Thomas Cunniffe

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR 05-23

Details about the latest issue of Jazz History Online, including Book, CD and Video Reviews.

One of the stated goals of all tribute albums is to enlighten listeners about a classic artist through the prism of a younger artist’s interpretation. In this CD review essay, Thomas Cunniffe examines four new tribute albums with a special focus on repertoire. Included in the survey are Cecilia Smith’s homage to Mary Lou Williams, Craig Davis’ salute to Dodo Marmarosa, Ann Hampton Callaway’s celebration of Peggy Lee, and Janiece Jaffe’s posthumous tribute to Joni Mitchell.

FEMININE PERSPECTIVES

Female musicians continue to make inroads in the jazz world, and this collection of capsule reviews celebrate five new albums led by prominent jazz women. The supergroup Artemis presents their second album, violinist Sara Caswell offers a long-awaited CD of her music, Champian Fulton shines in a new live recording, Jo Lawry collaborates with Linda May Han Oh and Allison Miller for a daring recital, and Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke celebrate 20 years of music-making with a splendid duet album. Thomas Cunniffe offers his evaluations.

THE BEBOP CHRONICLES

This issue’s Retro Review spotlights two collections of historic bebop recordings. Savoy’s “The Birth of Bop” was originally issued in 1952 and consists solely of commercial recordings made for Savoy, while Verve’s “Bird in LA” collects rare private recordings which document three of Parker’s visits to the City of Angels. Thomas Cunniffe evaluates each set.

“RUMINATIONS & REFLECTIONS” (by Dave Liebman & Richie Beirach)

Saxophonist Dave Liebman and pianist Richie Beirach have created compelling music together for the past 50 years, and their joint memoir “Ruminations and Reflections” collects their stories and opinions from interviews, letters and lectures. Thomas Cunniffe offers his review of the book, which manages to be both enlightening and frustrating in equal degrees.

SLOANE: A JAZZ SINGER

Vocalist Carol Sloane never received sufficient recognition in her lifetime, but a wonderful new documentary “Sloane: A Jazz Singer” may rectify the situation even though Sloane is no longer here to receive it. The film is just beginning to appear in festivals, and Thomas Cunniffe, offers his appraisal.

CONCERT JOURNAL: WINTER-SPRING 2023

Jazz History Online’s Concert Journal continues to cover the finest jazz concerts from the Eastern US. Thomas Cunniffe is your guide to the wide variety of jazz performed from Boston to DC.

From the Editor by Thomas CunniffeDecember 31, 2022May 29, 2023

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR 12-22

Hello everyone– Here, at last, is the final issue of Jazz History Online for 2022. It is a double issue with extra book, video, and CD reviews, along with a new interview. I’ve been working on this issue since the middle of autumn, and the only reasons I can give for their tardy publication are […]

2022: THE SUMMATION

…And another year has passed. This one seemed to move quicker than the others but not being in quarantine might have made the difference. In 2022, Jazz History Online covered more concerts than in any other year in its history; however, this was also the year with the fewest full issues. Only 3 books and […]

“SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF SONNY ROLLINS” (by Aidan Levy)

Sonny Rollins is rightly considered “the world’s greatest living jazz improviser” even though he has been unable to play his tenor saxophone for several years. Yet, very little has been published about Rollins’ personal life. A massive 700+ page biography by Aidan Levy rectifies the situation with pages of previously undocumented information, and an incredible collection of new interviews, including with Rollins. Thomas Cunniffe discusses this important reference work in this Book Review.

LESSONS IN HUMANITY

No one ever claimed that being a jazz musician was easy, and the three films reviewed here focus on those struggles. “Louis Armstrong: Black and Blues” spends considerable time on the jazz icon’s personal issues with racism, “Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes” examines the bassist’s struggles with the unexpected deaths of family members and the challenges of maintaining his high level of artistry, while the feature film “Round Midnight” explores loneliness, depression, and alcoholism. Thomas Cunniffe discusses the common themes in this Video Review.

MARYLYNN GILLASPIE & KIP KUEPPER ON “SECRET LANGUAGE”

During the 1980s, MaryLynn Gillaspie was a key member of the vocal group Rare Silk. Gillaspie has performed solo performer in the Denver/Boulder area for the past decade. She has returned to the recording studio to create an outstanding new album, “Secret Language”, which represents a new depth for her in repertoire and performance. Thomas Cunniffe spoke with Gillaspie and her arranger/collaborator Kip Kuepper about the album’s scope and concepts.

“THE COMPLETE FREDDIE HUBBARD BLUE NOTE & IMPULSE STUDIO SESSIONS” (Mosaic 274)

With the exception of Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard was the hottest jazz trumpeter during the early to mid-1960s. Prior to leading his own group, he was a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and he appeared on many landmark albums of the time. A new Mosaic box collects the first 10 LPs Hubbard recorded under his own name, in stunning fidelity with outstanding liner notes by Bob Blumenthal. Thomas Cunniffe offers a track-by-track summary of this set in this Retro Review.

2022’s BEST OF THE REST: VOCAL CD REVIEWS

At the end of every year, Thomas Cunniffe attempts to review all of the noteworthy discs remaining on his review stack. Laura Anglade, Camille Bertault, Roberta Donnay, Aubrey Johnson, Manhattan Transfer, Paul Marinaro, Luciana Souza, and Nancy Harms are the featured vocalists in this collection of CD Reviews (see elsewhere on The Front Page for a collection of instrumental CD reviews).