Live Review
Reporting on live jazz from around the globe.
Willie Jones III Sextet at Jazz Alley
by Paul Rauch
Willie Jones III Sextet Jazz Alley jny:Seattle, WA April 30, 2024 Arriving early to a club performance can give one perspective on what is about to take place. On a Tuesday evening in Seattle, with but a few patrons in the club among the hustle-and-bustle of house staff preparing for the evening, the set-up on stage was a prologue of the story that was to be told over a two-hour set. In particular, the drum ...
read moreLettuce with John Scofield at SFJAZZ
by Walter Atkins
Lettuce with John Scofield SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium San Francisco, CA April 27, 2024 The popular jam band Lettuce and very special friend John Scofield, took the chill off a seriously windy evening with an exciting dance show performance at SFJAZZ Center. Lettuce's enticing brand of funk and fusion was well received by the appreciative SF Bay Area audience. This favorite jny: San Francisco music venue also featured an ongoing digital display that was clearly reminiscent ...
read moreJulian Siegel Quartet At Magy's Farm
by Ian Patterson
Julian Siegel Quartet Magy's Farm Dromara, N. Ireland April 27, 2024 Johannes Weege, co-founder of German jazz club Doubletime had traveled all the way from Hamelin. Apart from Double Time, the medieval town is famed for the story of the Pied Piper, who lured the town's children away with his hypnotic music, after the elders had failed to pay him for ridding Hamelin of its rat population. The “piper" this Saturday evening was Julian Siegel, ...
read moreBuilding Back Jazz Brick by Brick in East London
by Peter Jones
Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 26-28, 2024 The most innovative and thrilling jazz currently emerging from the UK is centred on a few grimy, narrow streets on the east side of London. The pioneering work that goes on in this elaborately-graffitied neighbourhood has, in recent years, contributed much to the creation of an identifiably “London" jazz sound, and the Brick Lane Jazz Festival was the place to hear it in all its glory.
read moreJack Kelly's Honkatonktet At Scott's Jazz Club
by Ian Patterson
Jack Kelly's Honkatonktet Scott's Jazz Club jny:Belfast, N. Ireland April 26, 2024 Who knows what sort of music Charlie Parker would have made had he lived another thirty-five years? It is tantalizing to think that he might have ventured into country music. Parker loved country music, especially Hank Williams, drawn as much by the stories as anything. In this respect, Ballyclare bassist Jack Kelly has something in common with Parker. His country-inspired quartet Honkatonktet ...
read moreCyrille Aimée And Mathis Picard At The Emelin Theatre
by Scott Lichtman
Cyrille Aimée The Emelin Theatre Mamaroneck, NYApril 18, 2024 Renowned vocalist Cyrille Aimée and pianist extraordinaire Mathis Picard performed a magnetic set at the intimate Emelin Theatre. The duo's musical sensitivity, song selection and chemistry engaged the audience from the opening notes. Pianist Mathis may be lesser known but plays with just as much individuality. In fact, his fluent technique in a blend of styles could have commanded the stage alone for the ...
read moreHiromi's Sonicwonder At SFJAZZ
by Chuck Lenatti
Hiromi's SonicwonderSFJAZZ, Miner AuditoriumSan Francisco, CAApril 14, 2024 Hiromi and her merry band of simpatico sonic warriors concluded their jny: San Francisco run at SFJAZZ's Miner Auditorium with an exhilarating jolt of electricity as they dove into their latest release, Sonicwonderland (Concord Records, 2023). The uniquely coiffed pianist wore a bright yellow dress over black tights and cute sneakers and was in perpetual motion throughout the show. “Sonic" is code for plugged in. ...
read moreGeorge Coleman at the 25th anniversary of Smoke Jazz Club
by Paul Reynolds
George Coleman Smoke Jazz Club 25th Anniversary Concert New York, NY April 12, 2024 Jazz thrives in places that rarely endure for very long. Sure, there are the longtime jazz temples--the Village Vanguard in New York, Ronnie Scott's in jny: London, Preservation Hall in jny: New Orleans--but most premier clubs are lucky to last into adulthood, at least as jazz-only venues. The rent's too damn high, the music too commercially marginal. Smoke ...
read moreJoel Frahm Trio At Scott's Jazz Club
by Ian Patterson
Joel Frahm Trio Scott's Jazz Club jny:Belfast, N. Ireland April 12, 2024 Another sold-out gig. It is not an uncommon occurrence at Scott's Jazz Club. Yet this was no ordinary occasion for Ballyhackamore's award-winning venue. For starters, the Joel Frahm Trio was in the house. Scott's Jazz Club has attracted plenty of outstanding musicians since opening its doors in 2021, but this felt like a cat-got-the-cream event. And there was an extra ...
read moreTony Miceli Quintet at Chris’ Jazz Café
by Victor L. Schermer
Tony Miceli Quintet Chris' Jazz Café Philadelphia, PA April 5, 2024 Vibraphonist Tony Miceli has a way of drawing talent around him like a magnet. Of course, it's because of his exceptional musicianship, but he also has a knack for creating interesting situations for playing. This time, he brought together four other jazz masters for a retro take on hard bop. Their virtuosity and musical imagination made the set come alive as ...
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