Just about every pianist I’ve seen at Hatch Hall over the years has been excellent, but Eldar is in a class by himself. He’s the Vladimir Horowitz of jazz, or for the younger generation, let’s say Lang Lang. The point is, Eldar is one of the world’s greatest pianists — and we had him all […]
XRIJF 2016
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Jazz Fest 2016, Day 4: Ron reviews Lizz Wright, Moscow Jazz Orchestra, and Mika Pohjola
Lizz Wright had the sold-out Harro East Ballroom crowd in the palm of her hand Monday night. Maybe it was because, with the room’s large windows, there is no way to turn the house lights off while it’s still light outside. She could see the audience, so Wright engaged with it throughout her show. She […]
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Jazz Fest 2016, Day 3: Frank reviews John Abercrombie, The Majestics, Madeleine McQueen, and Charles Ruggiero
Okay, so I’m paraphrasing here, but my “what for,” “why is,” and “when by” of jazz was serendipitously solved by guitarist John Abercrombie. During his 10 p.m. slot to a packed and lively crowd at the Montage Music Hall, he said, “I don’t like to know where I’m going. That’s why I play jazz.” But […]
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Jazz Fest 2016, Day 2: Ron reviews Makoto Ozone and Tommy Smith, Jon Ballantyne, and Phil Robson Trio
About three-quarters of the way through their energetic set at Kilbourn Hall, Tommy Smith aimed his tenor saxophone right into the open lid of Makoto Ozone’s grand piano. The sounds that came out for the next several minutes were magical. Smith, who had a gorgeous tone and a voluminous dynamic range, played clusters of notes […]
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Jazz Fest 2016, Day 2: Frank reviews Kandace Springs, misses Erykah Badu, and makes it to Junior Brown
I said it was all about Junior Brown, and that’s precisely how things rolled out for day two of the Jazz Fest. Weather-wise it was the kind of conditions that weathermen take credit for. And inside, it threatened to get hot since the buzz was buzzin’ for Nashville’s super-afroed lady at the keys, Kandace Springs. […]
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Jazz Fest 2016, Day 1: Frank reviews Grace Potter, Fitz and The Tantrums, and Davina and The Vagabonds
It was crazy, I tell ya. People were everywhere in the beautifully controlled chaos. Opening day: Jazz Fest 2016. Be still my beating heart as it keeps time with the rat-a-tat-tat of my rickety keyboard as I type away this report from the frontline. John Mooney and Bluesiana kicked off my musical intake on the […]
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Jazz Fest 2016, Day 1: Ron reviews Scofield-Lovano Quartet, Mikkel Ploug’s Equilibrium, and Paul Hofmann
The Scofield-Lovano Quartet got right down to business at Xerox Auditorium Friday night. The two stars — guitarist John Scofield and saxophonist Joe Lovano — walked onto the stage, along with the excellent rhythm section of Ben Street (bass) and Bill Stewart (drums), and launched into Lovano’s “Symbolism.” Scofield played gorgeously, even slipping into some […]
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Jazz Fest 2016: Other music happening downtown
Throughout the nine days of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, several other Rochester venues will take advantage of the wandering crowds still looking for more music, and will host their own mini-festivals. While they are not affiliated in any way with the XRIJF, Abilene Bar and Lounge (153 Liberty Pole Way), Bernunzio Uptown Music […]
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Davina and The Vagabonds
Proving that rock ‘n’ roll can still thoroughly thrive without the guitar, Davina and The Vagabonds lay it down with a vintage instrumentation — piano, horns, bass, and drums —and hi-tone retro ambition.
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Junior Brown
Junior Brown’s playing is a hybrid blur of chicken pickin’ prestidigitation and salaciously slick slide. It’s as if he was channeling Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West simultaneously and couldn’t decide which one to pick. Flummoxed by the dilemma, Brown came up with an instrument that can do both — an instrument that can be played […]
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John Abercrombie
Fusion music didn’t exist when guitarist John Abercrombie plied his craft at a Boston supper club in the late 1960’s.
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Lizz Wright
When I caught up with vocalist and composer Lizz Wright by phone, she was in New York City getting ready to sing at a benefit for The Innocence Project. Wright, who synthesizes R&B, jazz, folk, blues, and gospel music, is still basking in the glow of her excellent new album, “Freedom & Surrender.” Produced by […]
