David Adler
On Kenny Garrett
This review appears in the April 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Kenny Garrett Seeds from the Underground (Mack Avenue) By David R. Adler Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett took an electric turn on his 2008 Mack Avenue debut Sketches of MD, a live album that harked back to his ’80s apprenticeship with Miles Davis. He ventured
New York @ Night: April 2012
From the April 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — Drawing on material from his superb new Palmetto disc An Attitude for Gratitude, drummer Matt Wilson fronted his Arts and Crafts quartet in an inspired late Saturday set at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (March 3). Wilson is a funnyman in the finest Gillespie tradition, but watching him harness the
Six Picks: April 2012
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in The New York City Jazz Record, April 2012: Josh Ginsburg, Zembla Variations (BJU) Billy Hart, All Our Reasons (ECM) Brad Mehldau Trio, Ode (Nonesuch) Michael Musillami Trio + 4, Mettle (Playscape) Gregory Porter, Be Good (Motéma) Ben Wendel, Frame (Sunnyside)
Time Out of Mind
I interviewed John Pizzarelli the other day, for an upcoming feature story in JazzTimes. Among other things, we talked ’70s pop — my favorite subject — and the conversation inspired me to learn Steely Dan’s “Time Out of Mind,” a longtime fave. I’ve always been obsessed with the instrumental bridge, beginning precisely two minutes in. For some reason I couldn’t
On Frank Wess
In the new issue of Philadelphia Weekly: Frank Wess Quintet Sat., Mar. 24, 8pm. $25. Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131 www.chrisjazzcafe.com Philly saxophonists know where they’ll be this weekend: hearing 90-year-old Kansas City native Frank Wess, who made his greatest mark with Count Basie’s “New Testament” band from 1953 to 1964. With his flute — just as imposing as
Cyro Baptista, Gene Coleman: Live in Philly
In the new issue of Philadelphia Weekly: Cyro Baptista Fri., Mar. 16, 5pm. Free with museum admission. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. & the Pkwy. 215.763.8100 www.philamuseum.org Famed percussionist and São Paolo native Cyro Baptista might be 61 years old, but he’s got more punk energy than your average teen. Leading his flamboyant Beat the Donkey ensemble, he does
On Jeremy Pelt
This review appears in the March 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Jeremy Pelt Soul (HighNote) By David R. Adler If working bands are a rarity in jazz today, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt seems not to have gotten the memo. Soul is his fourth album to feature the same steady quintet lineup, with JD Allen on tenor,
On Johnathan Blake
This review appears in the March 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Johnathan Blake The Eleventh Hour (Sunnyside) By David R. Adler It’s always worth noting when a respected sideman ventures out as a leader. But debuts are sink-or-swim affairs, so what of Johnathan Blake’s The Eleventh Hour? It swims, and thanks primarily to a sideman’s