Jerry Z, Break Allegro Review Jerry Z | Break Allegro: The Groove Is a Conversation by Nolan DeBuke There is something unmistakable about a jazz ensemble that shares a deep rhythmic understanding. A soloist can […]
Niia, Christmas with Niia Review Niia — Christmas with Niia: A Soulful Voice for the Season by Sylvannia Garutch Holiday standards offer singers an interesting opportunity to be heard by a wide audience. The melodies […]
Andrea Brachfeld, A Holiday Celebration of Light Review Andrea Brachfeld’s A Holiday Celebration of Light: Where Holiday Traditions Meet the Language of Jazz By Ferell Aubre Holiday music occupies a familiar place in the listening […]
Matt Slocum, A Revolving Alliance Review Matt Slocum | A Revolving Alliance Review: Three Voices, One Common Thread By Nolan DeBuke The most compelling jazz trios share an understanding that goes beyond knowing the changes, […]
Émile Parisien, Floating Review Émile Parisien | Floating Review: Four Voices, One Musical Language By Ferell Aubre The unusual instrumentation of Émile Parisien’s Floating immediately suggests a quartet interested in exploring possibilities beyond conventional jazz […]
Chris Whiteman / John Toomey Quartet, Live at Révéler Review Chris Whiteman / John Toomey Quartet — Live at Révéler: The Art of Musical Conversation By Nolan DeBuke Jazz tradition is most compelling when […]
Joe Block, There Is Always Hope Review Joe Block’s There Is Always Hope: When Familiarity Becomes Musical Language by Nolan DeBuke There is a difference between knowing a composition and knowing how a particular group […]
Greg Chako, Hard Bop: For The Record Review Greg Chako, Hard Bop: For The Record: Who Fills the Space? By Ferell Aubre Removing an instrument from an established jazz format does more than change its […]
Steve Wilson, Enduring Sonance Review Steve Wilson: Enduring Sonance, Where Lyricism Lives By Nolan DeBuke Lyricism is easy to associate with slowness. Give a melody enough space, soften the dynamics, allow notes to linger, and […]
Linda Sikhakhane, LINDA Review Linda Sikhakhane’s LINDA: The Music Makes the Name Plural. By Ferell Aubre There is something revealing about a musician placing his own name on an album and then repeatedly making room […]
The Jazz Word 2021
