Tradition And Innovation
World of Jazz 698
The roots of Jazz are firmly embedded in African culture. From that tradition the music has expanded and been absorbed by other cultures and countries. From its’ birth in the USA the music has grown to embrace the world and in doing so has developed in new and exciting ways. This show features all new innovative releases from predominantly the States but also taking in European, Asian and Latin American musicians.
SHOW AUDIO
PLAYLIST
Show Intro 00:00
Jeff Coffin “Here We Go” from Only The Horizon (Ear Up Records) 00:28
Giovanni Guidi, James Brandon Lewis, Thomas Morgan, João Lobo Luigi “The Boy Who Lost His Name” from A New Day (ECM) 08:38
Brian Landrus “Warm Valley” from Plays Ellington and Strayhorn (Palmetto/Blueland) 15:54
Doug Wilde “Blue Sky Day” from The Sixth Dimension (Self Released) 22:42
Ed Neumeister “Okay For Now” from Covers (MeisteroMusic Records) 28:29
Jim Clouse Quartet “Angel of Truth” from Taking Shape (Park West Records) 36:10
Jordina Miller & Barry Guy “Part V” from Live In Munich (ECM) 51:29
New Moon “New Moon” from New Moon (Robalo Music) 1:02:21
Norma Winstone & Kit Downes “Nocturne” from Outpost of Dreams (ECM) 1:10:51
Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra “Melting Arctic” from OR (BJUR Records) 1:15:44
Andrew Barker, William Parker, Jon Irabagon “Bakanuwa” from Bakunawa (Out Of Your Head Records) 1:23:07
Monika Herzig’s Sheroes “All In Good Time” from All In Good Time (ZOHO) 1:37:21
BassDrumBone “Bright Wabash” from Afternoon (Auricle Records) 1:43:20
Julius Rodriguez “Funmi's Groove” from Evergreen (Verve) 1:48:39
Nick Adema “Oak” from Urban Chaos (ZenneZ Records) 1:55:04
Jesus Molina “Selah” from Selah (Dynamo Productions) 1:57:10
SHOW NOTES
Jeff Coffin - Ear Up Records release on July 19, 2024 of the star-studded new album from renowned saxophonist, composer, and educator Jeff Coffin . This highly anticipated collection of original compositions showcases Coffin’s extraordinary compositional vision and arranging prowess, blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary composition. Only The Horizon features Coffin on saxes, clarinets, flutes, and other assorted instruments alongside the West African group Yeli Ensemble, and includes an appearance by some legendary musicians from Charleston, South Carolina who embrace the Gullah Geechee tradition. The Gullah are a subgroup of the African American ethnic group, who predominantly live in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida within the coastal plain and the Sea Islands. Their language and culture have preserved a significant influence of Africanisms as a result of their historical geographic isolation and the community's relation to their shared history and identity.. This confluence of tradition and innovation prominently features over 40 iconic musicians on a fantastic album. On the featured track Jeff Coffin - electro sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, bass clarinet, Daru Jones - drums, Victor Wooten - bass, Leo Genovese - fender rhodes, Rashawn Ross - trumpet melody, Rod McGaha - trumpet solo, Ibrahima ‘Ibro” Dioubate - kinkini, dundun, samban, djembe
Giovanni Guidi, James Brandon Lewis, Thomas Morgan, João Lobo - Rekindling the familiarly flowing interplay with Thomas Morgan and João Lobo – the trio’s musical partnership goes back over a decade at this point – on A New Day Italian pianist Giovanni Guidi expands the group with the introduction of American saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, who makes his ECM debut here. Not only is the ensemble scope widened new dialects and fresh perspectives are broached, and different instrumental paths taken, inspired by an overall heightened sense of communication and Lewis’s unmistakable, confident tone. On the opportunity to include the saxophonist in his band, Giovanni explains that his conversations with Brandon Lewis go back many years and that witnessing him live led Guidi “to believe that with James, the group dialogue could develop towards more abstract, open and improvisational approaches. In a way it was quite the gamble, as we come from very different paths, but the session for A New Day proved us right: the trio is pushed into new territories, while James – in my view – finds a very unique and interesting way to connect with us. It was a sincere journey of discovery.“
Brian Landrus - Duke Ellington famously professed that when composing for his revered orchestra he wrote for the individual players, not for their instruments. For his new album celebrating the timeless music of Ellington and his frequent composing partner Billy Strayhorn, low woodwind specialist Brian Landrus essentially reversed that concept. In order to find his own personal interpretation of the works of Ellington and Strayhorn, Landrus created a virtual orchestra composed of the musician he knows better than any other – himself. The album features Landrus on a full spectrum of instruments: baritone and bass saxophones, bass and contra alto clarinets, piccolo, and C, alto and bass flutes. With Grammy-winning engineer and producer John Kilgore, he layers his multi-hued voices into a rich and distinctive orchestral sound that harkens to the lush timbres of the classic Ellington Orchestra while displaying an evocative sonic hue all his own. That tonality is given a brilliant foundation by the stellar rhythm section that Landrus has assembled for the occasion: guitarist Dave Stryker, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Billy Hart.
Doug Wilde - What happens when a composer with a keen sense of melody creates music with an unconventional tonal system? Keyboardist and composer Doug Wilde has a long history of creating memorable and unique music, often seamlessly incorporating complex harmonic and rhythmic material - most notably with Manteca. Music created for his new recording The Sixth Dimension goes one step further taking us into a harmonic world that has rarely been used in a jazz context. The music on this recording was created using six-note scales – also known as hexachords. A different six-note scale was selected for each of the ten pieces on this recording. Except for the improvised solos, no other harmonic material was used. In this realm, the seven note collection from which we derive major and minor scales and the modes has been abandoned. Wilde’s intent is not necessarily to write atonal or dissonant music but rather to use imposed limitations to inspire new directions – to redirect creativity! Jazz is a musical language that has always been in flux, eager to fuse with, or borrow from, other traditions. The ten compositions on this recording are melodic, mysterious, beautiful and utterly unique. Because Wilde has spent a good part of his musical life creating music to enhance visuals and/or the spoken word, his music is often evocative, picturesque, and scenic. Each of these pieces opens the door to a different harmonic world – worlds that sound both familiar and extraordinary. While this latest project The Sixth Dimension is without a doubt something completely different, you can still hear Wilde’s elegant craft throughout. The technique does not get in the way of the music. The Sixth Dimension further solidifies Wilde’s reputation as one of Canada’s most intriguing jazz composers.
Ed Neumeister - Trombonist/composer/arranger/educator Neumeister is an artist operating at the forefront of creative music for more than forty years, with more than a dozen compelling releases under his own name , and countless collaborations. He continues to create thought-provoking music for curious ears; music that challenges, inspires and delights. Neumeister’s New release, Covers, takes the listener on a trip through familiar tunes that resonated from his youth – five by the Beatles, two by Led Zeppelin, one made famous by Otis Redding and another just hatched only a few years ago by Taylor Swift. His core band features Gary Versace on piano, organ/accordion, Drew Gress on bass and Tom Rainey on drums, and is augmented by the “Covers Horn Section” of Billy Drewes, Caroline Davis and Ingrid Laubrock. Bassist Cameron Brown appears on three tunes as well.
Jim Clouse Quartet - Park West Records deliver the release of "Taking Shape," a ground-breaking free jazz album by the Jim Clouse Quartet. This project marks a significant milestone in the careers of four remarkable musicians: Jim Clouse (saxophone), Ivo Perelman (saxophone), William Parker (bass), and Patrick Golden (drums) and with album art by artist Seth Indigo Carnes. "Taking Shape" is more than just an album; it's the realization of a long-held dream to bring together a unique musical ensemble. Although Jim Clouse had the pleasure of performing with each member in different configurations, this is the first time they united as a quartet, creating an experience that surpasses imagination. Patrick Golden and Jim Clouse have been recording duos and trios, exploring the depths of their musical synergy. Meanwhile, Ivo Perelman and William Parker have been collaborating at Park West Studios, contributing to a myriad of creative music projects. Their exceptional talent and the inspiration drawn from their performances made this recording inevitable. The album begins with Ivo's captivating introduction, setting the stage for a distinctive musical dialogue. From that moment, each track unfolds as a unique conversation, showcasing this quartet's collective creativity and shared passion for music. "Taking Shape" is a testament to the power of collaboration and the boundless possibilities of free jazz. Each member of the Jim Clouse Quartet brings a wealth of experience and an individual voice that, when combined, creates a truly unique and dynamic sound. This album is an invitation to join them on a journey of musical exploration and discovery.
Jordina Miller & Barry Guy - This concert recording from Munich’s Schwere Reiter performance space features improvisation with an expanded palette of possibilities. “To work with these colours is a great challenge and joy!” says bassist Barry Guy of the glowing and ever-changing tints, timbres and tones radiating from Jordina Millà’s freely associative piano. Like Guy, Millà is both a player of prodigious technical capacity and a fearless improvisational explorer, and her highly creative use of the piano interior opens up new sonic territory, to fascinating result.
New Moon - One of the benefits of getting “older” is knowing someone long enough that you truly “get” one another—beyond love, respect, and even a natural conversational shorthand. Nathan Blehar and Andre Matos met and began making music together at a pivotal time in their lives and musical development, resulting in a common ground, a bond, a space from which they create and converse. No longer kids, these improvising composers are at the height of their powers. The music unfolds so naturally that I had to ask Andre if anything was written down beforehand. “Time Capsule,” for example, opens with such a memorable melody and mood that it’s hard to believe that at least a discussion didn’t take place before the performance. I was truly surprised to find out that, no, in fact, this is 100% improvised music. Andre and Nathan's music is spacious, beautiful, playful, and ethereal. It is unplanned yet sure of itself - like a conversation between good friends.
Norma Winstone & Kit Downes - Outpost of Dreams introduces a new duo. Norma Winstone, as always quietly innovative as jazz singer and lyricist, brings her vocal subtlety and poetic sensibility to new pieces by Kit Downes, and to compositions by Carla Bley, Ralph Towner, and John Taylor. The program is completed with fresh perspectives on two traditional tunes, “Black Is The Colour” and “Rowing Home.” Throughout Downes offers elegantly phrased accompaniment and adventurous interjections. Outpost of Dreams was recorded in Udine in April 2023.
Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra - From the opening notes of OR, composer Tracy Yang spreads her wings and flies high and fast. She asserts her brilliance and rightfully declares that she (an award and grant-winning artist) can dazzle you with a singular musical alloy of emotional resonance and intellectual depth. Produced by Yang and Darcy James Argue, and featuring a powerhouse ensemble of first-call NYC artists, OR will be released on August 23, 2024 on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records. Tracy Yang, originally from Taiwan, has established herself as a composer, musician, and cross-disciplinary artist in NYC over the past decade. Recognized with the Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, she's also been honored with grants from respected institutions like New Music USA, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Pathways to Jazz. She has collaborated with esteemed ensembles such as The Army Jazz Ambassadors, BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, SWOJO (Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra), and the Taipei Jazz Orchestra. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Yang's expertise extends to the dance world, where she collaborates with renowned dance institutions, counting among them Martha Graham, ABT, Paul Taylor, Limón, Mark Morris and Juilliard School, to name a few. To pursue music, Yang not only left her home country, but also left behind her beloved field of medicine. She followed her heart and embarked on her pursuit of becoming a jazz composer. The compositions on OR are the result of Yang putting together the puzzle of her existence, her dreams, her journeys and experiences; no less than her very life and being is reflected, redefined, and re-patched into images, feelings, and inner-thoughts expressed in music.
Andrew Barker, with William Parker, Jon Irabagon - a preview of the forthcoming release which is out August 30, 2024 and was recorded by Andrew Barker January 3rd, 2022 at Phantom Ear Studio, Brooklyn, NY. Andrew Barker - drums, percussion, William Parker - Bass, b flat pocket tuba, gralla and Jon Irabagon - tenor saxophone, sopranino saxophone
Monika Herzig’s Sheroes - This fourth project under the banner Sheroes, an all-female band spearheaded by pianist, prolific composer and arranger Monika Herzig and produced by jazz legend Lenny White is simultaneously a celebration of the group’s 10th anniversary and a salute to their perseverance. Together their chemistry is undeniable, as they skillfully navigate the challenging originals by Herzig and Schwarz — and one surprising cover — while delivering impassioned improvisations along the way. The musicians are Jamie Baum (Flutes), Reut Regev (Trombone), Camille Thurman (Tenor Saxophone, Vocals), Monika Herzig (Piano, Fender Rhodes), Leni Stern (Guitar), Gina Schwarz (Bass), Rosa Avila (Drums)
BassDrumBone - This new recording (BDB's 11th release) marks the 47th year this collective trio carries on with its musical evolution. The music was recorded almost exactly one year prior in Astoria Queens, NYC in 2023. The recording contains different content to prior releases, by offering three extended open improvisations in addition to BassDrumBone’s tradition of including new compositions, one from each member of the trio. It was released June 24, 2024. The musicians are Mark Helias - Bass, Gerry Hemingway - Drum, and Ray Anderson - Bone
Julius Rodriguez - You can find Julius Rodriguez in many places. You could walk into a packed jazz haunt and bear witness to him behind the piano with energy practically surging from his fingers through the room. You might scroll up on social media and catch him alternating from drums to bass to guitar at the speed of a jump cut. You may also step onto festival grounds and see him on stage either solo or accompanying another likeminded visionary, jamming like his life depends on it. No matter where, the New York-born and Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer electrifies any lane. By doing so, he also transcends perceived boundaries between genres and styles, redefining the music to mirror his own fluid creative inclinations and delivering a sound that’s solely his alone. Following widespread applause from The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and more, collaborations with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to A$AP Rocky, and tens of millions of streams, he grows in as many directions as possible on his second full-length offering, on Verve Records.
Nick Adema - Oak, a single from Canadian-born, Amsterdam-based trombonist/composer Nick Adema's ambitious new album Urban Chaos, released July 5, 2024 via ZenneZ Records. The full album, which will be out October 4, 2024, explores the turmoil of life and loss. Adema put together the music for the album while adjusting to his move from Ottawa, Canada to Amsterdam in the wake of mother's passing in late 2022. Urban Chaos showcases the scope and breadth of Adema’s compositional imagination. The album’s core quartet – Adema, pianist Joy Shechter, bassist Azubike Onwuka and drummer Chen Har-Even – are supplemented through much of the album by special guest Noah Preminger on tenor, with the addition at different moments of a string quartet, vocalist Liva Dumpe, guitarist Ante Medic, alto saxophonist Micheal Murray and the leader’s own expansive use of electronic processing for his trombone.
Jesus Molina - A world-class jazz pianist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and successful online piano tutor, 27-year-old Jesus Molina is a one-man force of nature, a Berklee College of Music grad and Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation award winner who has already carved out an impressive career. His brand-new instrumental album Selah – a blessing meaning “praise” or “lift up” – perfectly captures his spiritual approach to music; featuring Molina on piano and soprano saxophone, fronting a trio including bassist Guy Bernfeld and drummer Cain Daniel, two fellow Berklee alumni. Selah was released via Argentine/Mexican musician Noel Schajris’ independent label Dynamo Productions.
