127 articles
John Adcock
I've been lucky enough to write reviews for Jazz Journal since 2009. My main interests lie at the more popular end of the jazz spectrum - pop, soul, blues and funk. European jazz has, to me, never sounded more vibrant and alive than it does at the moment, which is why I enjoy listening to and reviewing it so much. That said, my biggest musical regret is never having seen Art Pepper in concert - he simply was the greatest.
Joachim Kuhn: New Trio Jazz At Berlin Philharmonic XIV – Komeda
German pianist pays tribute to Polish composer Krzysztof Komeda with bold, angular music, shaped by brooding chords
Emma Rawicz: Chroma
The Devon-born saxophonist again demonstrates her outstanding virtuosity and expression, this time over slightly more abstract backgrounds
Nils Kugelmann: Stormy Beauty
Without using any words, young German bassist leads piano and drums in explorations of unexpected love, the power of nature and the like
Marius Neset & Norwegian Radio Orchestra: Summer Dance
Norwegian saxman plays quartet jazz, classical and folk music with Ivo Neame, Peter Eldh, Anton Eger and the national radio orchestra
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Brötzmann – Bekkas – Drake: Catching Ghosts
The trio improvises at Jazzfest Berlin on incantations from Gnaoua liturgy, using reeds, guembri (a three-string African bass) and percussion
Iiro Rantala: Veneziana
Orchestral music from the Finnish pianist, tangentially related to jazz, depicts imaginary scenarios featuring famous composers in Venice
Emile Parisien, Roberto Negro: Les Métanuits
The jazzing of Ligeti by soprano and piano, while momentarily peaceful, is largely abrasive and at times stubbornly inaccessible
Laila Biali: Your Requests
Canadian singer and guests produce bristling modern interpretations of old standards, reframing mood, form, harmony and rhythm
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Matthieu Saglio: Voices
Cello-led band with Nils Landgren and others captures in one voice-focused album the range of music typical of the ACT label
Peter Somuah: Letter To The Universe
Ghanaian trumpeter moves the Miles Davis legacy along, mixing Miles' styles with Ashanti 6/8 rhythm patterns, slam poetry and Fra Fra music
Lars Danielsson: Symphonized
Swedish bassist adds another chapter to the jazz meets classical story by blending his quartet with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Sissoko, Segal, Parisien, Peirani: Les Égarés
Kora, cello, soprano saxophone and accordion play jazz-tinged world music, creating a cinematic atmosphere
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