In the first installment of his ongoing series Tales From Prague, Skip Wilkins tells of his first experiences playing in Europe, the summer jazz workshop in North Bohemia where he teaches, and his quintet, comprised of American and Czech musicians.
Tales From Prague 1 Read More »
In this month’s Tales From Prague, Skip Wilkins hits the road and recalls his experiences playing outside of Prague. Skip also tells of the new friends he has made, both on and off the bandstand.
Tales From Prague 4 Read More »
Now in their 18th year as a cooperative unit, the Tierney Sutton Band has released a new CD, American Road, which captures the breadth of American music, from folk songs to opera. Ellen Johnson reviews this album, which has been nominated for two Grammy awards. .
Tierney Sutton Band: “American Road” (BFM Jazz 302062408) Read More »
Between 1975 and 1993, pianist Tommy Flanagan recorded six tribute albums featuring, in turn, the music of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Bud Powell, Harold Arlen, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Thad Jones. Thomas Cunniffe explores these albums in this month’s Historical Essay.
Tommy Flanagan’s Composer Tributes Read More »
While he hasn’t always taken the best care of his voice, at 89, Tony Bennett is still at the top of his game. His remarkable new Jerome Kern tribute disc, The Silver Lining (co-led with pianist Bill Charlap) is a virtual master class of fine interpretation and vocal finesse. In this feature review, Thomas Cunniffe describes the many wonders located on this disc.
Tony Bennett/Bill Charlap: “The Silver Lining” (RPM/Columbia 14574) Read More »
For the Tierney Sutton Band, it’s all about the arrangements. Over the past 25 years, the group has created and developed an enormous book, from which they assemble their live and recorded performances. When they appeared at Denver’s Newman Center, they acquiesced to the concert posters and presented a concert of Sting songs. Thomas Cunniffe reports that the music successfully reached both the jazz and pop fans in the audience.
Tierney Sutton Band at the Newman Center, Denver (January 11, 2018) Read More »
One of the cohesive ensembles in jazz, the Tierney Sutton band played a two-night engagement at Denver’s Dazzle nightclub which displayed incredible communication, both among themselves and to the audience. Thomas Cunniffe caught the Sunday night sets and offers this concert review.
Tierney Sutton Band at Dazzle, Denver (May 6, 2012) Read More »
Timme Rosenkrantz was a Danish baron with a deep and abiding love for jazz. He spent significant parts of his life in the US, and his memoirs have been translated and collected in the new book Harlem Jazz Adventures. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume in this month’s book review.
Harlem Jazz Adventures (by Timme Rosenkrantz) Read More »
The Mosaic Project, Terri Lyne Carrington’s latest CD offers a variety of styles (some coexisting in the same track) performed by an all-star–and all-woman–ensemble. Thomas Cunniffe offers his impressions in this CD review.
Terri Lyne Carrington: “The Mosaic Project” (Concord 33016) Read More »
The Baroness Pannonica Rothschild de Koenigswarter was one of a handful of non-musicians who played small but pivotal roles in the history of jazz. The Baroness’ great-niece Hannah has researched Nica’s story for radio and television documentaries, and has now put her findings in book form. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume.
The Baroness (by Hannah Rothschild) Read More »
Theo Bleckmann is one of the most innovative jazz vocalists on the current scene. He has explored a wide range of music from Charles Ives to Kate Bush. In this exclusive interview with Jazz History Online’s Ellen Johnson, Bleckmann discusses his many collaborations and his use of electronics.
Theo Bleckmann: The Mad Genius of Vocal Jazz Read More »
Each of the three tenor saxophonists featured in this month’s instrumental CD reviews have found ways to redefine classic jazz traditions. Geof Bradfield develops the music of folk singers Leadbelly and Blind Willie Johnson, while Jon Irabagon challenges our concept of straight-ahead jazz, and Kirsten Edkins delves into Blue Note and cool grooves with a unique concept of rhythm. Thomas Cunniffe gives his opinions of these three discs.
Tenors of our Time Read More »
Teddy Wilson was one of the most prolific jazz musicians of the 1930s, recording with Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, and many others. No single CD box set could ever cover all of Wilson’s recordings from this period, and Mosaic’s new collection contains some–but not all–of Wilson’s best sides as a leader, including all of his solo tracks, several combo sessions and all of his big band tracks. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the contents of the set in this month’s Retro Review.
Classic Brunswick & Columbia Teddy Wilson Sessions (Mosaic 265) Read More »
The music of Billy Strayhorn gets a fresh and surprising makeover in the latest CD from trumpeter Terell Stafford. Thomas Cunniffe offers his comments on the disc.
Terell Stafford: “This Side of Strayhorn” (MaxJazz 408) Read More »