Sergej Avanesov “Secret Language” New Centropezn Music sergejavanesov.wordpress.com Growing up in Rostov-on-Don, in the south of Russia, Sergej Avanesov began playing the saxophone at the age of 9. Listening to greats like John Coltrane and Keith Jarrett, he developed a love for jazz. After studying in Russia, at the age of 17 he moved to […]
New York City Jazz
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Assorted Colors’
Spin Cycle “Assorted Colors” Sound Footing Records spincyclemusic.org There’s a moment about halfway through “Possum Dark,” the third track on Spin Cycle’s “Assorted Colors,” when you might forget you are listening to a jazz album. Saxophonist Tom Christensen, who co-leads the group with drummer Scott Neumann, wrote the tune and takes the first solo with a powerful […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Reverso — Suite Ravel’
Ryan Keberle and Frank Woeste “Reverso — Suite Ravel” Phonoart ryankeberle.bandcamp.com “Reverso — Suite Ravel,” the new album by New York City trombonist Ryan Keberle and French pianist Frank Woeste, is a decidedly contemporary take on Maurice Ravel’s musical ideas. The notion of top jazz players drawing inspiration from the music of Ravel is payback […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Diablo en Brooklyn’
Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet “Diablo en Brooklyn” Saponegro Records afroperuviansextet.com It may be titled “Diablo en Brooklyn,” but the sixth album by Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet is the group’s first CD recorded entirely in Peru. The title alludes to Alegria bringing the “Son de Los Diablos” tradition from his native country to his current home […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Gratified Never Satisfied’
Ted Chubb “Gratified Never Satisfied” Unit Records tedchubb.com In recent years, Ted Chubb has put a lot of energy into educating kids, spreading the joy of jazz in the New York City area. And the trumpeter, who has played with Christian McBride, Wallace Roney, Don Braden, and many others, practices what he preaches. His new […]
Posted inMusic
Bred in the bone
Joe Fiedler never meant to play the trombone, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the most in-demand players on the New York scene. Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1960’s and 70’s, his home life wasn’t particularly musical. His father mostly listened to singers like Roger Miller, but Fiedler’s ears perked up […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Infinite Distances’
Noah Haidu “Infinite Distances” Cellar Live noahhaidu.com After studying with Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, pianist Noah Haidu honed his skills on the jazz scenes of Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Queens. It paid off when his reputation led to work with top players like Mike Stern, Benny Golson, and Eddie Henderson. His latest album, “Infinite Distances” […]
