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To Revive a Jazz City
My story on the Center City Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, now online at A Blog Supreme.
On Aaron Diehl
This review appears in the May 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Aaron Diehl Trio Live at the Players (ind.) By David R. Adler Pianist Aaron Diehl is a young Juilliard graduate, a scholarly devotee of Fats Waller, James P. Johnson and even earlier figures. His work on record reveals absolutely no debt to hip-hop, indie rock,
On David Bindman
This review appears in the May 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — David Bindman Ensemble Sunset Park Polyphony (ind.) By David R. Adler It takes a wealth of ideas and inspiration to fill two CDs, and saxophonist David Bindman justifies his large-canvas approach at every step on Sunset Park Polyphony. There are four substantial pieces on
New York @ Night: May 2012
From the May 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — Pianist Craig Taborn has gigged with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Gerald Cleaver for a number of years, but it took the trio all this time finally to play New York. The late Saturday set at the Village Vanguard (April 7) moved from deep abstraction and stillness to
Six Picks: May 2012
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in The New York City Jazz Record, May 2012: Andy Clausen, The Wishbone Suite (Table & Chairs) Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up, The Air Is Different (482 Music) Steve Lehman, Dialect Fluorescent (Pi) Eric Reed, The Baddest Monk (Savant) Tom Tallitsch, Heads Or Tales (Posi-Tone) Yosvany Terry, Today’s Opinion (Criss Cross)
Center City Jazz Festival: This Saturday
My Critic’s Pick about the event, in the new Philadelphia Weekly. Plenty more info here.
On Randy Napoleon
In the current issue of Philadelphia Weekly: Randy Napoleon Mon., Apr. 23, 8pm. $10. Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131 www.chrisjazzcafe.com From Randy Napoleon’s boyish appearance one might think he’s just starting out. In fact, he’s one of the more accomplished and well-rounded jazz guitarists of our day. Most know him as a supremely tasteful accompanist to singers such
Jazz Blogathon: Upper West Side, NYC
The following post is one of many being featured in the Jazz Journalists Association’s 2012 Jazz Day Blogathon, with a focus on jazz in local communities. Sometimes I tell friends that a key benefit of living on Manhattan’s Upper West Side is the ease of subway travel. A couple of blocks to the 1-2-3 train and I can zip down to