Kevin Whitehead

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead muses on the importance of swing to jazz with two new releases, "The Jelly Roll Joys," by Dave Burrell (on the Gazell label), and "Eugene (1989)" by Anthony Braxton (on the Black Saint label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue, "Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the 75th Anniversary." (on the RCA/Bluebird label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Don Byron's debut album, "Tuskegee Experiments." (on the Elektra Nonesuch label).

Used to be that big bands were the thing. Now, they're pretty much a thing of the past. But jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says he's found a couple of big bands from Boston where teachers and students are drawn to schools like the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music. He reviews "Orange Then Blue," by Funkallero, and "After Blue," by the Ken Schaphorst Big Band.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the soundtrack of the new movie "Naked Lunch."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the latest album by the Mal Waldron Trio, "Our Colline's A
Treasure."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two great solo saxophone pieces by Coleman Hawkins. The first is called "Picasso," and is based on the music of cellist Pablo Casals. The second is called "Dali."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead tells us what to get the jazz fan on your Christmas list.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Time For Love: The Best of Julie London." It's a new reissue of songs by Julie London, who was a sex-kitten singer back in the 50s and 60s. (It's on Rhino Records).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Violin Music for Restaurants" by violinist Jon Rose. In the album, Rose assumes several musical personae, among them Jo "Doc" Rosenberg, an Australian cafe violinist.