Herbie Hancock called his 1970 LP, Mwandishi his “favorite record of all the records I have ever made, and the loosest I’ve ever done.” Marissa Dodge examines this pivotal album which expanded the ideas explored in Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew.
Herbie Hancock: “Mwandishi” (Warner Bros. 9362 47541) Read More »
The modern art of the trombone is illustrated in two new releases by veteran Conrad Herwig (Tip of the Sword) and newcomer Marshall Gilkes (Sound Stories). Chris Coulter examines both discs in this CD review.
Conrad Herwig and Marshall Gilkes: No Tailgating Here! Read More »
On a winter night in 1972, Lee Morgan’s estranged common-law wife, Helen, shot and killed the trumpeter in the middle of a packed nightclub. The details of the murder have been elusive for decades, but a new film by Kasper Collin, I Called Him Morgan uses an audio interview of Helen and the memories of Lee’s musical colleagues to describe the events leading to the trumpeter’s death. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the film, recently issued on DVD.
I Called Him Morgan (Filmrise DVD; Netflix/Amazon stream) Read More »
It’s the quietest revolution I’ve ever seen states Terence Blanchard in this award-winning documentary about the current jazz scene. Thomas Cunniffe examines both its feature film version and the original 4-hour broadcast edition.
Icons Among Us: Jazz In The Present Tense (Indiepix) Read More »
The two vocal CDs reviewed this month memorialize a great musician (and his wife), and an honored son. Karla Harris celebrates the rarely-heard vocal music of Dave & Iola Brubeck, while Chris McNulty offers a heartfelt memorial to her late son, Sam. Thomas Cunniffe gives his reactions to these fine albums.
While each of the leaders of this month’s instrumental CDs is an accomplished composer/arranger, most of the music presented on their discs are from the pens of other composers. Saxophonist Michael Cox remembers his friend and colleague Mark Flugge on Compassion, Eddie Daniels salutes Egberto Gismondi on Heart of Brazil, Ryan Keberle and Frank Woeste explore a piece by Maurice Ravel on Reverso, and Bobby Sanabria offers a dramatic rewrite of a classic musical in West Side Story Reimagined. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the discs.
This month’s vocal CD reviews take us to Spain, Hungary, Switzerland and Brazil via four superb vocalists who may be not be well-known to American audiences. Thomas Cunniffe introduces you to the music of Carmen Cuesta, Paulinho Garcia, Beat Kaestli and Rozina Pátkai.
International Flair Read More »
The flamboyant electric bassist Jaco Pastorius was an anomaly in jazz history. Since his instrument has generally gone out of favor in jazz circles, Pastorius’ main influence has been within rock bands. A new documentary, authorized by the Pastorius family, was produced by Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, and features an equal number of rock and jazz musicians as interviewees. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the 2-DVD set of Jaco, noting that the film discusses Jaco as a person well, but gets a few key facts wrong.
Jaco (Iron Horse/MVD Visual) Read More »
The spirit of the late John Dankworth is present throughout It Happens Quietly, the latest CD from his daughter, Jacqui Dankworth. John arranged most of the music on the album, and soloed on one track. In his review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that this import CD is a stunning memorial from daughter to father.
Jacqui Dankworth: “It Happens Quietly” (Specific 14) Read More »
Saxophonist James Carter has been part of the New York jazz scene for over 20 years. His imaginative, risk-taking style has brought both fans and detractors, but the energetic spirit of his playing has brought some of those detractors over to his side. Carter discusses that and tells about the creation and recording of a new saxophone concerto with Jazz History Online’s Marissa Dodge.
The James Carter Interview Read More »
Snappy Too has everything you’d expect from a modern big band album: great arrangements, thrilling ensemble parts and great soloists. In fact, all it’s missing is 15 other people, for this remarkable CD features Jeff Hamilton on drums, and James Morrison on all the other instruments. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the disc.
James Morrison: “Snappy Too!” (Morrison Records 20) Read More »
During the 1920s, James P. Johnson’s career developed in four distinct areas: stride pianist, vocal accompanist, songwriter and sideman. A new set from Mosaic features Johnson’s recordings in all these areas during his peak years of 1921-1943. Because the recordings are presented in chronological order, the music of those distinct areas get mixed together. In his Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe suggests that listeners use the programming function on their CD player to separate the styles and omit some of the less artistic tracks.
Classic James P. Johnson Sessions (Mosaic 262) Read More »
Just over 20 years ago, a quote from astronaut Joseph Allen about traveling through outer space and seeing 16 sunrises and sunsets per day inspired Jane Ira Bloom to write a brilliant piece for improvisers and antiphonal wind ensemble. Today that same quote has inspired a more reflective album from Bloom, an all-ballads CD which reviewer Thomas Cunniffe says unfolds like a well-written story.
Jane Ira Bloom: “Sixteen Sunsets” (Outline 141) Read More »
The musical worlds of soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom encompass visual art, modern dance and outer space. A brilliant improviser and educator, Bloom has been a vibrant part of the jazz scene for over 30 years. Thomas Cunniffe’s profile includes detailed descriptions of her finest recordings.