Jul 27, 2021 10:30 AM
John Pizzarelli’s Ode to Pat Metheny
It was in his darkest hour, during the early stages of the 2020 lockdown, that guitarist-vocalist John Pizzarelli…
A live Alice Coltrane recording from 1972 marks a turning point in her music.
(Photo: DownBeat Archives)Ambrose Akinmusire, A Rift In Decorum: Live At The Village Vanguard (2017)
Akinmusire is one of those rare players who can deliver a smile, a scowl, a surprise and a tear by simply telling stories through his trumpet. On A Rift In Decorum, his third album for the Blue Note label, Akinmusire presents this artistry live at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York. This program documents his longtime working quartet of Sam Harris on piano, Harish Raghavan on bass and Justin Brown on drums, playing very intimate music in one of the world’s greatest jazz shrines.
Dianne Reeves, Light Up The Night (Live In Marciac) (2016)
The inimitable Reeves—accompanied by guitarist Romero Lubambo and an all-star cast—works through some familiar tunes, as well as her own composition “Cold.”
Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane, At Carnegie Hall (2005)
Recorded in 1957, this particular date is notable not just for Trane joining in on a set of the bandleader’s tunes, but also because the group Monk frequently worked with (including mainstay saxophonist Charlie Rouse) is wholly supplanted by other performers here. Despite that—or maybe because of that—there’s no shortage of notable moments from either marquee player.
Mary Lou Williams, Live At The Keystone Korner (2002)
Williams opens this 1977 recording by explaining the history of jazz to the audience, and then launches into a solo exhibition that effortlessly moves through time and styles. Her rhythm section chimes in on subsequent tracks, but that initial burst of music perfectly encapsulates the pianist’s immense talent.
John Coltrane, The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings (1997)
Recorded the same year as Ornette Coleman’s Free Jazz, the music captured here is the sound of change. And it’s a sound that jazz still is grappling with today.
Geri Allen/Charlie Haden/Paul Motian, Live At The Village Vanguard (1991)
Recorded in 1990 and released the following year, this album documents a stellar trio wading into compositions by each band member, including Haden’s tribute to Alice Coltrane, “For Turiya.”
John Pizzarelli hit the woodshed, literally, to develop material for his new recording Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes On Pat Metheny.
Jul 27, 2021 10:30 AM
It was in his darkest hour, during the early stages of the 2020 lockdown, that guitarist-vocalist John Pizzarelli…
New, impactful live recordings of the late pianist Bill Evans continue to emerge on vinyl.
Jul 20, 2021 4:10 PM
Bill Evans’ discography is immense, beginning with his first recordings as a sideman in 1953 and running through…
This year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been canceled. It was scheduled to take place in October.
Aug 9, 2021 10:28 PM
New Orleans musicians reacted with distress and disbelief — along with some relief — to the latest COVID…
In Harmony is culled from live 2016 and 2017 duo performances by modern-day legends Roy Hargrove and Mulgrew Miller.
Jul 20, 2021 4:08 PM
The history of jazz is fraught with artists who’ve died too young. But what lives on is their music — the legacy of…
Corea was named Artist, Pianist and Keyboardist of the Year for the final time in the 69th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll.
Aug 27, 2021 2:14 PM
Editor’s Note: This article is from the August 2021 DownBeat Critics Poll issue.
At the time of this writing,…
