Emil Viklický, Ballads And More (ARTA). Writing the other day about FrantiÅ¡ek UhlÃ" triggered a search through recently arrived CDs for the latest collection by Emil Viklický's trio. Viklický is the pianist in whose group UhlÃ" has long been the bassist. He has collaborated with his … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2008
Jimmy Giuffre
Jimmy Giuffre could play the tenor saxophone with a rhythm and blues raucousness that reflected his Texas origins. For a time in the 1950s, though, the low-register intimacy of his clarinet was one of the most identifiable sounds in jazz. Giuffre died last Thursday of complications from … [Read more...]
Review: A Quincy Jones Concert
From time to time Rifftides Washington, DC correspondent John Birchard favors us with reviews of musical events in his bailiwick. Here is his latest. JAZZ AT VOA Willis Conover Memorial Concert with a Tribute to Quincy Jones April 26, 2008 Review by John Birchard Quincy Jones is an icon, a legend. … [Read more...]
Weekend Extra: František UhlÔ
You may have heard but not seen FrantiÅ¡ek UhlÃ", the Czech bassist who works in the Emil Viklický Trio. The Rifftides staff is anticipating a copy of a new recording by UhlÃ"'s own trio, a group he has been touring with for five years. In the meantime, video of the UhlÃ" trio has shown up on … [Read more...]
CD: Hans Glawischnig
Hans Glawischnig, Panorama (Sunnyside). The bassist ranges beyond his usual Latin territory through nine imposing original compositions. Glawischnig's sidemen are his boss, alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon, pianists Chick Corea and Luis Perdomo and the noteworthy young drummers Antonio Sanchez, Marcus … [Read more...]
New Picks
In the center column under Doug's Picks you will find a new roundup of recommended listening, viewing and reading. … [Read more...]
CD: Carl Saunders/Bill Holman
Carl Saunders, The Lost Bill Holman Charts (MAMA). Holman wrote these jewels of chamber music in the early 1980s, but the commissioner put them in a closet for more than twenty years. When they came to the attention of virtuoso trumpeter Saunders, he assembled a septet to record them. And what a … [Read more...]
CD/DVD: Eric Alexander
Eric Alexander, Prime Time (High Note). In top form and with a responsive audience, the muscular tenor saxophonist and his quartet are captured in concert on CD and, in different performances, on an accompanying DVD. Like the music, the video and audio are clear and straightforward. Pianist David … [Read more...]
DVD/CD: Bud Shank
Bud Shank, Against The Tide (Jazzed Media). The main current of the DVD is superbly photographed and recorded video of a Shank quartet recording date. Interwoven with the studio session are documentary coverage of the alto saxophonist's long career and segments of Shank speaking. Pulling no punches, … [Read more...]
Book: Bob Blumenthal
Bob Blumenthal, Jazz: An Introduction To The History And Legends Behind America's Music (Collins). The critic and historian's attractive little book is a fine primer that also works as a refresher course for the experienced listener. Ushering the reader through the history and styles of the music, … [Read more...]
Streaming Zoot
The National Public Radio Jazz Profiles program about Zoot Sims is now up on NPR's web site in streaming audio. The show produced by Paul Conley and hosted by Nancy Wilson includes memories of the great saxophonist by Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Frishberg, Bill Holman, Harry Allen, Bucky Pizzarelli, … [Read more...]
Correspondence: The Spirit of Ben Webster
Rifftides reader Nina Ramos listened to Carol Sloane's newest recording, encountered something that disturbed her, and sent this message: Just finished reading your liner notes and listening to Carol Sloane's Dearest Duke. I liked it very much - except - (and am I the only one to notice?) … [Read more...]
Other Places: Jazz Profiles
In his new blog Jazz Profiles, Steve Cerrra is running a multi-part series on the late pianist Michel Petrucciani. In the current installment, Cerra discusses how during his period with Blue Note Records, Petrucciani dealt with his Bill Evans influence: To hear a very specific example of this … [Read more...]
Recent CDs: John Ellis
John Ellis, Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Hyena). Ellis's quartet makes party music infected with parade beats, gospel, tango ("Three Legged Tango In Jackson Square"), comedy ("Zydeco Clowns On The Lam") sentiment worn up, rather than on, the sleeve ("I Miss You Molly") and assorted other … [Read more...]
Recent CDs: Fresu, Galliano, Lundgren
Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren, Mare Nostrum (ACT). In the hands of three masters, another unusual combination of instruments produces music that can transport listeners into dreaminess unless they are concentrating on the depth of its inventiveness. The Italian trumpeter Fresu, the … [Read more...]
Recent CDs: Silver
Horace Silver, Live At Newport '58 (Blue Note). It is a treat to hear a newly discovered live performance by the pianist, composer and bandleader whose quintets were among the most interesting and stimulating of the so-called hard bop period. Tenor saxophonist Junior Cook and trumpeter Louis Smith … [Read more...]
Recent CDs: Caliman
Hadley Caliman, Gratitude (Origin). I wrote in Jazz Matters about Caliman in a 1979 performance with Freddie Hubbard's band: As the evening progressed, Caliman's playing took on much of the intensity and coloration of John Coltrane's work, but he is a more directly rhythmic player than Coltrane … [Read more...]
Recent CDs: Mann
Herbie Mann's Californians, (Fresh Sound). This compilation reissue contains all of the Riverside album called Great Ideas Of Western Mann plus tracks from Riverside's Blues For Tomorrow and Verve's The Golden Flute Of Herbie Mann. In all cases, Jimmy Rowles is on piano, with Buddy Clark on bass and … [Read more...]
Compatible Quotes: Herbie Mann
Music allows the great opportunity to play with people who turned you on and you love. To most jazz critics I was basically Kenny G. … [Read more...]