A longtime favorite of Bay Area audiences, vocalist Kenny Washington recently appeared with Michael O’Neill’s Quintet at Oakland’s 57th Street Gallery. Stacy Riley took a break from her San Francisco holiday for the performance, and submitted this concert review.
Kenny Washington/Michael O’Neill at 57th St Gallery, Oakland (June 16, 2012) Read More »
Todd Barkan’s Keystone Korner. was one of San Francisco’s premier clubs in the 70s and 80s. In her new book, Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club, author/photographer Kathy Sloane offers an intimate portrait of the nightspot, complete with a CD of recordings from the club. Chris Coulter reviews the package.
Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club (by Kathy Sloane) Read More »
Of all Dave Brubeck’s compositions, none have been as completely transformed as Koto Song. Thomas Cunniffe examines 11 Brubeck recordings of the piece and notes the gradual evolution of this delicate masterwork. All of the pieces can be heard through an embedded audio playlist and a video.
Dave Brubeck’s “Koto Song” Read More »
It would be hard Lester Young being anything except a jazz musician. His music was so emotionally transparent that it was easy to tell his mood just by the sound of his improvisations. Dave Gelly’s biography Being Prez is the first book to discuss Young’s life and music side by side. As Thomas Cunniffe notes in his book review, the lack of new revelations about Young are balanced by Gelly’s insightful connections between Young’s life and music.
Being Prez: The Life & Music of Lester Young (by Dave Gelly) Read More »
In the 1970s, many free jazz musicians were unable to find gigs in mainstream clubs. With new zoning regulations in Manhattan, many of the old factories in lower downtown were available as cheap living and performing spaces. The term loft jazz was used to describe this esoteric music, even though the moniker was quite inaccurate. Thomas Cunniffe reviews Michael C. Heller’s new monograph on the period, noting that Heller brings the era to life, but neglects to discuss the most important element: the music.
Loft Jazz: Improvising New York in the 1970s (by Michael C. Heller) Read More »
Despite a wealth of historical material on the internet, there are many otherwise well-educated people who are unaware of great musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. In this Sidetracks commentary, Thomas Cunniffe urges jazz fans to introduce newcomers to the music before our legacy vanishes.
Attracting the Lost Generations Read More »
In one of the finest books ever written on the subject, Thomas Brothers’ Louis Armstrong: Master of Modernism examines Armstrong’s pioneering work from 1922-1931. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume, noting Brothers’ free use of the race card, but praising his method of humanizing Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong: Master of Modernism (by Thomas Brothers) Read More »
In what would be his penultimate public appearance, Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars played a 30-minute concert at the National Press Club on January 29, 1971. The performance, and a tribute concert from the following year have been reissued by Smithsonian-Folkways. Thomas Cunniffe reports that the music may not be profound, but the Creole recipes included as liner notes will allow you to create a culinary tribute to Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong: “Red Beans & Ricely Yours” (Smithsonian-Folkways 60005) Read More »
Hot on the heels of her Grammy nominations for The Book of Chet and Duets III, Luciana Souza sang a three-day engagement at New York’s Jazz Standard. Accompanied by one of her favorite guitarists, Romero Lubambo, she performed classics from the Brazilian and American songbooks. Nicky Schrire attended one of the performances and offers this concert review.
Luciana Souza at the Jazz Standard, New York City (February 13, 2013) Read More »
Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza has been off the scene for the past 3 years, but she’s returning to public performance in a big way, with the simultaneous release of two very different albums, The Book of Chet and Duets III. Thomas Cunniffe reviews both CDs and notes how each illuminates Ms. Souza’s unique talents.
The Return of Luciana Souza Read More »
While pianist Lynne Arriale’s newest disc is her first solo album, she brought her trio with her for a two-night engagement at Dazzle nightclub in Denver. The sets included energetic trio pieces and intimate solo works. In this combined CD/concert review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that Arriale’s wide range of styles can both challenge the intellect and touch the heart.
Lynne Arriale: In Concert and On Disc Read More »
In their 30-year history, the Manhattan Transfer has recorded several fine albums. However, few were as pivotal as Extensions, the 1979 LP which introduced Cheryl Bentyne as a new member of the group, and solidified the group’s commitment to jazz and vocalese. Thomas Cunniffe takes a fresh look at the album in this Retro Review.
Manhattan Transfer: “Extensions” (Atlantic 19258) Read More »
At an energetic concert at Denver’s Oriental Theatre, the Manhattan Transfer proved that they are still a vital force in vocal music. The group’s founding member, Tim Hauser, was unable to travel due to illness, but Thomas Cunniffe reports that Hauser’s place was ably filled by m-pact’s bass, Trist Curless.
Manhattan Transfer at the Oriental Theatre, Denver (October 27, 2013) Read More »
Winter Morning Walks is the first album in five years from composer Maria Schneider. It is not a jazz album, but a pair of orchestral song cycles featuring soprano Dawn Upshaw. As it represents a change of pace for both us and the artist, it seems appropriate to present Thomas Cunniffe’s review of the album as this month’s edition of Sidetracks.
Maria Schneider/Dawn Upshaw: “Winter Morning Walks” (ArtistShare 121) Read More »