by Matt Micucci, Jazziz “Vocalist Somi will release her full-length personal tribute to the legendary Miriam Makeba on March 4. Pre-order Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba here. The new single from the album is a sultry minimalist take on “Love Tastes Like Strawberries.” Somi performs the song with Gregory Porter as a duet, in … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz Alex “Apolo” Ayala is one of the most in-demand bassists in the contemporary Latin music and jazz scene of New York City. His latest album, Bámbula, is available now on Truth Revolution Records. On it, he marries modern jazz ideas with Afro-Puerto Rican styles via a set of seven original compositions and … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz “A long-thought lost recording of master improviser Cecil Taylor, documenting his epic 1973 return to live performance in full, including an 88-minute “Autumn/Parade” and more. The concert featured the pianist alongside Cecil Taylor Unit members Jimmy Lyons and Andrew Cyrille, plus Sirone on bass. This digital-only release is accompanied by a … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz “Vocalist Kristen Lee Sergeant revisits her formative feel for musical drama on her upcoming album, Falling. She paints a vivid musical portrait and showcases her natural penchant for storytelling on “Sisyphus.” The track is inspired by the mythical figure in Homer’s Iliad, who is punished for trying to resist death. Here, … Read More
By Matt Micucci, Jazziz Guitarist Oz Noy, drummer Ray Marchica and bassist Ugonna Okegwo will release Riverside, their new trio recording, on January 21 via Outside In Music. Read more here.
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz “On Nar, visionary vocalist/composer Christiane Karam melds Middle Eastern and Balkan aesthetics with contemporary jazz alongside her quartet with pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, cellist Naseem Alatrash, bassist Peter Slavov and percussionist Keita Ogawa. This is her first full-length release in nine years.” “Pianist Mathis Picard explores early influences and his inner musical world … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz “Vocalist/composer Christiane Karam will release Nar, her first album in nine years, on January 28. The record finds her melding Middle Eastern and Balkan aesthetics with contemporary jazz alongside her quartet with pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, cellist Naseem Alatrash, bassist Peter Slavov and percussionist Keita Ogawa. The announcement comes with the release of … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz “The record includes arrangements of holiday classics as well as brand new compositions. Season’s Swingin’ Greetings marks the two close friends’ first release as co-leaders and will also be available in a Deluxe Edition package.” Read the full article here.
By Matt Micucci, Jazziz “Puerto Rican master drummer/composer/arranger Henry Cole is known for his versatility and groove. Over the years, he has performed with many of the greats, from Miguel Zenón to Gary Burton and beyond. During this time of intense activity, he also developed his own idiosyncratic “mestizo sound,” which synthesizes African, Indigeound and … Read More
By Matt Micucci, Jazziz Read The Week in Jazz article, featuring Dave Young’s Mantra and Alex Brown’s The Dark Fire Sessions, here.
