All About Jazz News

Julian Joseph is something of a jazz master of all trades. Pianist, composer, bandleader, arranger, broadcaster and educator, Joseph is constantly busy, always working on new ideas and projects, spreading the word about music, encouraging young performers and generally promoting jazz around the world. With Shadowball Joseph has turned his attention to the relationship between jazz and baseball, bringing the two together in a major jazz opera...

Quite possibly the hardest-working saxophonist--if not the hardest working musician, period--these days, not a month goes by when there doesn't seem to be a new release from veteran jazzer Dave Liebman. In the twelve months since autumn 2009 alone, Liebman has been spotted in freer terrain, collaborating with another active saxophonist, m: Evan Parker, on Relevance (Red Toucan, 2010), and drummer m: Michael Stephans on Nomads (ITMP, 2009), while mining the modern mainstream with the collective super group Contact on Five on One (Pirouet, 2010), also featuring pianist m: Marc Copland, guitarist m: John Abercrombie, bassist m: Drew Gress and drummer m: Billy Hart...

Quest Searching for the New Sound of Be-Bop Storyville Records 2010 There are groups that become legends in their own time and others that only gain momentum after their time has come and gone. Quest was by no means unsuccessful during its ten-year run beginning with its self-titled, Japan-only, 1981 debut, but the quartet's reputation has grown considerably in the two decades since its swan song, Of One Mind (CMP, 1990). As key as each member of the quartet was, it remains the collective language of Quest's two principal writers (saxophonist m: Dave Liebman and pianist Richard Beirach) that defined Quest's sound--an acoustic evolution over their 1970s group Lookout Farm, which, unlike its higher volume, higher octane counterparts, remained an unapologetic jazz band, albeit one which explored a post-saxophonist m: John Coltrane landscape through a prism personally crafted of funk, Indian and 20th century classical musics...

The annual Labor Day Weekend Tanglewood Jazz Festival will take place this weekend at the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Lenox, Massachusetts. Rich Bradway, the new media guru at Boston Symphony Orchestra will be our roving reporter capturing highlights from the festival with a handheld and will present new video featurettes on Saturday and Sunday...

For many decades, Philadelphia has been home to a cadre of multi-generational jazz musicians who go on year-after-year composing, arranging and performing some of the best, highest level music to be heard anywhere. This tradition is exemplified in no better way than by alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Bobby Zankel...

Dear Mr. P.C.: In jazz music, much is spoken of the virtue of leaving space. If I don't, they'll say I'm too busy; if I do, I they'll say I can't play. m: Count Basie played sparsely, and I bet he didn't get the applause or the chicks; I bet they gave him a wide berth. But I bet m: Oscar Peterson scored...

"Louis" A Silent Movie with Live Accompaniment August 31, 2010 Keswick Theater Glenside, Pennsylvania The Keswick Theatre returned to its roots with a twist. The elegant music venue in suburban Philadelphia built in 1928 as a movie and vaudeville house was one of the five cities hosting a showing of the silent film "Louis." But this time the old theatre organ that still sits stage right was silent. Tonight, the music was provided by famed trumpeter m: Wynton Marsalis, pianist Cecile Licad, and an outstanding ten-piece jazz orchestra whose members consisted of many veterans of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The film, directed by musician and Hyatt Hotel heir Dan Pritzker, and the musicians were on a five-city tour where they have played to capacity audiences and standing ovations. It was a lovely evening indeed with a performance that dazzled the eyes, ears, and emotions...

There have been a number of pianists within the classical and jazz genres whose work have remained majestic and timeless, but never has there been a pianist quite like Marilyn Crispell. Never has a pianist been able to reach such extraordinary depths of spirituality and complexity. Nevertheless, levels of creativity rarely equate to levels of popularity and therefore, it's not surprising that visionary works remain largely misunderstood and unappreciated during their own time. Such is the case with Marilyn Crispell...

We live during a time when society needs music in boxes, connected with dots; music that can be readily explained and even more readily understood. But Peter Brotzmann tears down the walls, rips apart the boxes and completely shatters any preconceived notions of what music is supposed to be. He understands the necessity of art being able to express from the soul and spirit of the artist, and that is a freedom fought for, one that is intensely fought for. It is a simplicity found in its own complexity, a search that cannot be taught but must be carefully found through one's own sense of discovery. It is the nature of the universe in it's highest and most creative form...

I had the opportunity to interview with Fred Anderson on several occasions. In each instance I walked away with the feeling that I was a better person for the time I spent with him. It was his wisdom, his generosity of spirit, his knowingness that our time here on this planet was short at best, and his humble appreciation to have been able to play music during this lifetime...

The Doors When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors Eagle Vision 2010 There are a usually two ways of looking at iconic 1960s rock group, The Doors. One views it as nothing more than a vehicle for front man Jim Morrison, an enigmatic and undeniably charismatic singer with little regard for convention and, to some, a profound lyricist. Another finds Morrison's self-indulgent, self-destructive behavior as nothing more than rampant narcissism; a textbook demonstration of what can happen when a massive ego gains access to big money and even more massive adulation. When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors does little to change anyone's opinion, but does set the record straight in ways that Oliver Stone's heavily revisionist biopic, The Doors (1991), never did...

Rufus Reid Live in Vienna Quantum Leap/MVD Visual 2005 In a memorable 2005 concert performance at the Porgy and Bess jazz club in Vienna, bassist Rufus Reid's trio interpreted several of his original compositions as well as the standard "Cherokee." And what power that old chestnut emitted. With pianist Fritz Pauer and drummer m: John Hollenbeck, Reid tore the house down with his one-of-a-kind delivery...

Cindy Blackman's Explorations Jazz Standard New York, NY August 18, 2010 Cindy Blackman's Explorations' first set on Wednesday, August 18 opened with a very experimental-sounding number dominated by keyboards and drums that switched back and forth into a more traditional format. Linking the tune's two facets was m: Rashaan Carter's walking bass, which stood apart from the piece's electronic textures. This structure gave saxophonist m: Antoine Roney plenty of space to freely improvise. Keyboardists m: Marc Cary and Zaccai Curtis followed his lead, also adding plenty of individuality throughout...

Commitment The Complete Recordings 1981-1983 No Business Records 2010 Following on from the artistic success of their splendid Muntu Box Set (2010), No Business Records has restored the only release by the ground-breaking cooperative Commitment to availability. As one of first bands to unite Asian American with African American musicians, the quartet, comprising m: Jason Kao Hwang on violin and Zen Matsuura on drums with reedman Will Connell Jr. and bassist m: William Parker, was almost unprecedented and its blending of cultures unique. What we have here is the 40-minute studio session from their lone eponymous LP supplemented by an almost 90-minute festival tape from Moers in Germany during the band's only trip to Europe, in 1983. Ed Hazell, again, contributes extensive sleeve notes which document and explicate the context in which the original appeared at the tail end of the loft jazz era...

Although musicians continue to complain about lack of work, a paucity of venues, and other obstacles to their careers, jazz and other improvisational styles continue to develop because of the plethora of music schools currently dotting the American landscape. There are many artists who can recall the days when North Texas State was the only university in the nation to offer students a major in jazz and improvisational music. Today there are over 400 universities and specialty institutions offering diverse education in these genres. One of the most intriguing of the latter is the Walden School in Dublin New Hampshire...

Snape Proms Snape Maltings Concert Hall Snape, UK August 10, 17 and 24, 2010 The Snape Proms, held each August in the beautiful Snape Maltings in the east of England, once again featured a strong and varied selection of jazz concerts in its program. The m: Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra, the m: Neil Cowley Trio and m: Courtney Pine's sextet were just three of the acts to grace the 830-seat concert hall, drawing full houses and demonstrating the diversity of the British jazz scene...

August 2010 has been an interesting month. A few weeks ago I noticed a slight twinge in the right shoulder. The twinge soon became an ache, followed by loss of mobility and muscle tone in the right arm. The pain varies but is always there. As this is being written, I can raise the right arm less than halfway to shoulder height, and can't come near straightening it in front of me. I can flex the right hand but can't lift anything much heavier than a bottle of juice or cola. The muscles in the left shoulder / upper arm are also sore, but so far (knock wood) without any noticeable loss of mobility or strength in the arm or hand (I'm left-handed). To date, I've tried chiropractic and massage, and have been to a physical therapist. I'll have a CT scan this week, followed by more physical therapy, massage and whatever else is needed. Meanwhile, everyday acts, such as shaving, showering, putting on one's shirt and so on have become mini-adventures. Obviously, I am still able to type, else you wouldn't be reading this. The hope is I've only pulled or strained a muscle (or more), or pinched a nerve (or more). If that's the case, time and proper care will resolve the problem. If it's something else, I'll have to deal with that in the best way possible. And so ends the report from sick bay. In other news...

Dani Felber Big Band More Than Just Friends Self Published 2010 Before hazarding any premature comment about the merits of this new album by Swiss bandleader m: Dani Felber, it must be noted at the outset that one of Felber's good friends is former m: Count Basie stalwart m: Frank Foster whose even-handed assessment is that "this is the very best big band in Europe." Clearly one man's opinion, but considering who that man is, one that's certainly worth taking to heart. Felber has undeniably molded his ensemble in the Basie image with seven of the album's dozen numbers written by Foster, the others by Felber. Even though it's generally ill-advised to foretell anyone's response, it's pretty safe to assume that if you're a Basie fan you're going to love this...

Versatility is an important part of a well-developed artistic soul. The arts provide a wide range of outlets of expression that can be nurtured and grown into their finest results. Music could very well be a reason to believe in the extraordinary, and jazz musicians are no exception; they might even be a norm. It is the dream of every artist to create freely, as improvised notes are gathered in an instrument and then exposed to the world at a moment's notice. And here comes jazz: wide open doors, windows letting all that sunshine in, and the ability to take a deep breath right before the soul allows the magic to materialize in the form of music...

Standards are the language of jazz. Standards represent music that have withstood the ruthless test of time. Songs built by craftsman, instead of limericks scribbled by American idols adorned in sequins and leather chaps. Music that has been constructed to last, built with the brick and mortar of harmony and melody. And yet, too often, the timeless master-song-craftsman's names are not usually recognized by listening audiences of today...