Matthew Snow ‘Iridescence’ Self-released facebook.com/m.snowmusic Bassists are often thought of as supporting players in jazz ensembles. And on bassist Matthew Snow’s debut album, “Iridescence,” Snow takes only one brief solo. He’s a superb musician, but the album primarily serves as a showcase for Snow’s formidable skills as a composer and arranger. While his compositions recall […]
Ron Netsky
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Harold Danko, the piano worker
It was after a gig in 1980 when drummer Billy Mintz made an off-handed suggestion to pianist Harold Danko: “What if you played an annual concert, but you did it every February 29?”
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Album review: ‘Groove du Jour’
Yes! Trio ‘Groove du Jour’ Jazz & People aarongoldberg.com Piano, bass and drums make up the standard jazz trio with countless albums in the archives. Bringing something new to this genre is no mean feat, but the Yes! Trio succeeds. It starts with stellar players. Pianist Aaron Goldberg has enhanced the music of Wynton Marsalis, […]
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JAZZ | Eastman New Jazz Ensemble with Ryan Keberle
One of the top trombonists in the New York City scene, Ryan Keberle (pictured) has played with greats like Wynton Marsalis and Ivan Lins, and in leading ensembles like the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He has also worked extensively in pop music with David Bowie, Alicia Keys, and Sufjan Stevens. His own musical vision is expressed […]
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JAZZ | Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
In 1972, seeking to know more about his musical roots, percussionist Kahil El’Zabar traveled to Africa to study at the University of Ghana. The knowledge he gained there led to such opportunities as writing arrangements for Broadway’s “The Lion King.” Over the last five decades, El’Zabar has worked with Pharoah Sanders, Cannonball Adderley, Stevie Wonder, […]
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JAZZ | Bob Sneider
No one represents the Rochester jazz scene more than guitarist Bob Sneider. He’s led the jam sessions at the Rochester International Jazz Festival for almost 20 years, sharing the stage with luminaries like Wynton Marsalis and Eric Alexander. With a style recalling Grant Green and Barney Kessel, he’s toured with Chuck Mangione and accompanied stars […]
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JAZZ | Jeff Coffin
[ REVISED SCHEDULE ] The 50th Annual Penfield Jazz Fundraiser Concerts feature three-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin. Currently a member of the Dave Matthews Band, Coffin previously spent 14 years — and won those three Grammys— as a member of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones. He’s also released 15 CDs as a leader and he […]
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JAZZ | Charles Pillow
Woodwind player Charles Pillow is a professor at the Eastman School of Music, but that doesn’t mean he’s traded the stage for academia. A top session musician, Pillow has recorded with Donald Fagan, Paul Simon, Jay-Z, and many others. On the jazz side, he’s worked with Ron Carter, Michael Brecker and John Scofield. The first […]
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Album review: ‘Play Doh’
Carmen Sandim ‘Play Doh’ Ropeadope Records carmensandim.com If the title of pianist Carmen Sandim’s new album, “Play Doh,” suggests something malleable, it couldn’t be more appropriate. Like the children’s “clay,” jazz begins with a structure, but it’s up to the individual players to shape it, often spontaneously, into myriad forms. Sandim — who began piano […]
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Album review: ‘Master Volume’
Teymur Phell ‘Master Volume’ Self-released teymurphell.com In the mid-1970s, Jaco Pastorius revolutionized the electric bass and brought it into the spotlight. Four decades later, emerging artists like Teymur Phell continue to expand the instrument’s range. On his debut album, “Master Volume,” Phell plays a six-string bass with a dexterity and fluidity more often associated with […]
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JAZZ | Ibeji Quartet
When they are not working on their advanced studies, you’ll find two Eastman School of Music doctoral students playing at The Little Theatre Café in the Ibeji Quartet. The band is named after the Yoruba word for twins because of what can only be described as a mutual admiration society. American jazz pianist Ted Perry […]
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JAZZ | Mike Kaupa & Gordon Webster
Trumpeter Mike Kaupa seems to be on every bandstand in town. One night he’s playing with Chet Catallo, the next with Annie Wells. And that’s when he’s not occupying his long-standing trumpet chair in the Dave Rivello Ensemble. When the stars have visited, Kaupa has brought his gorgeous tone to the music of Ray Charles, […]
