Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three re-releases from a massive CTI Records reissue.

Writer James Gavin has produced Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker. It's a biography of the jazz trumpeter and vocalist. Baker came from Oklahoma in the 1950s to become the "prince of cool jazz" on the West Coast. His death in Amsterdam in 1988 seems to have been drug-related. Gavin provides some answers to the riddle of his death. Gavin is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and other publications.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Belly of the Sun, the new album from singer Cassandra Wilson (Blue Note records).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews an installment of the legendary Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, produced by Norman Granz. This particular show comes from Carnegie Hall in 1949, and was recently released on CD.

Through his first band, La Perfecta, labeled "the band with the crazy roaring elephants," Palmieri was credited with originating Latin jazz's trombone sound in New York during the sixties. In 1994, Palmieri's lobbying culminated in the announcement of a new Grammy Award category for Afro-Caribbean Jazz.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews The Element of Swing (Stunt) featuring drummer Ed Thigpen and saxophonist Joe Lovano.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Come Away With Me, the debut album from vocalist Norah Jones.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead Reviews gypsy Project (Dreyfus) the new CD by guitarist Bireli Lagrene.

Percussionist Jonathan Haas is a solo timpani player who has garnered international praise. He plays all styles of music, from classical to jazz and rock. Haas is the principal timpanist for the New York Chamber Symphony, the Aspen Chamber Orchestra and the EOS Ensemble. He regularly performs with numerous other orchestras worldwide. Haas also teaches percussion at the Aspen Music School and has been the director of the Peabody Conservatory Percussion Studio for 17 years. He's also the head of Sunset Records, Kettles and Company, and Gemini Music Productions.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Ornette Coleman Trio at the Golden Circle, Vols. 1 and 2 (Blue Note).