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Duke Ellington: Isfahan
by Ian Patterson
Part of Duke Ellington's Far East Suite (1967), “Isfahan" took its inspiration from a visit to the city of Isfahan, Iran, in 1963. Of the ancient city Ellington wrote: “everything is poetry," a sentiment transferred beautifully to this most moving of Strayhorn/Ellington compositions. Curious too, to see Ellington holding the sheet music for soloist Johnny Hodges. The same tour also took the Duke Ellington Orchestra to Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, among other stops. Will such an itinerary ever ...
read moreRemembering Albert 'Tootie' heath
by Ian Patterson
Drumming great Albert 'Tootie' Heath played with a who's who of jazz greats, from John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins to Wes Montgomery and Nina Simone. He recorded all too infrequently as a leader, probably because he was so in demand for other people's projects. This clip from the 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival finds Heath in the company of Ethan Iverson and Ben Street paying tribute to Thelonious Monk. Bye-ya Tootie, and thank you! ...
read moreAfro-Celt Sound System: Colossus
by Geno Thackara
Hand percussion, flutes and whistles, kora, bagpipes, some conventional rock instruments on the side and a layer of live electronics on top: here is a truly global melting pot of north, south, old and new. ...
read moreYotam Silberstein: Never Let Me Go
by John Chacona
In his heyday, tenor saxophonist George Coleman bulled through the changes with the single-minded muscularity of heavyweight boxer Joe Frazier bearing down on an opponent. When Big George was on, the changes didn't stand a chance. He's slowed down a bit, but like many distinguished predecessors, what Coleman has lost--or abandoned--at racehorse tempos is more than compensated by the grandeur of his playing on ballads. “Never Let Me Go" seems to be a favorite of his, and guitarist ...
read moreStefano Di Battista: La Vita è Bella
by Scott Lichtman
"La vita è bella" ("life is beautiful" in Italian) is one tune whose title truly captures its essence. Alto saxophonist Stefano Di Battista leads his quintet through this peppy, hummable bebop piece, a remake of the movie theme of the same name. As the drummer's brushwork flies by at 160bpm, Di Battista and trumpeter Matteo Cutello unleash blazing solos that “Charlie and Dizzie" would be proud of. If you're looking for 3 minutes of straight-ahead jazz sunshine, this may make ...
read moreRudder: Lucky Beard
by Mike Jacobs
It's hard to figure how a band populated by esteemed players such as Henry Hey (keys), Tim LeFebvre (bass), Chris Cheek (sax) and Keith Carlock (drums) could remain so firmly off so many people's radar. While Rudder's penchant for staying off the beaten stylistic path may have something to do with this, it also makes them all the more uniquely delectable. Bon appétit. ...
read moreKneebody: Kneebodi
by Mike Jacobs
They may have initially gone by saxophonist Ben Wendel's surname but even without the dead giveaway of a title, there's really no mistaking this album's lead track as the opening salvo from a protean, yet already brilliant, Kneebody. An unmistakable harbinger of so much creative innovation to come from this band. ...
read moreOz Noy: Which Way Is Up?
by Mike Jacobs
This jubilant opener from Oz Noy's album, Fuzzy (Magnatude, 2007) is a great showcase for the guitarist's proprietary blend of influences, wild skill set and knack for surrounding himself with uber-talented co-conspirators. ...
read moreWill Bernard 4-Tet: Medicine Hat
by Mike Jacobs
With its sly, seductive 9/8 groove, the title track from Medicine Hat (Antilles, 1998), proves to be a fine remedy for those in immediate need of a bit of uncommon soulfulness. ...
read moreChris Potter Underground: Open Minds
by Mike Jacobs
This under-an-hour doc from 2009 is not only a satisfying snapshot of one of Chris Potter's most durable and exciting lineups but is also an insightful piece on band dynamics, material development and performance ethos in jazz. Filmed largely in the legendary (and now-defunct) 55 Bar, it also cannot help but deliver accompanying bittersweet pangs for the storied NYC dive/music chapel that is no more. Featuring Nate Smith, Craig Taborn and Adam Rogers. ...
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