Jazz
Jazz Trio's 'Pearls' Puts New-As-Can-Be Improvisations On Golden Oldies
American saxophonist Ellery Eskelin, Swiss bassist Christian Weber and German drummer Michael Griener reach back in time on their new album, improvising their way from Scott Joplin to Sweets Edison.
With 'Even Better,' Michael Formanek's Very Practical Trio Lives Up To Its Name
Though their improvising gets rowdy at times, the Very Practical Trio players don't neglect the tune when they jam. Kevin Whitehead says the ensemble's new album has a nice give and take.
Erroll Garner's 'Night At The Movies' Reissue Radiates Joy
The late jazz pianist spins out new and old melodies and cracks little musical jokes on a new series of reissues representing albums he recorded for various labels between '59 and '73.
Taylor Ho Bynum's 'Ambiguity Manifesto' Is A Playground For Jazz Improvisers
Bynum's album features nine musicians, including guitarist Mary Halvorson, a newly minted MacArthur fellow. Each improviser sings the tune — or sings around it — in their own way, in their own time.
Singer/Composer Jazzmeia Horn Is A Double Threat On 'Love & Liberation'
Horn pulls together her sundry influences — including jazz, pop, gospel and vintage Broadway — on her second album. The resulting tunes are so good, other singers are sure to try them on.
Pianist Fred Hersch Scales Up The Intimacy On 'Begin Again'
Hersch often works in small settings, either as a piano soloist, or in a duo or trio. But he amplifies his message on his latest album by teaming up with Germany's WDR Big Band.
'The Balance': Abdullah Ibrahim Is Deeply Rooted Yet Sounds Like No One Else
The latest album from the 84-year-old South African composer and pianist showcases his work as a master composer of melodic mood pieces.
Branford Marsalis Revels In Jazz's Timeless Challenges On New Album
Saxophonist Marsalis has been leading a quartet for the last 20 years, with only one personnel change; their new album, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, shows they're still going strong.