The new Picks in the center column concern three pianists, two alto saxophonists, one photographer and a rare Rifftides classical recommendation. … [Read more...]
Archives for October 27, 2008
Reminder Of Summer
Before summer escaped completely, I spotted this creature on an arbor vitae, displaying its magnifcence. … [Read more...]
CD: Roger Kellaway
Roger Kellaway, Live at the Jazz Standard (IPO). For the pianist's stand at the New York club, he continues his drumerless ways of recent years but, as usual, has plenty of rhythm. He is abetted by guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Jay Leonhart. Vibraharpist Stefon Harris is also aboard, … [Read more...]
CD: Grace Kelly, Lee Konitz
Grace Kelly, Lee Konitz, GracefulLee (Pazz). Alto saxophonists, one fifteen, the other eighty, on the same wavelength, enjoying one another's company. As I wrote near the time this was being recorded, Ms.Kelly is a phenomenon -- not a precociously talented child, but a complete improvising musician. … [Read more...]
CD: András Schiff
András Schiff, Ludwig van Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. VII and Vol. VIII (ECM). With" these CDs, the pianist completes his recording of the cycle of thirty-two Beethoven onatas written from 1795 to 1822. How Schiff's approach to the sonatas compares with the " Beethoven visions of Arthur … [Read more...]
DVD: Bill Evans
Bill Evans, Live '64-'75 (Jazz Icons). We see and hear the most influential jazz pianist after Bud Powell with four versions of his trio in concerts or television appearances in Scandinavia and France. In a slightly disjointed encounter, Lee Konitz is the guest on one tune. Otherwise, Evans is deep … [Read more...]
Book: William Claxton
William Claxton, Photographic Memory (Powerhouse). This generous volume has the great" photographer's pictures of a few jazz people, including shots of Chet Baker that helped make both of them famous. But" here we have full-range Claxton; portraits of personalities as varied in time and occupation … [Read more...]