From the April 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — A pattern emerged when the Nicholas Payton Television Studio Orchestra played its third Saturday set at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (March 5th): “Blues for Booker Little,” a simmering, Latin-tinged opener featuring the leader on trumpet and Chelsea Baratz on tenor, gave way to “Blue,” a dissonant, shadowy piece
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in The New York City Jazz Record, April 2011: Ambrose Akinmusire, When the Heart Emerges Glistening (Blue Note) Ralph Bowen, Power Play (Posi-Tone) Adam Cruz, Milestone (Sunnyside) Alexis Cuadrado, Noneto Ibérico (BJU) Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra, Treelines (Justin Time) Terell Stafford, This Side of Strayhorn (Max Jazz)
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Instant Composers Pool Orchestra Fri.-Sun., Apr. 1-3, 8pm. $12 ($30 three-night pass). Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. 215.922.1695 www.arsnovaworkshop.org Founded in 1967, this Amsterdam-based tentet still boasts the keen, pranksterish talents of pianist Misha Mengelberg and drummer Han Bennink, the godfathers of Dutch progressive jazz. The group last came to Philly in
In the current Philadelphia Weekly: Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band Mon., Mar. 28, 8pm. $10. Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131 www.chrisjazzcafe.com Aside from being one of the most sought-after pianists in jazz, Orrin Evans is a kind of community leader and informal ambassador for the Philadelphia scene. His current project is the Captain Black Big Band, an
In case you missed the last one… Plunge, Tin Fish Tango (Immersion) MSG (Mahanthappa/Sardjoe/Guilfoyle), Tasty! (Plus Loin) Vijay Iyer with Prasanna & Nitin Mitta, Tirtha (ACT) Omar Sosa, Calma (Otá) Orrin Evans, Captain Black Big Band (Posi-Tone) Fred Hersch, Alone at the Vanguard (Palmetto)
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Archer Spade & Drew Ceccato Thu., Mar. 17, 8pm. Free. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. 215.573.3234 www.arsnovaworkshop.org Having opened for guitarist Bern Nix last month, the venturesome duo Archer Spade — trombonist Daniel Blacksberg and guitarist Nick Millevoi — returns for another mission. Blacksberg is a diligent student of improvised music, holding down klezmer gigs,
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Composer Portrait: Fieldwork Fri.-Sat., Mar. 11-13, 8pm. $12 ($30 three-night pass). Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. 215.922.1695 www.arsnovaworkshop.org Somehow the most skewed, abstract rhythms become magnetically appealing when pianist Vijay Iyer, saxophonist Steve Lehman and drummer Tyshawn Sorey gather as the experimental collective Fieldwork. In a rare three-night showcase, these formidable musicians
This review appears in the March 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — Jane Ira Bloom Wingwalker (Outline) By David R. Adler The breadth and allure of Jane Ira Bloom’s music seems to grow with every release. Wingwalker, her latest, is a fine showcase of her soprano saxophone mastery but also her compositional and bandleading wiles. Part