JazzTimes
Gerald Cleaver: a postscript
My feature article on drummer-composer-bandleader Gerald Cleaver ran in the November 2013 issue of JazzTimes — the link to the online excerpt is here. I also wrote a concluding section that didn’t make it into the magazine and wanted to share it for posterity. See below. — [Gerald] Cleaver debuted as a leader in 2001 with the moody Adjust,
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
2012 NEA Jazz Masters Concert
My report for JazzTimes here — I’m told it’ll reappear later in a print issue of the magazine, as a sidebar to a Jack DeJohnette feature.
On Michael Feinstein
My feature article on Michael Feinstein, in the December 2011 print issue of JazzTimes, is now online.
Nicholas Payton and “jazz”
Inevitably, a firestorm erupted on Twitter and Facebook after trumpeter Nicholas Payton published this post, titled “On Why Jazz Isn’t Cool Anymore.” And then this follow-up, “An Open Letter To My Dissenters.” In the second post Payton writes, “‘Jazz’ is an oppressive colonialist slave term and I want no parts [sic] of it.” This sounds similar to Fred Ho’s assessment:
On Donny McCaslin, Nicholas Payton
I’ve just gotten around to posting PDFs of my JazzTimes features on Donny McCaslin and Nicholas Payton. In other news, looking forward to end of semester, when I hope to start posting more often on this blog.
On Donny McCaslin
My feature on saxophonist Donny McCaslin, in the June 2011 issue of JazzTimes.
String Kings: Guitars at the Met
My writeup of the “Guitar Heroes” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in the new issue of JazzTimes (May 2011). I’m happy to report that Anthony Wilson’s April 10 premiere — with Julian Lage, Steve Cardenas and Chico Pinheiro — was completely amazing. There’s a live album in the works.