New York
Smalls live archive
There’s a substantial live audio archive at the Smalls website. You’ll want to explore at length. Myself, I began with this bruising Seamus Blake set from February 6, featuring Lage Lund and David Kikoski.
On Tom Harrell
This review appears in the May 2009 issue of All About Jazz-New York. — Tom HarrellPrana Dance (HighNote) David R. Adler Following up his 2007 HighNote effort Light On, trumpeter Tom Harrell continues to document his original compositional voice, and uncommonly tight working band, with Prana Dance. Again we hear the youthful, hungry lineup of tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, pianist
Live music in brief
In particular, back-to-back shows at Merkin Concert Hall this week: Spectral aesthetics The term “new music,” or New Music, connotes a family of sounds, a cadre of living composers, but on Tuesday, May 5 it also simply meant new. There were three U.S. premieres on the bill and one New York premiere, focusing on figures within the so-called spectral movement.
On Darcy James Argue
My review of Darcy James Argue & Secret Society, Infernal Machines, in the current Time Out New York. They’re at Galapagos on May 8.
On Scott Feiner
This review appears in the May 2009 issue of All About Jazz-New York. — Scott Feiner & Pandeiro JazzDois Mundos (Biscoito Fino) David R. Adler What has native New Yorker and former guitarist Scott Feiner been doing in Rio de Janeiro since 2001? He’s been playing the tambourine-like pandeiro, developing it as a viable jazz instrument, leading an ensemble —
Kindergarten crisis
Bassist Ben Allison and his daughter Ruby are prominently mentioned in this NY Times article about the lack of available space in public school kindergartens this fall — a situation brought on by increased construction of high-rises in Manhattan, a consequent rise in population, and apparently no plan on the part of the city to expand school capacity accordingly. Just
On Branford Marsalis
My review of Metamorphosen by the Branford Marsalis Quartet, in the current Time Out New York. Branford is at Jazz Standard May 5-10.
On the Five Peace Band
My preview of the Five Peace Band (Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Brian Blade at Rose Hall Thursday through Saturday), in the current Time Out New York.