Mary Halvorson and Ambrose Akinmusire Connect to Jazz History
Mary Halvorson and Ambrose Akinmusire’s new LP feels more like an hour of tapas than a tasting menu, which makes it charming and crystalline and leaves room for something more.
jazz guitar
Guitarist Miles Okazaki Expands His Sound with ‘Boomtown’
Jazz artist Miles Okazaki has had no trouble defining his own space and personality on the big American landscape. He sounds, finally, like no other guitarist.
Brandon Seabrook Conjures a Vivid ‘Hellbent Daydream’
Brandon Seabrook’s Hellbent Daydream suggests the logic of dreams with a musical precision that is more caffeinated than gauzy. It sparkles with originality.
John Pizzarelli Discusses His Tribute to Tony Bennett
For all his success and longevity, John Pizzarelli seems youthful — funny and easygoing as a personality and, inevitably, always the son of his legendary dad, the guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.
Julian Lage Teams with John Medeski for Impeccable LP
John Medeski colors each Julian Lage composition to perfection. For all its ease of listening, this album isn’t comfort food as much as a really balanced meal.
John Scofield and Dave Holland Show Jazz Mastery
Dave Holland and John Scofield create a jazz master class and a supremely relaxed example of a couple of guys just hanging out and playing tunes.
JazzMatters: The Best Jazz of Summer 2024
PopMatters presents the best new jazz albums of the summer of 2024, and our columnist examines the recent recordings of Washington, DC, jazz phenom Anthony Pirog.
Pat Metheny Looks Forward and Back with SIDE-EYE Album and Tour
Jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny discusses his relationship with a new generation of players and reflects on his place in the legacy of the music.
Dave Holland Returns with a Daring Guitar Trio Featuring Kevin Eubanks
On Another Land, jazz bassist Dave Holland returns to the guitar trio format with Kevin Eubanks of The Tonight Show band flying by his side.
John Scofield Renews the Jazz Guitar Trio on ‘Swallow Tales’
The jazz guitar trio is a classic format, and John Scofield, Steve Swallow, and Bill Stewart are as well-equipped to venerate it and renew it a bit on Swallow Tales.
Pat Metheny Adds Strings to His Quartet on ‘From This Place’
On From This Place, Pat Metheny's recent and superb quartet is supplemented by orchestral arrangements on ten new Metheny originals.
Gordon Grdina’s Nomad Trio Create a Potent Mix on ‘Nomad’
Vancouver guitarist and oud player Gordon Grdina joins forces with two stellar New York jazz players to create a snapping blend of free improvisation, sharp fusion, and jabbering polyrhythm.