contemporary jazz
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Tribaljazz – Co-Founded by John Densmore of The Doors
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Doors drummer John Densmore has co-founded the group Tribaljazz, which “blends and fuses improvisational jazz, beats and world music.” The band consists of two master African drummers, an upright bass player, a multi-instrumental percussionist, a pianist, and co-founder Art Ellis on flute and saxes. With a lineup like that, you know it’s interesting music. Densmore…
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John Scofield Pays Tribute to Ray Charles with That’s What I Say
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What can I say about That’s What I Say, John Scofield’s tribute to Ray Charles? It’s fun. It’s a celebration. It’s a party with Sco, Larry Goldings, Steve Jordan, John Mayer, Dr. John, Mavis Staples, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Aaron Neville, Warren Haynes, Willie Weeks, and many more. Needless to say, there is some soul on…
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Jason Moran – Same Mother
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Jason Moran and his trio, bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits, are joined in the Bandwagon by guitarist Marvin Sewell on his new recording Same Mother. He makes an impression. It’s the thing I noticed most when I first listened to the recording. He rocks. Read more about the pianist’s latest and how it…
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Harmony & Abyss by Matthew Shipp
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While listening to Harmony and Abyss, the latest release by Matthew Shipp, the word futuristic keeps coming to mind. So if it’s “future” music, then when do we reach that future? I’m thinking we’re there now. Shipp takes a step beyond his last release, the excellent Equilibrium, and incorporates industrial sounds and free jazz. No…
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Goodbye To 2003
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Happy New Year! I wish you the best in 2004. Looking back on 2003 in modern jazz, one phrase sums is up: Trumpeters Gone Wild! It’s the year that Nicholas Payton went fusion with Sonic Trance Roy Hargrove presents Hard Groove Dave Douglas had a Freak In Russell Gunn continued his challenging of the definition…