Posts Tagged Improvisation
Archive
June 1, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Masabumi Kikuchi: Hanamichi
Masabumi Kikuchi Hanamichi Red Hook Records Masabumi Kikuchi was a pianist working across jazz and improvisation. We don’t always get to know aspects of the rich story of the Japanese musicians creating jazz unless we seek it out – although Kikuchi not only created solo piano albums and was the leader of small combos, he […]Archive
May 25, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Chris Corsano & Bill Orcutt: Made Out of Sound
Chris Corsano & Bill Orcutt Made Out of Sound Palilalia I love Bill Orcutt. He hits at the guitar in a way that makes me think of heroes like Marc Ribot and Sonny Sharrock. There’s wildness in his way – he tears at the strings and the ugly side of a beautiful melody is instantly […]Archive
May 5, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Chris Abrahams / Mark Wastell: A Thousand Sacred Ships
Chris Abrahams / Mark Wastell A Thousand Sacred Ships Confront Recordings Two great improvisers finally recording together. Back in 2018 The Necks had a European residency – so while over there and in that place pianist Chris Abrahams recorded this EP with multi-instrumentalist Mark Wastell. The British percussionist (at least on this recording) and Australian […]Archive
November 22, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: NGĀ TUONE by Riki Gooch (November 20, 2020)
Riki Gooch: NGĀ TUONE St. Peter’s on Willis, Wellington Jazz Festival Friday, November 22 I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone else that thinks about music the way Riki Gooch does. You can pile up any of the usual clichés – the music flows through him, he is a conduit for groove, he lives and […]Archive
August 30, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Thurston Moore: Spirit Counsel
Thurston Moore Spirit Counsel Daydream Library For some 40 years now Thurston Moore’s guitar has been making noise in public. Sometimes it’s in the shape of a song, other times it couldn’t seem more removed. With a band or solo, as a guest or with guests of his own – it’s a dizzying discography and […]Archive
March 7, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Laurie Anderson – Here Comes The Ocean (March 6, Wellington)
Laurie Anderson – Here Comes The Ocean MFC, Wellington Friday, March 6 Laurie Anderson was invited to the NZ Festival as one of the guest curators – that meant performances from Anderson as well, including this: her symphony of ocean-inspired songs from late husband Lou Reed and various texts and spoken word pieces of her […]Archive
July 22, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 279
Keith Jarrett, Solo Concerts: Bremen/Lausanne (1973) There’s so much Keith Jarrett out there – and more by the day as he archives swell and see release. And maybe I want it all! I certainly want lots – and was pleased to get this, not exactly rare or anything, but good timing to find this at a good […]Archive
October 11, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Brötzmann/Leigh: NZ Tour (Nov/Dec 2017)
Altmusic and the Audio Foundation are proud to present a nationwide tour of renowned saxophone/pedal steel guitar duo, Brötzmann / Leigh. Peter Brötzmann is a living legend of improvised music who has embodied the leading edge of the European avant-garde for over 50 years, challenging audiences and convention alike with a relentless intensity. On pedal […]Archive
June 13, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Wayne Shorter (June 8, Wgtn)
Wayne Shorter Opera House, Wellington Wednesday, June 8 Joining the legendary saxophonist were three virtuoso talents, the incredible Brian Blade (drums), the sublime John Patitucci (bass) and the thoughtful Danilo Perez (piano). This quartet has been performing together across the last few years as Shorter leaves his reputation as a composer to the side and […]Archive
March 21, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Uri Caine with The New Zealand String Quartet (March 20, Wgtn)
Uri Caine w/ The New Zealand String Quartet MFC Sunday, March 20 I had looked forward to this – but as soon as the show started, the pairing of Uri Caine (piano) with The New Zealand String Quartet seemed like an odd mismatch, a pointless exercise. I feel cheated too that we didn’t get one […]Archive
November 19, 2015 by Simon Sweetman