Just as the previous generation of jazz critics fell in love with Sarah Vaughan, I was smitten by Cassandra Wilson twelve bars into the opening track of her 1993 Blue Note debut, Blue Light Til ...

His remarkably facile fingerstyle-and-thumb six-string approach caused Eubanks to be touted in the early 80s as “the next Wes Mongtomery.” Several impressive albums over the next two decades showed promise, notably 1982’s The Guitarist and ...

Bassist-composer-arranger-producer Marcus Miller reveals the full scope of his talents on this live outing recorded in 2008 on the French Riviera. Joined by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic, turntablist DJ Logic, singer Raul Midon, and trumpeter Roy ...

Bird Songs, Lovano’s 22nd recording for Blue Note, is his paean to bebop icon Charlie Parker. But it’s also a tribute to the sax greats who influenced Bird, like Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, as ...

During the triumphant Return To Forever reunion tour of 2008 there was a segment of the show where electric guitar hero Al Di Meola would leave the stage, allowing Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke, and ...

Re-imagining the music of free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman, saxophonist Dave Liebman and his longstanding group explore Coleman classics from 50 years ago like “The Blessing,” “Lonely Woman,” and “Beauty is a Rare Thing” with ...

between two kindred spirits from different generations. The 80-year-old guitar legend is well known for his beautiful chord voicings, dramatic use of space, and delicate, walking-on-eggshells aesthetic (perhaps best exemplified on Undercurrent, his classic 1962 ...

Combine the grease of a Hammond B-3 organ with some chanka-chank electric guitar and crisp backbeats and what do you have? Well, Booker T & The MGs or maybe the Meters, to be sure. But ...

A masterful player with impeccable technique, flawless intonation, and warm, golden tone, Getz emulated the smooth, flowing tenor stylings of Lester Young. An inveterate swinger and fearless improviser, he was capable of standing toe-to-toe with ...

As long ago as his 1983 outing, Casa Loco, guitarist-composer-producer Khan had been hinting at this kind of infectious Latin-jazz fusion. He’s made several gestures in this direction over the years, most recently on 2006’s ...

Occasionally, Pat Metheny goes “into the cave” and emerges with some personal statement that goes against the grain of his more commercial instincts. Sometimes it’s something so uncompromising and off-putting, as in the case of ...

Miles completists may already have these recordings, which have been circulated in bootleg form for years. Culled from original state-owned television and radio sources documenting festival appearances in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden, this ...

This wryly-titled offering is the first to feature drummer Justin Faulkner, who replaced Jeff “Tain” Watts in the BMQ lineup in 2009 at age 18. This 180-gram double LP (also released on CD) is an ...

One of the joys of any Medeski Martin & Wood concert is hearing drummer Billy Martin lay down one of his signature funk grooves while his bandmates John Medeski and Chris Wood jump in with ...

The cellist-composer’s eighth album as a leader reunites him with guitar renegade and longtime collaborator Bill Frisell. They’re joined by bassist Jerome Harris and drummer Kenny Wollesen. Recorded live-to-two-track, this cornucopia of sound displays both ...