New York at Night
New York @ Night: August 2011
In the August 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — To this point, guitarist Rez Abbasi has focused overwhelmingly on original material, and although his work could be said to sit within the modernist mainstream of jazz, he’s spent little time in public playing standard tunes. That changed when he appeared in a trio setting with bassist Johannes
New York @ Night: July 2011
In the July 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — On Miles Okazaki’s first two recordings, Mirror (2005) and Generations (2009), the leader’s guitar wasn’t the main focus. Rather, it was part of a larger ensemble fabric woven by three saxophones, bass and drums, even vocals on the latter disc. Premiering a third volume of original music, “Figurations,”
New York @ Night: June 2011
In the June 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — From the first seconds of their show at Issue Project Room (May 5th), Starlicker sent pounding asymmetric rhythms and deft unison passages flooding into the boomy loft-like space in Gowanus. The trio’s members — cornetist Rob Mazurek, vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, drummer John Herndon (of Tortoise) — hail from
New York @ Night: May 2011
From the May 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record: — Pianist Dan Tepfer has absorbed untold wisdom through his many duo engagements with alto great Lee Konitz, but at Cornelia Street Café (April 9th) it was time for the young Tepfer to face another giant, bassist Gary Peacock. (Konitz was on hand to hear it.) “I’ll Remember April”
New York @ Night: April 2011
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
New York @ Night: March 2011
From the March 2011 issue of The New York City Jazz Record (formerly All About Jazz-New York): — When drummer Neal Smith took the stage at Miller Theatre (Feb. 5), eyes and ears were focused on the band’s pianist, Mulgrew Miller, who had recently suffered a stroke. Thankfully, Miller’s playing was undiminished, as pliant and rhythmically confident as ever. The
New York @ Night: February 2011
From the February 2011 issue of All About Jazz-New York: — Sullivan Hall was one of five venues to host Winter Jazzfest 2011, but the bookings in that room, handled by the presenting organization Revive Da Live, skewed decidedly toward a jazz/hip-hop hybrid aesthetic. That certainly didn’t mean swing was unwelcome. So on the festival’s second night (Jan. 8th), Orrin
New York @ Night: January 2011
From the January 2011 issue of All About Jazz-New York: — Having won the 2010 Thelonious Monk Competition, vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant was first to appear in the Tribeca Performing Arts Center’s annual “Monk In Motion” finalists’ showcase (Dec. 4). The Miami-born, French-American Salvant has a thing for choice old repertoire — the Bessie Smith vehicles “You’ve Got to Give