For progressive jazz singers, performing duets with Ran Blake is both challenging and rewarding. Blake expects a lot from vocalists, including the ability to find their own way through the music without help from the keyboard. However, this method makes the vocal/piano duet a truly equal partnership. Thomas Cunniffe reviews two new duet albums featuring Blake with vocalists Christine Correa and Sara Serpa.
The Unpredictable Ran Blake Read More »
Watching the Randy Brecker Quintet’s 1988 performance at the long-defunct club Sweet Basil is like traveling in a time machine. Certain things are familiar and yet it all looks so different. Still, as Thomas Cunniffe reports, the music holds up very well and the video master has been especially well-preserved. And while portions of this music were previously issued on LP and CD, there are several instances where the DVD differs from the earlier audio discs.
Randy Brecker Quintet: “Live 1988” (MVD DVD/CD) Read More »
Recorded during his first trip to Europe, the Ray Charles DVD Live In Europe 1961 is an important historical document. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the disc, which captures revealing glimpses of Charles’ emerging status as a polished stage performer.
Ray Charles: “Live in France 1961” (Reelin’ In The Years/Eagle Vision) Read More »
Two of the jazz world’s best-known vocal groups returned to the recording studio after prolonged absences. Manhattan Transfer’s The Junction, produced by Mervyn Warren, offers the first recordings of Trist Curless as official replacement for the late Tim Hauser, while New York Voices collaborate with the Bob Mintzer on Meeting of Minds, presenting the vocalists as an additional section of the band. Thomas Cunniffe reviews both in this CD review extra.
Resonance Records, a non-profit record label run by George Klabin and Zev Feldman, usually produces a handful of historic jazz releases each year, but this year–in the span of six weeks–they have issued five remarkable albums. In this expanded Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe reviews the CDs by Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Larry Young and Sarah Vaughan.
An Avalanche of Classic Jazz (Resonance) Read More »
All four of the singers reviewed in this month’s vocal CD reviews have been covered in these pages before. Cyrille Aimée, Claire Martin, Tierney Sutton and Roseanna Vitro always bring intriguing and fresh ideas to their recordings, and the present CDs are no exception. Thomas Cunniffe offers details on this fine recordings.
Return Engagements Read More »
While the term returning champion comes from old TV game shows, it also applies to the women featured in this month’s vocal CD reviews. All have been featured here before, and all belong in the top echelon of the vocal jazz art. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the incredible new releases of Karrin Allyson, Rachel Caswell, Tessa Souter, Luciana Souza, and Roseanna Vitro.
Returning Champions Read More »
For this month’s Instrumental CD reviews, Thomas Cunniffe explores the debut and follow-up releases of two remarkable groups: John Beasley’s Monk’estra. and Dave Douglas’ Riverside. Beasley’s group offers stunning big band versions of classic Thelonious Monk compositions, while the quartet Riverside explores music stemming from the Jimmy Giuffre 3 and Ornette Coleman Quartet.
Revisited and Renewed Read More »
Roseanna Vitro, one of the most versatile jazz vocalists working today, explores the music of Randy Newman. A CD and concert review by Thomas Cunniffe.
Roseanna Vitro: “The Music of Randy Newman” (Motéma 63) Read More »
Like John McNeil’s acclaimed quartet Hush Point, Ryan Keberle’s quintet Catharsis combines the aesthetics of cool jazz with the energy of contemporary music. With the intriguing front line of Keberle (trombone), Michael Rodriguez (trumpet) and Camila Meza (vocal and guitar), the group embraces the concepts of improvised counterpoint and simultaneous improvisation. Thomas Cunniffe reports on a live performance by this group at Denver’s Syntax Physic Opera, and offers a brief history of the ensemble.
Ryan Keberle and Catharsis (Syntax Physic Opera; February 3, 2017) Read More »
Musicians easily recognize the term saxophones of the E-flat variety as a hip way to refer to the alto and baritone saxes (the term refers to the key in which both instruments are pitched). This month, Thomas Cunniffe reviews five new albums which feature alto or baritone saxophonists. Included are CDs led by Steve Slagle, Miguel Zenón and Gary Smulyan, along with co-operatively led dates by Ingrid and Christine Jensen and Hush Point (with Jeremy Udden).
Saxophones (of the E-flat variety) Read More »
The three saxophonists featured in this month’s instrumental CD reviews have all found unique ways to explore their heritage. Caroline Davis weaves interviews with original music to trace the history of Chicago jazz from 1980-2000, Matt Parker creates his unique style from a wide range of influences, and Ken Peplowski expands his repertoire with music by Bernard Herrmann, Barry Manilow, Herbie Nichols and Peter Erskine. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the new discs.
Saxophone Heritage Read More »
When Shuffle Along premiered on Broadway in May 1921, it ended a 12-year drought of black shows on the so-called Great White Way. With a new version of the show about to premiere on Broadway, Thomas Cunniffe examines a 1976 LP and a new CD which reconstruct the show’s proto-jazz score, written by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake. Cunniffe also examines a new solo piano recording by Ehud Asherie of songs from the score.
Revisiting “Shuffle Along” Read More »