In 2015, iconic saxophonist Charles Lloyd continued his innovative trajectory into the upper spheres of jazz and the spiritual realms of wonder and beauty. He basked in a banner year that included receiving the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters honor and marking a triumphant return to Blue…
On February 26, Blue Note Records will release Shift, the assured label debut from saxophonist and composer Logan Richardson. For the momentous occasion Richardson assembled an impressive band of musical visionaries including guitarist Pat Metheny, pianist Jason Moran, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer Nasheet Waits. Born in Kansas City…
Although it is never clear what “shango” is, this set by guitarist Charlie Hunter’s quartet is quite accessible and enjoyable. Marketed as some type of new alternative jazz, the music in reality is bop-based and not that far from soul-jazz. The most unusual aspect of the set is that Hunter plays an eight-string…
Ascendant trumpeter and composer Takuya Kuroda makes his Blue Note debut with the release of Rising Son, which was produced by José James. Kuroda, who is best known for his inspired presence in James’ band, steps forth here to helm that remarkable band which features keyboardist Kris Bowers, electric bassist Solomon Dorsey, drummer Nate Smith, and…
After the stunning modern jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire delivered on the acclaimed When the Heart Emerges Glistening in 2011, he plays it anything but safe on The Imagined Savior Is Far Easier to Paint. With his working quintet — tenor saxophonist Walter Smith, drummer Justin Brown, bassist Harish Raghavan,…
Landmarks, the fourth recording by Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, marks their return to Blue Note Records, released in cooperation with the Shreveport, Louisiana based label, Mid-City Records. Brian chose to record seven of the ten compositions in his hometown of Shreveport at Blade Studios which was…
José James is one of the most fascinating singers to appear in popular music in the last decade. Over five previous recordings he’s tackled jazz standards, hip-hop, neo-soul, funk, and even Moroccan gnawa. He claims that While You Were Sleeping is a synthesis of everything he loves about music at present, citing Nirvana, Frank…
Bobby Hutcherson‘s 2014 album, Enjoy the View, finds the vibraphonist joining forces with saxophonist David Sanborn, organist/trumpeter Joey DeFrancesco, and drummer Billy Hart on a set of swinging, funky, and adventurous songs. This is Hutcherson‘s first album of studio material since 2009’s Coltrane-inspired Wise One, and follows his 2012 live album, Somewhere in the Night, which also featured DeFrancesco….
BOBBY HUTCHERSON – LINGER LANE: Ernie Watts(reeds) Bobby Hutcherson (marimba, arr) Jerry Peters(el p,arr-1) John Rowin (g) Chuck Rainey (el b), Harvey Mason (dm), Bobby Porter Hall (perc), Maxine Waters, Julia Waters, Oren Waters, Luther Waters (vo). Recorded in Idylwild, California, January 16,1975
Puss N Boots began performing in N.Y.C. nightclubs in 2008 but didn’t deliver their debut, No Fools, No Fun, until the summer of 2014 — a pretty good indication that this group was intended as something of a lark. All three musicians — Sasha Dobson, Catherine Popper, and Norah Jones — keep themselves busy with…