Chris Potter Tells the Story of Abolitionist John Brown
Chris Potter always plays jazz with a combination of respect for its traditions and an urge to push the sound forward. It is an audible balance on this new recording.
bill frisell
Henry Threadgill Extends His Compositional Daring Into Intimacy
On Listen Ship, you will hear some of the finest creative musicians in the world lose themselves in Henry Threadgill’s patterns and plans. It’s a gentle, daring classic.
JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Autumn 2022
PopMatters jazz critic Will Layman rounds up the best new jazz albums of recent vintage, including some thoughts about the US festival season and the undersung virtuoso Warren Wolf.
Julian Lage and Bill Frisell Combine Abilities on ‘View With a Room’
Julian Lage’s sound has the warmth of Joe Pass, the bite of Les Paul, and the dexterity of both, as exemplified by View With a Room.
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JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Summer 2022
The best new jazz and creative music this summer features masters Charles Lloyd and Al Foster, experimentalist Tyshawn Sorey, and young cats DOMi and JD Beck.
Ron Miles’ ‘Rainbow Sign’ Is Quietly Fantastic
Don't sleep on this magical, flowing music, even if it purposely courts a dreamy mood. The jazz cornetist and composer gets four other distinctive players to come quietly together for a greater good.
‘Harmony’ Is About As Bill Frisell As a Bill Frisell Recording Can Be
Bill Frisell's debut on Blue Note Records is a gentle recording featuring a few oddball gems, particularly when he digs into the standard repertoire with Petra Haden's voice out front.
The Big Ears Festival Introduces Goers to New Concepts and New Paradigms
While some festivals introduce you to new bands, Big Ears introduces participants to new concepts, to new paradigms. And in a world where the ills seem greater than the remedies, Big Ears is a potent and welcome elixir.
Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan, and Their Unorthodox Cover Choices on ‘Epistrophy’
Guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Thomas Morgan give us another quiet night at the Vanguard by way of the ECM label.
The Best Jazz of 2018
The definition of "jazz" has never been broader, and the music has never been brighter. Two PopMatters critics pick their favorites in four modern jazz categories.
Cuong Vu 4Tet: Change in the Air
With guitarist Bill Frisell in tow, Seattle trumpeter Cuong Vu creates a dramatic set of all original tunes that reflects a cross-continental sensibility on Change in the Air.
Jazz Legend Charles Lloyd and Americana’s Lucinda Williams Join Forces Beautifully on ‘Vanished Gardens’
Charles Lloyd's Americana/jazz group is joined by the marvelous Lucinda Williams on half the tracks here, creating a diverse, minor masterpiece.