New (Young?) J*** Turks
Posted by: dsteady on 07 June 2005
I'm interested to know what's NEW out there in the world of Jazz. I've been trying to buy works by newer (and younger) jazz artists and have come up with some interesting stuff. Here are three that I'll rave about:
Brad Mehldau, Pianist/Composer -- Largo; Anything Goes; Art of the Trio vols. 1-5.
Website here
I think if you like Bill Evans's trio work you'll like this. Yet, that is not to say that it is like or derivative of him. Mehldau does the same sort of modal and thematic exploration as Evans, yet differently somehow. I think he's got a genuinely modern sound, but one that still carries recognizable (accessible?) melodic structures. His trio playing is especially good. And his longtime partners -- Larry Grenadier(b) and Jorge Rossy(d) -- are a formidable force (in this sense comparisons to Evan/LaFaro/Motian are apt).
Avishai Cohen, Bassist/Composer(trio & ensemble)-- At Home.
click here
New to me but maybe not to Chick Corea fans, with whom he's been a regular. It is, nonetheless, fresh to me and I like it a lot. The Ensemble work is stronger I think than the Trio work -- the album's a mix of the two -- and Sam Barsh who plays piano in both configurations is really a delight, not unlike, yet also different from.... Brad Mehldau. This album is really growing on me and I think fans of jazz trio from Evans to Jarrett, but who might be looking for a newer sound, should give it a try. E.S.T. fans as well might want to check this out. Also notable for Yosvany Terry's sax work and Anne Drummond's flute (this from someone who generally dislikes jazz flute).
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey-- Walking with Giants.
website
I have no idea who Jacob Fred is but the three fellows who play on this album have done him a nice honor. They are: Brian Haas -- Piano; Reed Mathis -- Bass, cello, Sitar, 12 string Guitar and something called an Octave Pedal-Induced Bass which he plays most of the time; Jason Smart -- Drums, Percussion. It's hard to tell who is the leader here, but Mathis' multi-instrumental mastery would point to him. I think fans of the more accessible John Zorn will like this. And of Cecil Taylor. And, oh hell, of Mignus and Monk too. The Octave Pedal-Induced Bass (it's name alone seems to be a statement) creates a sound that might recall Steely Dan if they had pushed ahead into a purer jazz. My only caution is to be patient with some of the title tracks ("Daily Wheatgrass Shots" "Muppet Babies get Lost at the State Fair") whose conspicuous whimsy might at first undermine the music within.
There are my three, and I welcome recommendations from others. I've really only begun this particular exploration, but am sensing there is quite alot out there that is worthy and new.
Please, resist from simple listmaking -- DISCUSS!
your in color,
daniel
ps - (Next Up: Jason Moran(piano/guitar quartet) -- "Same Mother" which I've I not had time to explore).n
Brad Mehldau, Pianist/Composer -- Largo; Anything Goes; Art of the Trio vols. 1-5.
Website here
I think if you like Bill Evans's trio work you'll like this. Yet, that is not to say that it is like or derivative of him. Mehldau does the same sort of modal and thematic exploration as Evans, yet differently somehow. I think he's got a genuinely modern sound, but one that still carries recognizable (accessible?) melodic structures. His trio playing is especially good. And his longtime partners -- Larry Grenadier(b) and Jorge Rossy(d) -- are a formidable force (in this sense comparisons to Evan/LaFaro/Motian are apt).
Avishai Cohen, Bassist/Composer(trio & ensemble)-- At Home.
click here
New to me but maybe not to Chick Corea fans, with whom he's been a regular. It is, nonetheless, fresh to me and I like it a lot. The Ensemble work is stronger I think than the Trio work -- the album's a mix of the two -- and Sam Barsh who plays piano in both configurations is really a delight, not unlike, yet also different from.... Brad Mehldau. This album is really growing on me and I think fans of jazz trio from Evans to Jarrett, but who might be looking for a newer sound, should give it a try. E.S.T. fans as well might want to check this out. Also notable for Yosvany Terry's sax work and Anne Drummond's flute (this from someone who generally dislikes jazz flute).
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey-- Walking with Giants.
website
I have no idea who Jacob Fred is but the three fellows who play on this album have done him a nice honor. They are: Brian Haas -- Piano; Reed Mathis -- Bass, cello, Sitar, 12 string Guitar and something called an Octave Pedal-Induced Bass which he plays most of the time; Jason Smart -- Drums, Percussion. It's hard to tell who is the leader here, but Mathis' multi-instrumental mastery would point to him. I think fans of the more accessible John Zorn will like this. And of Cecil Taylor. And, oh hell, of Mignus and Monk too. The Octave Pedal-Induced Bass (it's name alone seems to be a statement) creates a sound that might recall Steely Dan if they had pushed ahead into a purer jazz. My only caution is to be patient with some of the title tracks ("Daily Wheatgrass Shots" "Muppet Babies get Lost at the State Fair") whose conspicuous whimsy might at first undermine the music within.
There are my three, and I welcome recommendations from others. I've really only begun this particular exploration, but am sensing there is quite alot out there that is worthy and new.
Please, resist from simple listmaking -- DISCUSS!
your in color,
daniel
ps - (Next Up: Jason Moran(piano/guitar quartet) -- "Same Mother" which I've I not had time to explore).n
Hey, daniel, this IS a refreshing post !!!
Can't agree more to your writings on Brad Mehldau. I would add maybe that he's a maniac, a workaholic (and an ex-Junkie, which explains his other two "properties"). Seen him live with his trio, and he really works his ass off on stage. A real pleasure to listen and watch !!!
After THESE reviews, I will definitely dig into Avishai Cohen and Jacob Fred. I do have "Same Mother", and it's perfect summer music. Energetic, full of guts, phantasy and sheer rhythms. Let's see what YOU think, later...
My two cents, here (currently spinnig):
Wasilewski / Kurkiewicz / Miskiewicz (Shoot ! Those names are SO hard to write I always end up with knots in my fingers...)
As probably known, these three Polish guys have played with Tomasz Stanko, over the last few years. They are VERY young, and - fresh ! I have seen them just last week, and they were fabulous ! Their music oscillates between ethereal (?) sound patterns a la Tord Gustavsen and erruptive moments a la E.S.T. Obviously, they have learnt their European (Scandinavian / Italian / Polish) Jazz lesson, but they are in the process of finding their own way, too. A trio to watch !
Second: [em] with Wollny / Kruse / Schaefer. Another very fresh and "daring" trio that care a f**k about Jazz traditions without being too "brainy" or following the urge to use electronics come what may. All less than 30 years (I guess) old, they just don't have this ballast of 50's, 60's 70's, etc. in Jazz. Especially Wollny (who also has a duo CD out with German Jazz fossile Heinz Sauer) is the pace maker of that trio. Wonderful music !
I'd really love this thread to continue. There's SO many good relatively new musicians ! (Andy Middleton, Hiromi, Florian Ross, Marc Muellbauer, Omar Sosa, Frank Haunschild, etc. etc.) to fill this space. Getting to know new stuff here is really what the Music Room is all about.
Yipeeh !
Stefan
PS.: I still need to find a John Zorn CD I can bear without the constant urge to stick something into my ears. The only time I've seen him live, about 95 percent of the audience had left before the end of the concert. I know because I was amongst the remaining 5 percent. That's a long time ago, though...
Can't agree more to your writings on Brad Mehldau. I would add maybe that he's a maniac, a workaholic (and an ex-Junkie, which explains his other two "properties"). Seen him live with his trio, and he really works his ass off on stage. A real pleasure to listen and watch !!!
After THESE reviews, I will definitely dig into Avishai Cohen and Jacob Fred. I do have "Same Mother", and it's perfect summer music. Energetic, full of guts, phantasy and sheer rhythms. Let's see what YOU think, later...
My two cents, here (currently spinnig):
Wasilewski / Kurkiewicz / Miskiewicz (Shoot ! Those names are SO hard to write I always end up with knots in my fingers...)
As probably known, these three Polish guys have played with Tomasz Stanko, over the last few years. They are VERY young, and - fresh ! I have seen them just last week, and they were fabulous ! Their music oscillates between ethereal (?) sound patterns a la Tord Gustavsen and erruptive moments a la E.S.T. Obviously, they have learnt their European (Scandinavian / Italian / Polish) Jazz lesson, but they are in the process of finding their own way, too. A trio to watch !
Second: [em] with Wollny / Kruse / Schaefer. Another very fresh and "daring" trio that care a f**k about Jazz traditions without being too "brainy" or following the urge to use electronics come what may. All less than 30 years (I guess) old, they just don't have this ballast of 50's, 60's 70's, etc. in Jazz. Especially Wollny (who also has a duo CD out with German Jazz fossile Heinz Sauer) is the pace maker of that trio. Wonderful music !
I'd really love this thread to continue. There's SO many good relatively new musicians ! (Andy Middleton, Hiromi, Florian Ross, Marc Muellbauer, Omar Sosa, Frank Haunschild, etc. etc.) to fill this space. Getting to know new stuff here is really what the Music Room is all about.
Yipeeh !
Stefan
PS.: I still need to find a John Zorn CD I can bear without the constant urge to stick something into my ears. The only time I've seen him live, about 95 percent of the audience had left before the end of the concert. I know because I was amongst the remaining 5 percent. That's a long time ago, though...
quote:Originally posted by sjust:
I would add maybe that he's a maniac, a workaholic (and an ex-Junkie, which explains his other two "properties").[QUOTE]
I didn't know he was a junkie. Not that its surprising, as its a common enough road for his kind of talent. -- daniel
[QUOTE] PS.: I still need to find a John Zorn CD I can bear without the constant urge to stick something into my ears. The only time I've seen him live, about 95 percent of the audience had left before the end of the concert. I know because I was amongst the remaining 5 percent. That's a long time ago, though...
So far, and I've only scratched the surface of Zorn, I like the Masada stuff, "Live at Sevilla" and "Live at Middleheim" in particular. Zorn is where I really indulge the features of CD and a remote
I tend to skip through the dissonance first and get a bearing on his more melodic compositions (which are so incredible), then I'll go back and work through the crazy stuff. I discovered a website awhile back that is dedicated to Zorn, it's just one guy doing it, and on it he says you'd really have to be crazy to like everything Zorn has done. I tend to agree with that view -- Zorn's musical message seems to be a deeply pesonal one and you'd have to be his clone to follow it all.I thought I bought that W/K/M ( see, I won't even try!) CD, but can't seem to find it now. Hmm. Where's a good place to start with Tomasz Stanko?
I've listened to more of the Jason Moran and like it well enough, but wish he'd get away from the blues numbers -- nothing against the Blues, but on those tracks he just seems to be going through the paces. The rest of the album I think is very good though. I like the guitar work.
Anthony, I've yet check out the Michael Wolff, but have you heard Jim Gailoretto's Split Decision (mouthful) - "Shadow Puppets"? They're a Naim label artist, recorded by Ken Christiansen at Pro Musica (Naim dealer in Chicago). It'a good album, and one to really make the system sing.
BTW, it seems that people would rather just make their lists, no?
dan'l
quote:Anthony, I've yet check out the Michael Wolff, but have you heard Jim Gailoretto's Split Decision (mouthful) - "Shadow Puppets"? They're a Naim label artist, recorded by Ken Christiansen at Pro Musica (Naim dealer in Chicago). It'a good album, and one to really make the system sing.
I agree, Daniel, this is another fine recording by KC. I also enjoy the latest one with Lawrence Hobgood, who is a fine piano player. I saw him on one of my trips to Chicago last year at the Green Mill. He said then he was going to record that set, but he had a horn player with him who is not included on the final production.
More new stuff:
1. SF Jazz Collective: great combination of the old and new. Try the 3 CD 2004 live recording.
2. Lizz Wright vocalist with new approach. I love her version of Afro Blue
3. Rachelle Ferrell I am just getting into her music. Great voice and piano!
Suggest Indiviuality (can I be me?)
4. Jason Miles Miles to Miles, a tribute to Miles Davis, with whom he played. Reminiscent of the 70's recordings of Davis
I am really enjoying this post and the responses. It is rare that we discuss the new Jazz performers as they keep the idiom alive.
Anthony
Stefan and Daniel: Check out Dangerous Vision by Michael Wolff and Impure Thoughts. I love this one!
quote:Posted Fri 10 June 2005 08:33
quote:
1. SF Jazz Collective: great combination of the old and new. Try the 3 CD 2004 live recording.
Oh to live in the Bay area.
Huw
I know! I am over 250 miles south in Bakersfield, but I am planning weekend trips.
A few more:
1. Cyrus Chestnut More conventional style, rich and economical. One of my favorite recordings by him is Soul Food which features Gary Bartz, a wonderful saxophonist who has recorded with several greats such as McCoy Tyner, and the afore mentioned Stefon Harris.
2. Kenny Garrett Incomparable saxophone player, the closest thing to Coltrane (not Branford!!) for raw improvisation and technique. Check out Standard of Language Production credit to Marcus Miller, a great bass player in his own right.
3. Christian McBride His latest, Vertical Vision, was performed here live with his band and was captivating. I also have enjoyed Philadelphia Experiment which is a blend of Hip-hop grooves.
I could go on because there are so many underappreciated performers in Jazz. Our own Fred Simon is one of them, along with Andy Bey and Geri Allen, and her husband, Wallace Roney. I am going to check out the suggestions on this thread and look forward to other contributors suggestions. That's how discovery of great music occurs. I live in an area where there is no radio airplay for the music. I have satellite radio in my car and that is where I experience new sounds, but it is at a price and not available to everyone, which I think is a shame. I have approached our "Smooth Jazz" station's program director about playing a wider variety of music, but he thinks it is not economically feasable. He plays his program list and will not deviate from it, so the "jazz" station plays Sting, Genisis and Phil Collins from the 80's
all day long. I have always believed that exposure to new music and musicians could create a greater audience and improve sales.Anyway, I am really enjoying this thread. I hope Fred Simon will contribute from his comprehensive knowledge of the music and players. Jazz is alive and well and thirving!
Anthony
PS: I forgot to mention Gary Burton and Generations,the website, featuring some real kids who can play. I heard them at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago last fall and the bass player told me he was 21 years old, but he looked no older than my 16 year old son!! Next Generation, is my favorite and features compositions by the very fine young piano player, Vadim Neselovskyi, from the Russia, I believe. Also, if you have not heard Like Minds Burton recorded with Corea, Metheny, Haynes and Holland, you should!
Hiromi - Another Mind
Full of energy. A classical and Jazz education (with Ahmad Jamal) that has led to a power loaded style of playing piano and keyboards. Her music comes from stomach and guts, and only secondly from the brain !
cheers
Stefan
Full of energy. A classical and Jazz education (with Ahmad Jamal) that has led to a power loaded style of playing piano and keyboards. Her music comes from stomach and guts, and only secondly from the brain !
cheers
Stefan
Daniel - yes, Gustafsson; she did the Dionne Warwick tribute disc with Terrasson trio. There's also Viktoria Tolstoy (singer) and Julia Hülsmann (pianist) but I have not been that impressed by what I have heard.
Currently listening to Terry Callier, not strictly jazz but his technique puts alot of today's rising stars to shame.
The new Redman CD has not bitten me, Stefan's Wollny recommendation, however, has. Also, am enjoying single disc (edited highlights) of SF Jazz collective.
Lizz Wright was in Munich recently, regrettably I wasn't but I do buy my honey from the place she was raving about in the Jazzwise interview
Currently listening to Terry Callier, not strictly jazz but his technique puts alot of today's rising stars to shame.
The new Redman CD has not bitten me, Stefan's Wollny recommendation, however, has. Also, am enjoying single disc (edited highlights) of SF Jazz collective.
Lizz Wright was in Munich recently, regrettably I wasn't but I do buy my honey from the place she was raving about in the Jazzwise interview
Stereophile gave Greg Osby a couple of glowing reviews so my girlfriend and I checked him out at the Jazz Bakery a while back. His sound reminds me a little of the late, great Cannonball Adderly.
By the way Smiglass: the Jazz Bakery is about a mile away from us. Jealous?
By the way Smiglass: the Jazz Bakery is about a mile away from us. Jealous?
quote:Stereophile gave Greg Osby a couple of glowing reviews so my girlfriend and I checked him out at the Jazz Bakery a while back. His sound reminds me a little of the late, great Cannonball Adderly.
By the way Smiglass: the Jazz Bakery is about a mile away from us. Jealous?
Hi John,
As you know, I am!
My wife and I plan to make some trips to SF to compensate!Best Regards,
Anthony