This album is a surprise coming from saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, whose previous work has been more R&B-tinged, closer to modern soul jazz. She interprets tunes written by both John and Alice Coltrane with a wide array of guests coming from several generations of jazz, including vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, violinist Regina Carter, … Read More
By Shae Fontana, Bleu Bop Jazz vocalist’s, composer, arranger, and bandleader, Aubrey Johnson, has just released her debut album, Unraveled, out on Outside in Music, today. Unraveled tells the story of an artist and her band coming together and forging a fresh, distinctive sound unlike that of any other ensemble on the scene. Read the full review … Read More
Russian Drummer & Bandleader Sasha Mashin to Release Sophomore Album, Happy Synapse Part I due out May 8, 2020 Part II due out May 22, 2020 via Rainy Days Records Featuring: Josh Evans, Rosario Giuliani, Dmitry Mospan, Benito Gonzalez, Makar Novikov “Mashin, a whip-smart drummer with a precise yet flexible feel, is a master at finding … Read More
By Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz You enter the music of Chicago bassist/composer Clark Sommers with wary expectations: In its open-ness anything can happen. Dark perambulations pop against lighter propulsions. Dialogues take on thesis, equation and whimsy. Discourse holds its own parlance, gives definition, then allows for civil caucus. Because Ba(sh), a trio defined only by … Read More
