An opinion piece from Peter Slavid, who asks critics to be more critical, and to stop giving out five stars to everything: I'm getting a bit fed up with reading all the superlative reviews from London Jazz Festival . (and most other places for that matter). Is everyone too polite to write anything other than "brilliant" ( this blog review of Branford Marsalis' concert was a notable exception...
Join us this Friday, November 20th, for an in-store Barnes and Noble interview with saxophone innovator George Garzone. Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Barnes and Noble 150 East 86th Street New York, NY 10028 About George GarzoneGeorge Garzone is a renowned saxophonist and jazz educator residing in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Garzone is a member of The Fringe, a jazz trio founded in 1972 that includes bassist...
The show isn't until March, and it's in Columbia, but it showcases two great bands who put out two really good albums this year: the Avett Brothers and the Low Anthem (above). It's a Tuesday night; tickets are $25. But it ought to be worth the drive, weather permitting. It's at the Missouri Theater Center for the Arts, which has also booked the Branford Marsalis Quartet in February. (Thanks to Chris...
Branford Marsalis Quartet (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London Jazz Festival, November 15th 2009) Branford Marsalis ' Quartet has been out on the road for a couple of months now. Last night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Marsalis was telling stories about some of the things which can go wrong on tour. Like the anecdotes which he had attempted to tell on-stage, only to find them falling flat without any English-speakers...
With a program that consistently attracts a host of wonderful performers and where living legends appear alongside rising stars, London Jazz Festival (LJF) opens at The Barbican this Friday with a spectacular celebration of 100 years of songwriting. Led by trumpeter/arranger extraordinaire Guy Barker, a 40-piece jazz orchestra and a dazzling array of stellar vocalists draw on significant anniversaries...
What's been happening to jazz? There's hardly a sharp-suited bopper to be seen in the line-up for the 17th London Jazz Festival, which begins on Friday. The great tradition is there if you want to look for it, with appearances by the veteran saxophonist Sonny Rollins and his contemporary equivalent, Branford Marsalis. But this year, such performers are in a conspicuous minority on an outrageously...
All of these shows are now sold out: Sonny Rollins at Barbican Marcus Miller at Barbican Chick Corea at Barbican (both shows) Naturally 7 at Theatre Royal Stratford East (tickets still available for shows at Royal Festival Hall and Fairfield, Croydon) Branford Marsalis at QEH Tomasz Stanko at QEH Dave Holland/Overtone Quartet at QEH Tord Gustavsen at QEH John Scofield at QEH Vijay Iyer at Purcell Room...
I asked blogger and avid gig-goer Patrick Hadfield what he had down as unmissable in the LJF. Here's his answer. Thank you, Patrick! LJF gathers together a variety of gigs, with a high concentration of international stars. These are "must see" gigs, I think, if only because I feel the need to see these stars play. But, in fact, it is only with hindsight that one finds out which gigs really...
A Rain Shadow is an area of land that has suffered desertification from proximity to mountain ranges. On the other hand, "Shadows in the Rain" is an area of music that has suffered desertification from too much tal... More »
Chicago-based drummer and composer Dana Hall has been in demand as a sideman for nearly two decades, working with major names in jazz such as Joe Henderson, Branford Marsalis, Maria Schneider, Benny Golson, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and Kenny Barron. He's also an educator, the musical director of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and--since 2006--leader of an all-star quintet featuring trumpeter Terell...
For years now Sting has been painting himself into boring adult contemporary corner and his fans have been paying the price. I suppose it's to be expected. How many once popular and truly great composers don't slide into yawning boresville as they get older? There are a few but certainly they are outnumbered. Any hope that the rather ridiculous Police reunion tour might have provided a kick in the...
David S. Ware Live in Vilnius No Business 2009 The year 2009 could be a rather big year for tenor saxophonist and improvising composer David S. Ware, and that's saying a lot. After all, Ware has long been one of the most celebrated figures in free jazz, owing not only to his work with artists like pianist {{Cecil Taylor = 4823}} and percussionists {{Andrew Cyrille = 6044}} and {{Beaver Harris = 7440}},...