Normally, this space would be filled with a book review. But this month, Thomas Cunniffe became quite frustrated with a new jazz listener’s guide he was asked to review. As he writes,This book is a particularly egregious example of shoddy work, which was pushed into the marketplace without recognition of its responsibilities or consequences. Cunniffe uses the faults of the book to address the problems with some of today’s jazz scholarship.
The impact of Norman Granz on the world of jazz can hardly be underestimated. He influenced the way the music is presented both live and in the studio, and he was a trailblazer in the struggle for civil rights. Tad Hershorn’s new biography tells of Granz’ accomplishments and failures, and Thomas Cunniffe offers his reactions in our new book review section.
Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice (by Tad Hershorn) Read More »
Not all of the giants in New York play at the Meadowlands. Indeed, most of the giants heard in this month’s instrumental CD reviews are most likely to be found at Manhattan’s many nightspots. The range of the music, including Anat Cohen’s Brazilian ensemble, Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project, and the straight-ahead groups led by Steve Turre and Ben Wolfe display some of the styles played in the Big Apple. Thomas Cunniffe reviews these four remarkable new albums.
New York (Jazz) Giants Read More »
The three vocal CDs reviewed this month feature an abundance of original compositions. Gabriel Espinosa and Hendrik Meurkens lead an international ensemble on a celebration of Brazilian music, Samba Little Samba, Lauren Hooker sings an autobiographical song cycle on All For You, My Heart and Soul, and the duo of Judi Silvano and Michael Abene perform daring improvisations from compositional sketches on My Dance. Thomas Cunniffe examines the music.
Few albums had the impact of Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come and Change of the Century. They generated an incredible amount of critical buzz, and there was little middle ground: either you loved it or hated it. In 1960 (and today), Amy Duncan loved it, and she shares her reactions to the albums in this Retro Review.
The latest CD from pianist Oscar Perez features a commissioned three-movement work that fuses African, European and indigineous musics into a unified whole. Our Latin jazz expert Janine Santana offers her thoughts on the disc.
Oscar Perez: “Afropean Affair” (Chandra 8094) Read More »
While his Easter Suite was considered one of his major compositions, Oscar Peterson never made a commercial recording of the work. In time for Holy Week, Naxos/Art Haus has issued a DVD featuring Peterson’s only recording of the piece, made for The South Bank Show. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the disc.
Oscar Peterson: “Easter Suite” (Naxos/Art Haus) Read More »
Jazz fiction is a rarely-used literary sub-genre, which means the forms are open enough to allow its writers a great deal of flexibility. Scott Shachter’s new novel Outside In tells the story of a progressive jazz saxophonist and his number one fan. Thomas Cunniffe reviews this funny and engaging book.
Outside In (by Scott Shachter) Read More »
Did French audiences and critics really understand jazz and its creators better than Americans? Author Andy Fry thinks not, and in his new book, Paris Blues, he refutes those stories with dramatic new research. In his review, Thomas Cunniffe admires Fry’s research, but wishes that the book would have been more comprehensive.
Paris Blues (by Andy Fry) Read More »
Paul Desmond’s blazing improvisation on The Way You Look Tonight (from the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s album Jazz at Oberlin) has long been considered one of the saxophonist’s greatest solos. An alert JHO reader discovered that the solo was edited when transferred from 10 LP to EP and 12 LP. In this Sidetracks feature, Thomas Cunniffe notes that the edit completely changes the feel of the solo. Both versions are embedded in this article.
The Unedited Paul Desmond Read More »
From the beginning of her 6-decade career, Peggy Lee was the personification of understatement. Her subtle vocal delivery said more with one note that most singers did with several, and on film, she could entice the entire audience with only a raised eyebrow. James Gavin’s new biography, Is That All There Is examines Lee’s life and music. In his Book Review, Thomas Cunniffe argues that because the book’s primary focus is on Lee’s personal life, it might discourage new fans from exploring her music.
Is That All There Is?: The Strange Life of Peggy Lee (by James Gavin) Read More »
It’s hard to go wrong with an all-star recording featuring Bobby Hackett, Urbie Green, Zoot Sims, Hank Jones, Slam Stewart, Mel Lewis and leader Peter Appleyard. While reviewer Thomas Cunniffe praises the music on the newly-released The Lost 1974 Sessions, there are severe problems with the production of the disc which call for a new edition.
Peter Appleyard & The Jazz Giants: “The Lost 1974 Sessions” (Linus 270135) Read More »
In 1978, Phil Woods composed and arranged I Remember…, an album-long suite which memorialized eight jazz masters: Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond, Oscar Pettiford, Oliver Nelson, Charlie Parker, Willie Rodriguez, Willie Dennis and Gary McFarland. In this Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that the album is also a memorial for Dr. Herb Wong, whose liner notes graced the original LP.
Phil Woods: “I Remember…” (Gryphon 788) Read More »
The piano is capable of a wide range of expression, and the piano CD reviewed this month display three different approaches to the instrument. Yelena Eckemoff leads a quartet of Norwegian jazz musicians through an original program of meditative pieces on Everblue, Benny Green and his trio enliven their audience with joyous swing on Live in Santa Cruz and Fred Hersch plays a concert of romantic ballads and energetic originals on Solo. Thomas Cunniffe offers his thoughts in this month’s CD Reviews.