Ray Skjelbred & Jim Goodwin, Recorded Live in Port Costa (Orangapoid) A couple of years ago I wrote about the night I discovered Jim Goodwin’s cornet playing and became an instant fan: “His solos had echoes and intimations of Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Ruby Braff, Max Kaminsky and Wild … [Read more...]

Zoot Sims, In A Sentimental Mood (MVD) We see the tenor saxophonist sitting on a couch telling bassist Red Mitchell about his treasured old horn. Then the two and guitarist Rune Gustafsson play “In a Sentimental Mood.” Sims tells about Benny Goodman stealing his apple, and they play “Gone … [Read more...]

Tad Hershorn, Norman Granz, The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice (California) In his biography of the concert, recording and equal rights trailblazer, Hershorn praises Granz’s achievements as thoroughly as he examines the impresario’s notoriously abrasive manner. In the balance, Granz emerges as … [Read more...]

Bruce Babad, A Tribute to Paul Desmond (Primrose Lane). Alto saxophonist Babad approximates Desmond’s relaxation and lyricism without imitating him. From a pure sound standpoint, in the melody choruses of “Wendy,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Take Five” and other pieces associated with … [Read more...]

Miguel Zenón, Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook (Marsalis Music). When Zenón won a MacArthur “genius grant” Fellowship in 2008, he said that it would allow him to further his goal of exploring and disseminating the music of his native Puerto Rico. Alma Adentro carries forward that … [Read more...]

Rufus Reid, Hues of a Different Blue (Motéma). Noted for his power and impeccable note choices, the bassist follows up last year’s Out Front. Again his trio mates are pianist Steve Allee and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. Reid gives generous guest solo space to tenor saxophonist JD Allen, alto … [Read more...]

Gerry Mulligan, Jazz America (MVD Visual). The film’s opening alternates clips of Mulligan smiling, playing his baritone sax and speaking. That brief documentary sequence establishes the good feeling that prevails in this 1981 performance at Eric’s, a New York club. From there on, it’s all … [Read more...]

David Kastin, Nica’s Dream: The Life and Legend of the Jazz Baroness (Norton). US patrons of the arts generally fund institutions. In the tradition of European wealth, Pannonica de Koenigswarter helped individuals. She supported and befriended, among others, Charlie Parker, Art Blakey and … [Read more...]

Denny Zeitlin, Labyrinth (Sunnyside) Four of the 10 solo piano pieces are adventurous departures from previous versions of Zeitlin’s compositions, including his kaleidoscopic treatment of the title tune. His reconstructions of Richard Rodgers’ “People Will Say We’re in Love” and Wayne … [Read more...]

Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo, Songs of Mirth and Melancholy (Marsalis Music) A dozen years of togetherness in Marsalis’s quartet have bred familiarity that allows the saxophonist and the pianist to flow through one another’s thoughts. In these duets, their interactions and reactions … [Read more...]

Mark Murphy, Never Let Me Go (Jazz Paisan) In his early years, Murphy supported himself as an actor and a singer. His singing soon took precedence. His acting never stopped. The roles he inhabits are the songs he sings. His idiosyncrasies parallel those of Olivier, Brando, Guinness and Depp in … [Read more...]

Fred Anderson, 21st Century Chase (Delmark). We gave this DVD glancing reference in noting the avant-garde Chicago tenor saxophonist‘s passing in 2010. It deserves fuller mention. “Chase” refers to the tenor sax tag-team tradition in jazz. Think Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray in outer … [Read more...]

Kirk Knuffke & Jess Stacken, Orange Was The Color (Steeplechase). Balancing daring and restraint, Knuffke and Stacken address 11 of Charles Mingus’s compositions. Knuffke sets aside his trumpet in favor of cornet to intertwine, contrast and parallel his lines with Stracken’s piano. He … [Read more...]