Butler plays sax that sounds natural and right, but engages at all kinds of levels.
Read MoreThe sleek sound of his guitar set off the grittier saxes with just the right balance.
Read MoreTada Seiji has spent so much time playing live, his shows seem as easy as breathing for him. Of course, he’s breathing pretty hard and fast on some of the songs...
Read MoreFrom Latin to straight-ahead jazz to Cuban dance to free jazz, to pop-like quotes and Art Tatum-like flourishes, Rubalcaba clearly felt at home to play what he felt.
Read MoreThe southern winds were blowing to bring the spring with Steve Sack's Spring Quartet.
Read MoreGleason and group worked through a striking set of energetic takes with a sense of immediacy and deep understanding of how jazz can best be experienced.
Read MoreThe quartet again and again pulled out powerful sounds from the passions and openings of the flow of possibilities.
Read MoreUnder the government of "President" Saito, the quartet took the audience on an electrifying trip to outer space through music.
Read MoreThe two one-hour sets of jazz—with no break, just a constant fluidity--provided gripping moments, gentle minimalism and a constantly improvised approach...
Read MoreBoth guitarists manage to pack in so much awareness of the full range of jazz guitar into their playing, it felt like there were more than two guitarists playing every moment.
Read MoreIn Tom Pierson’s live concert anything can happen, but one thing always happens--great music.
Read MoreWhether playing her own originals or audience-friendly standards, she delivered an accomplished, complete sense of jazz on every tune.
Read MoreA tight sextet with a sense of the classics and their own singular view of how a solid rhythm section can best work with a front line that has punch and energy.
Read MoreSinking into the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim with such talented musicians is a rare treat.
Read MoreUnlike most Japanese groups, he comes out swinging from the first beat.
Read MoreTo hear her together with Lew Tabackin in a duo at B Flat, especially with a packed-in, welcoming audience, is to hear history, but it’s also to hear great jazz.
Read MoreNakagawa’s playing was the center of the evening. His guitar style is his own, but draws on so many of the greats.
Read MoreBanda Caliente Grande is a real pleasure of a big band, whether one dances or not. Even though there were more big band lovers than dancers, that didn’t mean things were not dance-rhythm ready. They were rhythmic and then some!
Read MorePiano singer duos are matches made in jazz heaven. You can’t force them, manufacture them or produce them with demands from record company executives. They just happen magically, naturally, creatively, and humanly. Katz and Hopkins are one such duo.
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