year in review 2008
Jazz impressions 2008
The year of Nguyên Lê: Memorably searing guitar work on Uri Caine’s The Othello Syndrome (Winter & Winter) and Vince Mendoza’s Blauklang (ACT). Not to mention Joel Harrison’s 2007 gem, Harbor (HighNote). The year of John Abercrombie: Two compelling sideman appearances with tenor saxophonists, on Adam Kolker’s Flag Day (Sunnyside) and Jerry Bergonzi’s Tenor Talk (Savant). The year of Dewey
Quality tracks, 2008
1. “Never, ever, ever” Cuong Vu, Vu-Tet (ArtistShare) 2. “Felipe” (Moacir Santos) Enrico Rava & Stefano Bollani, The Third Man (ECM) 3. “The Cat” Marcin Wasilewski Trio, January (ECM) 4. “Rich Man’s Prayer” Matthew Herbert Big Band, There’s Me and There’s You (!K7) 5. “Free for C.T.” & “Jean-Pierre” David Murray & Mal Waldron, Silence (Justin Time) 6. “Ad Mortem” E.S.T.,
Top Shows 2008
Of the nearly 200 performances I attended in 2008, here are the 25 that defined my year, in chronological order: 1. Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society North IAJE Conference, Toronto January 10 2. Orchestra 2001, Pierre Boulez’s Le marteau sans maître Swarthmore College January 27 3. PIMA Group, Look! Dance/performance art piece Powel House, Philadelphia February 3 4. Wayne Krantz
Top Ten of 2008
My ballot — with snazzy cover art this year — is now up at the website of the Jazz Journalists Association. More year-in-review posts to follow soon.