CD reviews
On Bobby Avey
This review appears in the November 2014 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Bobby Avey Authority Melts From Me (Whirlwind) By David R. Adler Inspired by a visit to Haiti in 2012, pianist Bobby Avey sought to develop his own musical response to the voudou drumming ensembles he studied. The result is Authority Melts From Me, featuring
On Steve Cardenas
This review appears in the October December 2014 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Steve Cardenas Melody in a Dream (Sunnyside) By David R. Adler Though his output as a leader is somewhat sparse, guitarist Steve Cardenas brings a vibrancy and a shrewd air of restraint to every outing — the same qualities he’s shown as a sideman with
On Noah Garabedian
This review appears in the September 2014 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Noah Garabedian Big Butter and the Eggmen (BJU) By David R. Adler In giving his debut album the title Big Butter and the Eggmen, bassist Noah Garabedian alludes to a 1926 classic (“Big Butter and Egg Man”) by Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five — the band that
On Ingrid Laubrock
This review appears in the July 2014 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Ingrid Laubrock Octet Zürich Concert (Intakt) By David R. Adler This is an expanded ensemble effort from saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, but the players from her Sleepthief trio (pianist Liam Noble, drummer Tom Rainey) are tucked away inside the octet. The date starts on a high
On Dan Weiss
This review appears in the April 2014 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Dan Weiss Fourteen (Pi) By David R. Adler Expanding on his trio output and his marvelous tabla-inspired albums for solo drum set, drummer Dan Weiss ventures into large-scale composition with the ambitious Fourteen. The disc’s seven tracks run together without pause, and though the ensemble
On Jason Adasiewicz
This review appears (in edited form) in the January 2014 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Wheelhouse (Dave Rempis/Jason Adasiewicz/Nate McBride), Boss of the Plains (Aerophonic) Joshua Abrams Quartet, Unknown Known (Rogue Art) Rob Mazurek Octet, Skull Sessions (Cuneiform) By David R. Adler The fine avant-garde jazz of today’s Chicago is generally not piano-driven, though much of it
On John O’Gallagher
This review appears (in edited form) in the December 2013 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — John O’Gallagher The Anton Webern Project (Whirlwind) By David R. Adler In tackling the music of Austrian serialist Anton Webern (1883-1945), alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher expands on a history of jazz-classical interchange that’s as old as jazz itself. Strong recent examples include
On Kirk Knuffke
This review appears in the November 2013 issue of The New York City Jazz Record. — Kirk Knuffke Chorale (SteepleChase) By David R. Adler Cornet specialists aren’t in huge supply, but Kirk Knuffke stands out among this unique lot for his versatility and expressive depth. He’s explored Steve Lacy’s music with Ideal Bread and the Lennie Tristano legacy with Ted Brown.