Jazz Artist Interviews (709)
Get up close and personal with your favorite jazz artists!
Sensually laced keyboards. Emotionally driven arrangements. Intellectually intense compositions, but still not tender justice to Brooklyn native pianist Leslie Pintchik. In the fall of 2004, Ambient Records ignited the fire of jazz enthusiasts with Ms. Pintchik’s So Glad To Be Here, an imaginative endeavor that allows the listener to feel the gentleness and compassion of the artist’s unique talent. This venture is a journey of sorts as you enter the mystical ambiance of the keyboa …
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"Anna is original, unique, different. She’s brave, she's modest, she’s open. She's a great musician. What she's been doing all her life is just trying to play the best notes. Trying to sound good. In that particular sense she's a lot like me and that's why I decided to work with her. Because she just cares for the music". - Pat Metheny Not surprisingly, It’s a rare thing for Metheny to endorse or to work with anyone who's not already a jazz icon or one in the making. We know the names alread …
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When you’re conducting an interview with an artist, it’s the hope of the writer that they can establish a rapport with the subject. The last things you want to hear are one-word answers and deadly silences. That’s not a problem with Everette Harp. The saxophonist supreme isn’t the least bit shy to tell you what he thinks about jazz critics, smooth jazz, and record companies. The new album All for You (A400 Music Group) was both a labor and love. After three years away, Everette Har …
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Uplifting and vibrant is this "Oasis" of rhythmic jazz. Mike Longo and Consolidated Artists Productions have put forth another extraordinary piece of musical delights to add to the jazz culture. Released in 2004, Longo and the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble capture the many faces, moods, and inner emotions of what jazz should be to the listener with such creations as The Godfather, Bag of Bones, and Lazy Afternoon. Longo is not a complex man but one with such insight and pure intensity, …
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Rebecca Martin doesn’t worry too much about fitting into any single category. She’s too busy making music, whether it’s a fresh take on old standards or writing her own original, intimate tunes. The singer-songwriter is showing that she can do both with equal grace and skill. The Maine native proved to be an innovative interpreter of jazz standards with her acclaimed 2002 release, "Middlehope." That recording drew the attention of Richard McDonnell, the founder of MAXJAZZ. He went to New Y …
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The social and political climate has changed considerably in the time between Ozomatli’s 2001 long-player Embrace the Chaos and this year’s Street Signs, but to listen to guitarist/vocalist Raul "El Bully" Pacheco explain the band’s approach to music remains the same. "This group’s existence is about freedom", Pacheco explained in a recent phone interview. "Musically and lyrically we have such a wide range of influences and styles that it’s important to find …
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The one thing that seems to be the missing link between jazz and entertainment is the one thing Josh Workman uses as a tool to melt contemporary jazz, rockabilly, blues, rock and pop into something new-- something vital and vibrant: It’s fun. "Jumpin’ at the Border," (Tetrachord Music) gives it all away and spits out a promise that guitar virtuoso Workman keeps gracefully. Although in the business for more than 25 years, "Jumpin’ at the Border" is Workman’s debut CD. The 16 tracks offer more …
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No wonder seasoned professional producer, Joel Dorn, keeps on winning those Grammy Awards-He’s experienced, he’s intuitive, and he’s comfortable with himself. It takes years for each of us to find our "self." Dorn has done that. It shows in his work and in his relatedness with others. Maybe that’s why Aces Back To Back, the Bobby Darin legacy, turned into the masterpiece Dorn hoped it would be-a collector’s item highlighting a brilliant performer whose time has come. Many biograph …
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Four gifted artists, four separate styles, but together they will always be one of the industries most flamboyant, charismatic, feel good architects of song to hit the circuit in the past three decades. Some may feel that the Manhattan Transfer had their day in the sun and may be setting for them now. How misguided these poor, unfocused evaluators are. Manhattan Transfer has rekindled new life with that indistinguishable elegance as they introduce their new project (after a four year hiatus) "Vi …
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Jazz is very much like a tree, with numerous branches reaching out, allowing it to finally define it’s identity. However, without that artiste to water and nurture it, the identity is lost and it’s existence becomes meaningless. Adam Rafferty is one of those few artistes’ who waters and nurtures growth into jazz every time he touches a string, or composes a mood a jazz guitarist/composer who interacts personally with every note and melody played within each eclectic style he chooses to liberate. …
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If the study of mythology has taught us anything, it’s that legends have the most meaning when they have an ending. Would the Norse Gods be half as glorious without the knowledge of the final Ragnorok? Would Homer’s Odyssey be the same without the eventual homecoming? This year saw the passing of one of American music’s greatest legends, Ray Charles. I had the opportunity to speak with John Burk, a Vice-President of Concord Records and co-producer of Ray’s final album, Genius Loves Com …
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With each album, Rene Marie proves herself to be one of the most daring vocalists around. She is fearless in singing about difficult situations or tackling a diverse songbook. Her newest release, "Serene Renegade," may be her most uncompromising, yet. Marie takes listeners on a journey of her life with nine original songs about herself and her family. She also includes the Beatles’ "Hard Day’s Night" and the standard "Lover Man Oh Where Can You Be" on the album. Some of the songs are joyfu …
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In the world of jazz, there are often two kinds of vocalists - the ones who sing and the ones who speak to the heart. It’s the singers who irresistibly whisper to your soul that you remember. Listen to Erin Bode and you’ll soon realize she’s someone you won’t forget. The youngest of four children, Bode grew up the average daughter of a Lutheran minister. From celebrations to funerals, music was part of everyday life. Children in the home were actively encouraged to take up lessons at …
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Saxophonist Marion Meadows has considered himself somewhat of a rebel in the past few years. He says, "I have been rebelling against contemporary jazz music becoming so homogenized. That was one of my biggest fears, not just for me, but for the integrity and the life of this genre of music. I felt it was in jeopardy of consuming itself in the mundane, because the fans themselves would not even feel challenged musically if we continue to offer them the same sound over and over again. Eventually, …
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Guitarist Norman Brown is very glad to have received a Grammy award in 2003 for the Best Pop Instrumental for his CD Just Chillin'. In 2004, George Harrison won the award posthumously for Marwa Blues, which Brown feels made his award in 2003 more important because of the voting. He says, "The Grammy’s were so fair. Everybody felt like I deserved to win. It was still competition, but it was all of us. It was myself, it was Kirk Whalum, it was Kenny G, and it was Boney James and John …
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Gerald Albright has what many artists dream of-staying power, with an attitude! Playing all the saxes: tenor, alto, soprano and baritone is only part of the magnificent picture. Albright also plays the flute, flute and electric bass. Being this versatile is quite a fete. To stay in demand across the country and around the world, year after year, is a dream most artists aspire to. A very pleasant voice answered the phone for this interview-kind of mild and smooth like the instrument Geral …
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Forever, For Always, For Luther is the project of the year, undertaken by producer Rex Rideout as his tribute of love to the world famous Luther Vandross. Crossing all boundaries musically, emotionally and culturally, as he crooned his way into the hearts and souls of listeners around the globe for more than twenty years, Luther became a household word. As if his gorgeous eyes and beautiful smile didn’t melt the people’s hearts; his voice hypnotized audiences as he sang of love …
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For over 20 years, guitarist/composer David Becker has continued to define himself as one of the best and most unique voices in contemporary jazz guitar. Combining diverse influences and a passion for the new and different, Becker's latest CD "Where's Henning?" reflects his gifts as a player and composer, and his ability to play for the present while always keeping an eye on the past and future. Joined by his brother and longtime collaborator, drummer Bruce Becker and bassist Tom Lilly, W …
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Saxophonist George Braith is an enduring product of the 1960’s Blue Note jazz team, recording three albums for the Blue Note label from 1963 to 1964 and Prestige in 1966. Currently the famous jazz label has reissued the classic George Braith double CD box set The Complete Blue Note Sessions. The inventor of the Braithophone, two different horns (straight alto and soprano) mended together by extensions, valves and connections, in essence a double horn modified stritch and saxophone with different …
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Pure, the ninth Warner Bros. album from saxophonist Boney James, is aptly named. It's pure in spirit, vision and in the grooves. Often criticized by jazz purists for his smooth, R&B-influenced vibes, James keeps right on going, producing one hit album after another. The new album, due for release in August, his first as his own producer. In the process, he co-wrote every song, played a variety of instruments and chose some excellent voices to help realize his vision: Bilal, Dwele, Ledi …
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What would you call a world famous, energetic, enthusiastic, totally engaged musical genius, who has written, played and produced for more than 25 years? You could call him Pro. Or, you could call him Ace. Or, you could call him by name-Jimmy Haslip. For some, the name Haslip is synonymous with Yellowjackets. But, for many, master bassist Haslip is a musical wonder in all phases of production, with an appetite for diversion. Stepping out of a recording session at ten o’clock in th …
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Listening to Yoko Miwa play the piano is like listening to the stars that shine at night twinkle at various decibels as they frame the celestial bodies in the evening sky with sound waves of elation and startling beauty. Yoko’s latest album Canopy of Stars, released from Polystar Jazz Library Recordings, is a kaleidoscope of gently twirling notes created by Yoko on piano and her band that consists of Scott Goulding on drums and Massimo Biolcati on bass. Born in Kobe, Japan …
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Amid the mindless self-indulgence of the music industry there is that unique flickering moment, when one brushes up against a professional jazz musician, uncontaminated and untainted from the mainstream mayhem of music. One who sets aside the self centered, self-absorbed attitudes to go forth and just make music for the love of the act, not the rewards there in. Knowing full well that the path she has undertaken would be motivated solely on her effort, Karolina Strassmayer has in fact, made her …
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"Other people can put a name on what I do", says keyboardist Hiromi Uehara. "It's just the union of what I've been listening to and what I've been learning. It has some elements of classical music, it has some rock, it has some jazz, but I don't want to give it a name." On her electrifying new release, Time Control, Hiromi explores the concept of time. The CD features long-time Hiromi bandmates drummer Martin Valihora and bassist Tony Grey, along with special guest guitarist David …
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With many contemporary and smooth jazz artists using digital technology to record their music, it's nice sometimes to go back and record with all the musicians are in the studio. Such as the case with the group Pieces of a Dream's latest effort Soul Intent. Founding duo James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon believe that some of the best and most enduring ideas come when all parties are in the same room doing their thing. So, for the first time since 1981, the two return to their original approach …
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