Live Review
Reporting on live jazz from around the globe.
Julian Siegel Quartet At Magy's Farm
by Ian Patterson
Julian Siegel Quartet Magy's Farm Dromara, N. Ireland April 27, 2024 Johannes Weege, co-founder of German jazz club Doubletime had traveled all the way from Hamelin. Apart from Double Time, the medieval town is famed for the story of the Pied Piper, who lured the town's children away with his hypnotic music, after the elders had failed to pay him for ridding Hamelin of its rat population. The “piper" this Saturday evening was Julian Siegel, ...
read moreBuilding Back Jazz Brick by Brick in East London
by Peter Jones
Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 26-28, 2024 The most innovative and thrilling jazz currently emerging from the UK is centred on a few grimy, narrow streets on the east side of London. The pioneering work that goes on in this elaborately-graffitied neighbourhood has, in recent years, contributed much to the creation of an identifiably “London" jazz sound, and the Brick Lane Jazz Festival was the place to hear it in all its glory.
read moreJack Kelly's Honkatonktet At Scott's Jazz Club
by Ian Patterson
Jack Kelly's Honkatonktet Scott's Jazz Club jny:Belfast, N. Ireland April 26, 2024 Who knows what sort of music Charlie Parker would have made had he lived another thirty-five years? It is tantalizing to think that he might have ventured into country music. Parker loved country music, especially Hank Williams, drawn as much by the stories as anything. In this respect, Ballyclare bassist Jack Kelly has something in common with Parker. His country-inspired quartet Honkatonktet ...
read moreCyrille Aimée And Mathis Picard At The Emelin Theatre
by Scott Lichtman
Cyrille Aimée The Emelin Theatre Mamaroneck, NYApril 18, 2024 Renowned vocalist Cyrille Aimée and pianist extraordinaire Mathis Picard performed a magnetic set at the intimate Emelin Theatre. The duo's musical sensitivity, song selection and chemistry engaged the audience from the opening notes. Pianist Mathis may be lesser known but plays with just as much individuality. In fact, his fluent technique in a blend of styles could have commanded the stage alone for the ...
read moreHiromi's Sonicwonder At SFJAZZ
by Chuck Lenatti
Hiromi's SonicwonderSFJAZZ, Miner AuditoriumSan Francisco, CAApril 14, 2024 Hiromi and her merry band of simpatico sonic warriors concluded their jny: San Francisco run at SFJAZZ's Miner Auditorium with an exhilarating jolt of electricity as they dove into their latest release, Sonicwonderland (Concord Records, 2023). The uniquely coiffed pianist wore a bright yellow dress over black tights and cute sneakers and was in perpetual motion throughout the show. “Sonic" is code for plugged in. ...
read moreGeorge Coleman at the 25th anniversary of Smoke Jazz Club
by Paul Reynolds
George Coleman Smoke Jazz Club 25th Anniversary Concert New York, NY April 12, 2024 Jazz thrives in places that rarely endure for very long. Sure, there are the longtime jazz temples--the Village Vanguard in New York, Ronnie Scott's in jny: London, Preservation Hall in jny: New Orleans--but most premier clubs are lucky to last into adulthood, at least as jazz-only venues. The rent's too damn high, the music too commercially marginal. Smoke ...
read moreJoel Frahm Trio At Scott's Jazz Club
by Ian Patterson
Joel Frahm Trio Scott's Jazz Club jny:Belfast, N. Ireland April 12, 2024 Another sold-out gig. It is not an uncommon occurrence at Scott's Jazz Club. Yet this was no ordinary occasion for Ballyhackamore's award-winning venue. For starters, the Joel Frahm Trio was in the house. Scott's Jazz Club has attracted plenty of outstanding musicians since opening its doors in 2021, but this felt like a cat-got-the-cream event. And there was an extra ...
read moreTony Miceli Quintet at Chris’ Jazz Café
by Victor L. Schermer
Tony Miceli Quintet Chris' Jazz Café Philadelphia, PA April 5, 2024 Vibraphonist Tony Miceli has a way of drawing talent around him like a magnet. Of course, it's because of his exceptional musicianship, but he also has a knack for creating interesting situations for playing. This time, he brought together four other jazz masters for a retro take on hard bop. Their virtuosity and musical imagination made the set come alive as ...
read morePat Metheny at the Kaufmann Concert Hall
by Chris DeRosa
Pat Metheny Kaufmann Concert Hall (The 92nd Street Y) Pat Metheny's “Dream Box Tour" New York, NYApril 7, 2024 Hello, my name is Chris DeRosa and this is what I heard... Pat Metheny has been at the forefront of jazz guitar for more than 40 years. His career started way back in his University of Miami days (1972), first as a student performing with the famed Concert Jazz Band (CJB) and then ...
read moreBob Weir and Others at the Jazz Foundation of America Gala Concert at the Apollo Theater
by Paul Reynolds
Bob Weir, Marshall Allen, Jazzmeia Horn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, et al.The Apollo Theater Jazz Federation of America Gala New York, NY March 28, 2024 At gala concerts for worthy groups, it's understandably easy for the music to play second fiddle to the organization itself--and the desire to support it. But ,carefully curated, these events can yield memorable and unique performances and other moments. So it was last Friday at the Apollo ...
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