As Rifftides readers have undoubtedly noticed, it has been a long time since we posted. We are creating a new post in hopes that it will open the way to resumption of frequent reports as part of the artsjournal.com mission to keep you up to date on jazz and other matters. Pianist Denny Zeitlin’s stunning new trio album for the Sunnyside label is one that we have been hoping for weeks to call to your attention. Zeitlin's interaction with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Matt Wilson makes … [Read more...]
A Brief Hiatus
Rifftides has been unable to post for many days because of computer problems. Its proprietor, Doug Ramsey, has asked us to assure Rifftides readers that the blog will resume as soon as difficulties are resolved. … [Read more...]
Bley, Swallow, Sheppard: Life Goes On
Sometimes it takes a while to catch up. Case in point: Carla Bley's, Andy Sheppard's and Steve Swallow's Life Goes On. ECM released the album on Valentine's Day. But the Rifftides staff (blame me) somehow managed to overlook what would ordinarily have been a quick and enthusiastic response to a nifty album. Swallow is all but certifiably one of the leading bassists alive, Bley has been at the apex of jazz composition and arranging for much of her life, and the British tenor saxophonist Sheppard … [Read more...]
The New One By John Scofield And Friends
Several Rifftides readers have expressed concern that this blog has appeared infrequently of late and asked if the staff are all right. We are fine. Thank you for asking. Back to business: John Scofield brings together a pair longtime colleagues for a new collection reminding us that his range and flexibility are among the greatest of any guitarist. With drummer Bill Stewart and bassist Steve Swallow (Swallow, left, and Scofield pictured) the repertoire of Scofield's new all-star trio … [Read more...]
Recent Listening, In Brief
Michelle Lordi,'s Break Up With The Sound (Cabinet Of Wonder) runs an eclectic course from Hank Williams's heart-tugging country classic "I'm So Lonesome" to songs by Ms. Lordi herself, plus pieces by Cole Porter and members of The Beatles. It is popular, mostly American, music that maintains C&W earnestness without sliding into the heart-on-the-sleeve sentimentaility that constricts so many of today's mainstream country performances. Lebowsky and Newman's "The Wayward Wind" kept Gogi … [Read more...]
A Big Band Of Canadians
Jim Wilke (pictured above) tells us about the next program on his Jazz Northwest, and where to hear it. Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra (Hersog, front & center) photo by Robert Iannone CD Debut of Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra on Jazz Northwest, June 7 on 88.5 KNKX A rich collection of original compositions and arrangements by Daniel Hersog has just been issued on a new CD "Night Devoid of Stars" to be issued this week. Recorded in Vancouver BC, the orchestra includes some … [Read more...]
On Memorial Day, Thoughts Of A Friend
Every Memorial Day, I think of someone who became a friend under demanding circumstances. Some years, I share that thought with Rifftides readers. MEMORY OF A FRIEND First posted May 30, 2011 There is someone I think of every Memorial Day, and many other days. Cornelius Ram and I were among a collection of young men who accepted the United States Marine Corps’ bet that we weren’t tough or smart enough to wrestle commissions from it. It quickly became apparent to everyone, including the drill … [Read more...]
Frantisek Uhliř’s Welcome New Album
Some time ago, I wrote on Rifftides, "The Czech Frantisek Uhliř is one of the greatest bassists in the world. He works frequently in the trio of his countryman pianist Emil Viklicky, another great European player about whom most Americans know little. I just ran across a brief note I made when I was in Prague twelve years ago (now, more like 25 years ago), helping American economists teach market economics to Czech journalists newly released from communism." June 10, 1993: Went to Agartha … [Read more...]
Paul Desmond & His Canadians, The Complete Set At Last
Mosaic Records reports that the first release of Paul Desmond--The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings has sold out. The seven-CD set features the former Dave Brueck Quartet alto saxophonist with his prized Canadian rhythm section of guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson and drummer Jerry Fuller. Mosaic's Michael Cuscuna says that he expects the next batch of pressings to be available by the end of May. When after 17 years together the Brubeck Quartet disbanded, Desmond vacationed in the … [Read more...]
Matthew Shipp’s Piano Equation
Matthew Shipp: The Piano Equation (Tao Forms) The dictionary defines equation as "the act of making equal." In his engrossing new solo album, pianist Matthew Shipp creates eleven new pieces of music in which the equality of his powerful hands is important to the venture's success, but not as important as the fertile imagination that guides his music-making. For the past three decades, Shipp has been a formidable collaborator on recordings with Joe McPhee, Whit Dickey, Marshall Allen, David S. … [Read more...]
Lee Konitz, 1927-2020
Lee Konitz died today in a New York City hospital. He was 92. Known primarily for the individualism of his alto saxophone work, Konitz in his later years also played soprano saxophone. Using aspects of phrasing, rhythm and tonal quality adapted from the great tenor saxophonist Lester Young, Konitz in the 1940s developed into one of the most distinctive soloists in jazz. His mid-forties recordings with pianist and composer Lennie Tristano influenced dozens of musicians who wanted to develop … [Read more...]
Iverson, Harrell And The Gershwins
Perhaps a good way to buoy spirits in this dispiriting time is to call your attention to music that gives the Rifftides staff a lift...in hopes that it may do the same for you. Pianist and composer Ethan Iverson's recent collection Common Practice has moments that are helpful in that regard. Iverson put together a quartet that includes himself, bassist Ben Street, drummer Eric McPherson, and guest artist Tom Harrell at a peak of imagination and inventiveness that is stunning even by that … [Read more...]
Weekend Listening Tip
Jim Wilke sent us a weekend listening tip, illustrated: Jay Thomas photo by Daniel Sheehan Seattle Jazz Hero Jay Thomas featured on Jazz Northwest, Sunday April 12 Multi-instrumentalist Jay Thomas was named a Seattle Jazz Hero recently by the national Jazz Journalists Association, and will be featured opening this week's Jazz Northwest with a pair of pieces drawn from Jay's recent CD "High Crimes and Misdemeanors". The Jazz Journalists Association is a national organization of those … [Read more...]
Recent Listening: Ernesto Cervini’s Tetrahedron
Canadian drummer Ernesto Cervini's Tetrahedron manages to meld elements of contemporary electronica with references to developments in the six decades since John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" innovations and Ornette Coleman's free jazz turned the music in new directions. Cervini enlists electric bassist Rich Brown, the daring New York guitarist Nir Felder and alto saxophonist Luis Deniz. From the album's one standard, "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise," through five stirring tunes by Cervini and … [Read more...]
2020 Jazz Heroes: The Complete List
Each year, the Jazz Journalists Association recognizes musicians, writers, broadcasters and others who have made important contributions to the health and success of jazz in their parts of the United States. Here are the new honorees. For the list of 2020 heroes and their biographical sketches, scroll down and click on the names of the heroes who interest you. You're likely to find at least one whom you know, or know about. Ann Arbor, MI: Deanna Relyea Atlanta, GA: Gwen Redding … [Read more...]
Ellis Marsalis Is Gone
The death this week of Ellis Marsalis recalls dozens of enounters with him when he was one of New Orleans' premier jazz musicians. Long before Ellis became famous as the father of Wynton, Branford, Jason and Delfeo, he established himself as a nonpareil pianist and educator. I remember hearing the the young Marsalis when he was a key member of alto saxophonist Al Belletto's sextet in the 1960s and being spellbound by the intricacies he and Belletto wove in their performances together. Marsalis … [Read more...]
An Intriguing Trio Album
Asked about his intriguing new album, west coast trumpeter Dick Titterington talked about the project's genesis at a Christmas party gig. At their bandleaders's request, each of the musicians wrote a new composition for the occasion. Titterington says that they enjoyed one another and the resulting interplay so much that they expanded the Christmas encounter into material for an entire album. The CD has emerged on the HeavyWood label as Horn Art Works: 14 Pieces. It has plenty of … [Read more...]
Dick Titterington’s New Trio Album
Asked about his intriguing new album, west coast trumpeter Dick Titterington talked about the project's genesis during a Christmas party. Their bandleader had asked each musician to write a new composition for the occasion. Titterington says that the trio enjoyed one another and the resulting interplay so much that they expanded the Christmas encounter into material for an entire album. The CD, Horn Art Works: 14 Pieces, has emerged on the HeavyWood label at … [Read more...]
Want To Feel Better? This May Help.
Rifftides has been inactive for a few days. None of the reasons for that...thank goodness...have to do with a virus. The staff are healthy and keeping our distance from other humans, as instructed. We hope that you are doing the same. I'm not positive what music is best to share with readers and listeners as this worrisome infection sweeps the world, but I'm convinced that it must make us feel better. These two classic recordings should be a good … [Read more...]