Author's posts
The Power Trios of Wolff, Clark and Egan – Bob Stewart
When two of the best musicians around, Michael Wolf and Mike Clark, combine their talents to create a band without boundaries, the result is “The Wolff & Clark Expedition.” Pianist Wolff has performed and recorded with several jazz legends, including Nat and Cannonball Adderly and Sonny Rollins, and was exposed to a mass audience as …
Lloyd/Moran Duo; Hiromi Explores Inner Voices – Bob Stewart
“Hagar’s Song” — the newest release from Charles Lloyd — is an interactive duo recording with Jason Moran, the star pianist who has been a key member of Lloyd’s latter-day quartet. The CD is a collection of intimacy and homage featuring pieces especially dear to Lloyd, ranging from compositions by Strayhorn, Ellington and Gershwin to …
Matta’s Black Orpheus; Goode’s Other Side – Bob Stewart
When Nilson Matta was a young child in his native Brazil, his father brought home an LP of the music from the play Orfeu da Conceicao by the playwright Vinicius de Moraes, which retells the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice in the then-contemporary setting of Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. Matta was entranced by …
Marsalis Vibes; New Pelt Ensemble – Bob Stewart
Fresh from touring with acclaimed banjoist Bela Fleck and pianist Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis returns to his role as band leader and vibraphonist extraordinaire on “A World of Mallets.” The youngest member of the Marsalis family has an established reputation a one of today’s most talented jazz percussionists. As the All Music Guide says, “Just …
Sax and Violins – Bob Stewart
Saxophonist Chris Potter, who has been featured on several ECM albums by his mentor Dave Holland as well as a collaboration with Paul Motian and Jason Moran, makes his ECM debut as a leader with “The Sirens.” The disc features a cycle of original compositions by Potter inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey. “I’d re-read The …
Shorter Returns to Blue Note; New Work from Green – Bob Stewart
Legendary saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter makes his triumphant return to Blue Note Records after 43 years with the release of “Without a Net” — joined by his long-running quartet featuring pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade. Shorter first recorded for Blue Note in 1959 as the precocious 26-year-old tenor saxophonist …
Corridor Jazz Project Cover Art Winner!
Jingyu “Lucy” Liu, a sophomore at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, has been chosen as the winner of the Corridor Jazz Project CD Cover design. Liu will receive a $100 cash prize from KCCK-FM and her design will adorn the cover of the “The Corridor Jazz Project VI”, a compilation of recordings from the …
Money Jungle Redux; Organissimo Dedicated – Bob Stewart
In 1962, Duke Ellington recorded a trio date with bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Max Roach that is today considered one of the pivotal jazz recordings of the ’60s. The resulting disc was, among other things, a commentary on the perennial tug-of-war between art and commerce. In some ways, the songs were intended as a …