Jazz
On Alexis Cuadrado
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Alexis Cuadrado’s Noneto Ibérico Sat., Mar. 3, 8pm. $25 ($30 day of show). Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St. 215.925.9914 www.paintedbride.org A Barcelona native and longtime New Yorker, bassist Alexis Cuadrado has been documenting quality work since 2001. But he outdid himself in 2011 with Noneto Ibérico, his second for the Brooklyn Jazz Underground
Tigran, Norman David Eleventet in Philly
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Tigran Sat., Feb. 25, 8pm. $20. Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131 www.chrisjazzcafe.com A native of Armenia, pianist Tigran Hamasyan has traveled far — literally and musically — in his 24 short years. Since coming to the U.S., he’s won the prestigious Monk Competition (in 2006) and drawn deserved praise for his records World
On Denise King
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Denise King Thu., Feb. 16, 7:30pm, $10 ($5 students). Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th St. 215.517.8337 www.societyhillplayhouse.org Jazz Bridge provides for Philly jazz and blues musicians in times of need, but the vital nonprofit also makes a point of showcasing local talent. In this installment of Jazz at the Playhouse (hosted by Jazz Bridge
Nicholas Payton in Philly
The Critic’s Pick from the current issue of Philadelphia Weekly. Those brackets in the last sentence were not my idea…. Nicholas Payton Sat., Feb. 11, 8pm ($30), 10pm ($25). Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131 www.chrisjazzcafe.com Nicholas Payton, a trumpet ace since his teens, has embraced a new role as a Twitter agitator, the self-proclaimed “Creator of #BAM aka
Andrea Centazzo, Peter Paulsen (and Dave Ballou)
This review appears in the February 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — Andrea Centazzo, Moon in Winter (Ictus) Peter Paulsen Quintet, Goes Without Saying… (SquarePegWorks) By David R. Adler These two discs are worlds apart in some ways, but there’s a link to be found in the acute, versatile trumpet of Dave Ballou. Both sessions feature
On the Metta Quintet
This review appears in the February 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — Metta Quintet Big Drum/Small World (ind.) By David R. Adler An album by the Metta Quintet always begins with a premise. The group’s 2002 debut, Going to Meet the Man, was inspired by James Baldwin’s short stories. Subway Songs (2006) evoked the bustle of
On David “Fuze” Fiuczysnki
Egg on my face for not posting this in advance of last night’s show. But here it is anyway, from Philadelphia Weekly: David “Fuze” Fiuczynski Sat., Feb. 4, 8pm. $25 advance ($30 at door). Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St. 215.925.9914 www.paintedbride.org Just as Hendrix used Delta blues as a launching pad into space, double-neck guitar maniac David “Fuze”
New York @ Night: February 2012
From the February 2012 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — The term “groove-oriented” usually describes jazz of a funkier, danceable sort. But it’s not how many would categorize the maddeningly complex music of Vijay Iyer and his trio with bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Pulsing rhythm, however, has always played a significant role for Iyer,