Posts Tagged Jazz
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April 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Beasts of Burgundy
Squirrel Nut Zippers Beasts of Burgundy Southern Broadcasting Squirrel Nut Zippers – helluva band! Good band! Fun band. Expert across many styles, but always a good-time New Orleans-y swagger and stomp to the fore, and certainly that’s the case here on what is the band’s first studio album in 18 years; it’s not a reunion […]Archive
April 16, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Wynton Marsalis Septet: United We Sing
Wynton Marsalis Septet United We Sing: Best of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Galas Blue Engine Records Comprised of recordings across the years 2003 – 2007 this collection showcases the always-sublime Wynton Marsalis Septet in a range of song settings, from a lurching, soul-drenched blues-makeover of Lenny Kravitz’ Are You Gonna Go My Way (unlikely […]Archive
April 9, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Vijay Iyer Sextet: Far From Over
Vijay Iyer Sextet Far From Over ECM Vijay Iyer – versatile, prolific, consummate – here with his regular trio (though Tyshawn Sorey, powerhouse, genius, is subbing in on drums) augmented with horns (Steve Lehman and Mark Skim on saxes, Graham Haynes on trumpet) has made another stunning work. Far From Over digs deep, provides funk […]Archive
April 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
R.I.P. Cecil Taylor
Cecil Taylor has died. The legendary pianist recently celebrated his 89th birthday. What a legend. What a legacy. He took what Art Tatum started and freed it. That’s a simple description – but it’s how I’ve always heard him. Taylor – along with Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler and John Coltrane was one of the towering […]Archive
March 26, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Wellington Jazz Festival 2018: Headliners Announced
The Wellington Jazz Festival returns, 6–10 June 2018, to host an exciting line up of modern jazz greats, including six-time Grammy Award–winner and Director of the legendary Newport Jazz Festival, Christian McBride. Jazz bassist McBride, who has collaborated with heavyweights from Sting to James Brown, will bring his talented new quartet Christian McBride’s New Jawn to open the […]Archive
March 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 422
Ry Cooder, Jazz (1978) Ry Cooder made a series of albums across the 1970s – “genre” albums – he took on blues and country and the various permutations. Here it was overt – Jazz – but we’re talking old; we’re talking, too, of a time when jazz was dead or dying (the mid/late 70s). All […]Archive
March 16, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Cécile McLorin Salvant & The Aaron Diehl Trio (March 13, Wgtn)
Cécile McLorin Salvant & The Aaron Diehl Trio MFC Tuesday, March 13 This was always likely to be one of the festival highlights – Miami-born, New York-based jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant and backing band The Aaron Diehl Trio.Archive
March 14, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 424
Tom Waits, The Heart of Saturday Night (1974) I come and go with Tom Waits but in some ways this is my favourite albums of his, the most special to me might be the better way to put it. I discovered it as a CD – and it needed to be that way. You see […]Archive
March 13, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Marching To The Beat Of Their Own Drums: Short Interviews With Ari Hoenig, Anthony Donaldson and Dave Weckl
There are drummer jokes for most musical occasions but almost all of them feature a punchline mocking the drummer’s intelligence. Talk to a good player and they’ll be thoughtful and wise; focussed and passionate. I talked to three great drummers – all set to be the star of the show for a few moments or […]Archive
March 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio: Close But No Cigar
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio Close But No Cigar Colemine Records This Seattle-based trio of musicians (Lamarr on the organ, guitarist Jimmy James and drummer David McGraw) keep it greasy as they move through 60s and 70s-sounding funk, blues and groove soul-jazz amalgams. Yes, an easy, obvious reference point is Booker T & The M.G’s. And […]Archive
February 20, 2018 by Simon Sweetman