Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has just returned from the Chicago Jazz Festival, where Swiss composer George Gruntz premiered his "Chicago Cantata."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD set featuring George Gershwin playing his own compositions. (on the British Pearl label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumptime," the first in a series of reissues of 50s singles from alto saxophonist and singer Tab Smith. (Smith originally recorded these tunes for the United label. They're being reissued by the Delmark label in Chicago).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Shadows 'N' Dreams," the new solo album by jazz pianist Dave McKenna. (It's on Concord).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new Impulse reissue of saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's album, "Let It Go." On that album Turrentine is accompanied by his wife, organist Shirley Scott.

Charlie Watts, the drummer with the Rolling Stones, has always loved the great alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. Watts just recorded a box set that pays tribute to Parker. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead is unimpressed.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead checks out new records from the bands Curlew and Doctor Nerve, which stretch the definition of jazz with the incorporation of rock attitudes, atonality, and computer-generated music.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Duke Ellington's Carnegie Hall Concerts," a new series of CD reissues that chronicle the annual performances Ellington gave during the 40s.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead concludes his look at some current jazz saxophone quartets, this time focusing on the ROVA Saxophone Quartet, which often collaborates with new music composers.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has the first of a two part review of several current saxophone quartets, a configuration that's risen in popularity lately.