Listening to jazz guitarist Vic Juris play one crystal-clear post-bop solo after another, it’s hard to imagine that his love affair with the instrument began with the raucous, distorted wails of hard rock heroes. But during his teen years in Parsippany, New Jersey, in the mid to late 1960’s, Juris was enamored of the guitarists […]
Ron Netsky
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JAZZ | IFCM Collective
The Institute For Creative Music gives workshops on improvisational jazz around the country. And sometimes the members like to practice what they preach. At Lovin’ Cup, New York City pianist Gordon Webster will join the core group: Mike Kaupa (trumpet, flugelhorn), Mike Frederick (guitar), Danny Ziemann (bass), and Chris Teal (drums). Always looking forward, Kaupa […]
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JAZZ | Pat Metheny Unity Group
Over the last four decades, guitarist extraordinaire Pat Metheny has morphed through myriad incarnations. His relatively new Unity Group is capable of exploring every direction he’s pursued. The band features a jazz-world A-list, with Chris Potter on sax and bass clarinet, Antonio Sanchez on drums, and Ben Williams on bass. If that’s not enough, Metheny […]
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ALBUM REVIEW: “Blue”
Mostly Other People Do The Killing “Blue” Hot Cup Hotcuprecords.com Mostly Other People Do The Killing is a band whose name is indicative of its radical nature, so “Blue,” a new rendition of Miles Davis’ landmark 1959 album, “Kind Of Blue,” might not seem in character. But MOPDTK is not just putting its own spin […]
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JAZZ | Trio X
From his urgent, early-1970’s recordings like “Nation Time” to his cutting-edge, contemporary sound in Trio X, multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee has never stopped innovating. At the Bop Shop the master saxophonist, and sometimes trumpet player and valve trombonist, will be joined by his two equally progressive trio mates. Bassist Dominic Duval has played with Cecil Taylor, […]
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Arturo Sandoval
Maybe it was the time difference between Rochester and Los Angeles, or maybe his management made a mistake, but I knew I was calling trumpeter Arturo Sandoval a bit too early when he answered the phone in a groggy voice. He suggested calling back in 10 minutes, so I did. “I just took a Cuban […]
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JAZZ | Ravi Padmanabha’s “My Nada Brahma”
Ravi Padmanabha’s “My Nada Brahma” is not your grandfather’s Asian Indian ensemble. Okay, your grandfather may not have had an Asian Indian ensemble. But Ravi Padmanabha is a master tabla player and percussionist and when he’s joined by Ron LoCurto on guitar; Michael McNeill, harmonium; and David Adamcyzk, violin, they produce a unique brand of […]
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JAZZ | Charles Pillow
In his first concert as a member of the Eastman School of Music faculty, multi-reedist Charles Pillow will share the stage with a “Who’s Who” of Eastman jazz players. He’ll play duets with pianists Bill Dobbins, Harold Danko, and Dariusz Terefenko (on Hammond B3); he’ll perform a Brazilian Choro tune with guitarist Bob Sneider; and […]
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JAZZ | Clay Jenkins
When trumpeter Clay Jenkins takes the stage at Kilbourn Hall in the Eastman School of Music’s Faculty Artist series, he’ll be showcasing the work of the school’s Faculty Jazz Quartet with Harold Danko on piano; Jeff Campbell, bass; and Rich Thompson, drums. Jenkins — who paid his dues with Stan Kenton, Harry James, Buddy Rich, […]
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JAZZ | Eastman Jazz Café with Larry Koonse
Guitarist Larry Koonse is just as comfortable soloing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra as he is playing with jazz greats like Lee Konitz and Charlie Haden or pop stars like Rod Stewart and Linda Ronstadt. Not only will his fingers be racing over the fret board at the Eastman School of […]
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JAZZ | Dave Liebman’s Expansions
When a young saxophonist named Dave Liebman joined Miles Davis’s group in 1970, it was obvious that a star was born. More than 300 albums and myriad projects later, Liebman is reinvigorating his music with a brand new group, appropriately called Expansions. Aside from Liebman’s long-time bassist Tony Marino, the group is composed of rising […]
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JAZZ | Eastman Jazz Ensemble/Eastman New Jazz Ensemble
You can always count on a great concert from the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and the school’s New Jazz Ensemble, but this Thursday’s show should be extra strong. Highlights will include pieces by three recently departed giants. The works will include a suite by Bob Brookmeyer, New Jazz Ensemble director Dave Rivello’s mentor, and three pieces […]
