New York
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
2011 JJA Jazz Awards
Details are shaping up nicely for the Jazz Awards on June 11th – Randy Weston, Wallace Roney and other top players are set to perform. Plus a special slate of “Jazz Heroes” awards. View the nominees and get your tickets!
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”
In City Arts: The Next Generation
I have an article in the jazz issue of City Arts, on the topic of maintaining careers in jazz and improvised music. My focus? Taylor Ho Bynum, Steve Lehman and Matana Roberts. Other worthy contributions in this issue from Ernest Barteldes, Kurt Gottschalk, Emilie Pons and section editor Howard Mandel.
The 2011 JJA Jazz Awards
Winners to be revealed on June 11 at City Winery. Congrats to all the nominees!
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.
Gilad Atzmon to play music, foment hate in New York
In my inbox is a notice from World Village-Harmonia Mundi: Saxophonist Gilad Atzmon “makes a rare appearance in New York City beginning May 5th and is available for interviews.” Oddly I see no gig schedule listed. In any case I won’t be interviewing Atzmon during his visit, because I’m too busy interviewing musicians who don’t claim that the Jews provoked
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