Released three weeks apart, the new albums by Robert Glasper and Esperanza Spalding make a concerted effort to blend elements of pop music and jazz. Thomas Cunniffe reviews both albums, noting that each artist has a unique way of mixing the styles.
Robert Glasper & Esperanza Spalding: “The Elements of Style” Read More »
This month’s vocal CDs cover music from far and wide. L’Estranges in the Night are a married duet from England whose album features music of French composer Michel Legrand; Austrian singer Elisabeth Lohninger treats Czech audiences to a wide-ranging repertoire on her live album, and Hispanic jazz vocalist Jackie Ryan covers a multitude of genres on her latest recording. Thomas Cunniffe provides his reactions.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba explores his own faith in a self-released solo piano recording. The album evokes the Santiera religion of Cuba as well as the pianist’s main American influences, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans and John Coltrane. Our Latin jazz specialist, Janine Santana reviews the album.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: “Fe” (“Faith”) (5Pasion 5) Read More »
JHO principal writer Thomas Cunniffe grew up in Greeley, Colorado and went to music school at that city’s University of Northern Colorado. Thus, he has a unique perspective on the annual UNC/Greeley Jazz Fesitival. Over the past four decades, he has seen it grow from a stream of performances by college big bands and combos held in a converted movie theater to a fully professional presentation featuring world-class artists. In his Concert Review, Cunniffe states that the 2017 edition may be one of the best he’s witnessed, not only for the stellar performances by Sheila Jordan, Aubrey Logan, Greg Gisbert, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Band, but also for a remarkable suite based on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival (April 20-22, 2017) Read More »
The 46th annual Greeley Jazz Festival featured a remarkable array of guest artists including New York Voices, Ellis Marsalis, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Houston Person, Tamir Hendelman and Joey DeFrancesco. However, it was also a reunion of alumni from Greeley’s University of Northern Colorado Jazz Studies department. Thomas Cunniffe, who is one of those alumni, offers an extended review of the festival.
UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival (April 21-23, 2016) Read More »
With the help of Dave Douglas, John Gunther, Aoife O’Donovan and Matt Flinner, Greg Garrison’s Improvised Roots shattered the traditional genres of American music with intriguing music that challenged both the musicians and the audience. Thomas Cunniffe reviews their performance at Denver’s Dazzle jazz club.
Greg Garrison’s Improvised Roots at Dazzle Jazz, Denver (January 13, 2012) Read More »
Music (and especially jazz) has the quality of a living organism, changing from night to night as its players find new avenues of expression. After a year of global touring, Gretchen Parlato and her band are recording live versions of songs previously issued on her studio albums. Nicky Schrire attended one of these live sessions in New York City, and offers this concert review.
Gretchen Parlato at Rockwood Music Hall, New York City (December 6, 2012) Read More »
Gretchen Parlato is one of the top young jazz singers on the scene today. Thomas Cunniffe profiles this extraordinary musician, and how she rediscovers the essence of jazz every night.
Gretchen Parlato: Finding The Essence Read More »
Eric Gunnison was Carmen McRae’s accompanist for the last four years of her career. To honor McRae, Gunnison performed several of her signature songs at Denver’s Dazzle night club, featuring Ellyn Rucker’s vocals and McRae’s original trio arrangements. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the performance.
Eric Gunnison & Ellyn Rucker at Dazzle, Denver (June 14, 2012) Read More »
The debut CD of the H2 Big Band, co-led by Al Hood and Dave Hanson, features a wealth of talent and an excellent collections of arrangements by Hanson. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the CD and a concert performance.
H2 Big Band: “You’re It!” (Jazzed Media 1053) Read More »
Fresh out of the Berklee College of Music, saxophonist Hailey Niswanger has released her second self-produced album The Keeper. Dedicated to several of her mentors and featuring a band full of Berklee alumni, the album offers splendid examples of this engaging improviser and composer. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the album.
Hailey Niswanger: “The Keeper” (Calmit Productions) Read More »
The Hammond B-3 organ designates its own subculture in the jazz world. Yet, in the proper hands, it can fit into many different musical environments. Ben Markley reviews a trio of varied albums featuring the organists Pat Bianchi, Tony Monaco and Jared Gold.
Contemporary Stylists of the Hammond B-3 Read More »
Thomas Cunniffe reviews recent releases by two masters of the alto saxophone. Donald Harrison’s This Is Jazz is a surprisingly avant-garde set featuring Ron Carter and Billy Cobham, and Phil Woods performs in a duet setting with Bill Mays on Phil and Bill.
Donald Harrison & Phil Woods: Alto Sax Roundup Read More »
Ask the average jazz musician who he would like to meet, and one likely answer would be Herbie Hancock. From all accounts, Hancock is a friendly warm person with few pretensions. We may not all get our chance to hang out with Herbie, but his autobiography Possibilities might be the next best thing. In a conversational tone, Hancock recalls his work with Miles Davis, his own groups, and offers a few surprising stories. Thomas Cunniffe offers his impressions of the autobiography in this month’s Book Review.
Possibilities (by Herbie Hancock & Lisa Dickey) Read More »