“There’s something really exhilarating about doing something terrifying,” she said, talking about her latest project, Ogresse, her song cycle/performance piece, which she is trying to turn into an animated feature film. For my vocal jazz column in Jazziz Magazine (Jan. 2021 issue), the supremely talented @CecileSalvant, a recently minted MacArthur fellow, spoke to me from Miami, where she was spending the holidays. A beautiful person and artist.
Filed under Aaron Diehl, Cecile McLorin Salvant, COVID-19, Jazziz, Sullivan Fortner
Bassist Chuck Israels is 82, pianist Aaron Diehl is 33, but they have much in common, as they proved last week at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Last week I did a joint interview with them for DownBeat, then reviewed their show. It was, for me, a personal reunion with both. I had previously profiled Aaron, whom I admire greatly, in Downbeat. The last time I saw Chuck was circa 1976, when, as a scruffy 21-year-old, I took his jazz workshop at SUNY Purchase.
Filed under Aaron Diehl, Chuck Israels
At 56, Marsalis is among the youngest living artists ever inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. If he had only been the leading trumpeter of his generation, there’s little doubt he eventually would have made it into the hallowed hall. But it’s his tireless work as an educator, bandleader, fundraiser, non-profit executive, and advocate for jazz and American culture that probably sealed the deal so soon. My interview with him, from the December 2017 DownBeat.
Pianists Sullivan Fortner (above), Aaron Diehl, Dan Nimmer, and two excellent student pianists from Julliard (Micah Thomas and Joel Wenhardt) rocked the “House of Swing” in “The Fantastic Mr. Jelly Lord,” the JLCO season opener at Jazz at Lincoln Center last weekend. My review in DownBeat.
The 2017 Newport Jazz Festival was, as usual, a showcase and a proving ground for great soloists. Here’s my recap, concentrating on a few of the finest performances I heard, including those of vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant (above) who performed with the Aaron Diehl Trio; the Maria Schneider Orchestra; the Benny Golson Quartet; and the Christian McBride Big Band.
Here’s a list of my favorite jazz CDs of 2015, as published in Jazz Times.
New Releases:
1. Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern(RPM/Columbia)
2. Maria Schneider Orchestra, The Thompson Fields (ArtistShare)
3. Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet, Intents and Purposes (Enja)
4. London, Meader, Pramuk & Ross, The Royal Bopsters Project (Motéma)
5. Aaron Diehl, Space Time Continuum (Mack Avenue)
6. Dave Stryker, Messin’ With Mister T (Strikezone)
7. Rudresh Mahanthappa, Bird Calls (ACT)
8. Cécile McLorin Salvant, For One to Love (Mack Avenue)
9. Nilson Matta, East Side Rio Drive (Krian)
10. Luciana Souza, Speaking In Tongues (Sunnyside)
Historical:
1. Tony Bennett/Bill Evans, The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings(Fantasy)
2. Wes Montgomery, In the Beginning (Resonance)
3. Miles Davis, At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 (Columbia Legacy)
Honorable mentions: Karrin Allyson, Many a New Day: Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein (Motéma); Chris Dingman, The Subliminal and the Sublime (Inner Arts Initiative), Chris McNulty, Eternal (Palmetto); Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Cuba: The Conversation Continues(Motéma); Robert Glasper, Covered (Blue Note); Jonathan Kreisberg, Wave Upon Wave (New For Now); Duduka da Fonseca Trio, Jive Samba (Zoho)… and I may add some others as they occur to me.
In November, DownBeat published a condensed version of my conversation with the brilliant young pianist Aaron Diehl, who some of you may know best as the accompanist and musical director for singer Cecile McLorin Salvant. A pianist of extraordinary refinement like, say, Ahmad Jamal, he can also swings as hard as Oscar Peterson, who was also an influence.
Aaron and I talked music for nearly three hours in his Harlem living room, as he sat at his Steinway grand illustrating his remarks with musical examples. DownBeat.com has just published an extended version of this Q&A, along with a sidebar about his exploits as a private pilot. Enjoy, then check out his playing on his recent album Space Time Continuum (Mack Avenue) and on Cecile’s recent album For One To Love (Mack Avenue).
Filed under Aaron Diehl, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Downbeat, Music Writing and Clips, Piano
…for her 2nd #Grammys nomination in two years, this time for her 2nd album on @MackAvenueMusic, For One To Love, with the brilliant Aaron Diehl (piano), Paul Sikivie (bass) and Lawrence Leathers (drums). What a pleasure it was to write this profile of her, from the August 2014 DownBeat.
Cassandra Wilson at Newport 2015
The first of two pieces about the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival.
(L-R) Monty Alexander, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Cobb, Joe Temperley, Jimmy Heath
What a swell party last night (6/30/15) at Jazz at Lincoln Center for launch of a new JALC-branded jazz record label, to be called Blue Engine Records. The turnout included these jazz masters and many more of the greatest musicians in New York, among them Christian McBride, Aaron Diehl, Nilson Matta, Ted Nash, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabackin, and Catherine Russell. My report will be posted at DownBeat.com tomorrow (July 2).
After only one U.S. album release, she swept the 2014 DownBeat Critics Poll, winning not only Best Female Vocalist and Rising Star Female Vocalist, but, more unexpectedly, Jazz Album of the Year and Rising Star Jazz Artist. In person, she is whip-smart, a little shy, mature beyond her 24 years, and surprisingly modest about her gifts. I loved writing this interview, which you can read here.
Filed under Aaron Diehl, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Downbeat, Music Writing and Clips
Stacey Kent, Jim Tomlinson, and Kazuo Ishiguro “Wish They Could Go Travelling Again” (Jazziz, April 2021)
Maria Schneider Profile/Interview (DownBeat, 12/16 Cover Story)
DownBeat Readers Named “The Thompson Fields” Album of the Year in 2016 Readers Poll
Jon Batiste's Love Riot (DownBeat, April 2017)
How he got the Colbert gig, what he learned from Kenny Barron, and more
Anat Cohen – "Perfect Accent" (DownBeat, July 2017)
Clarinet wizard Anat Cohen talks about her love of Brazilian music, and more. Wynton Marsalis – Building the Cathedral (DownBeat, Dec. 2017)
Kurt Elling on "The Questions" (DownBeat June 2018)
Miles Evans Talks About His Dad, Gil (DownBeat, Mar. 2019)
Singer Allegra Levy: "Lose My Number" (JazzTimes, Dec. 2020)
How I Fell In Love With Jazz – Uncle Sam's Jukebox
Interview on Capitol Public Radio, Sacramento
Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition: London's Deelee Dubé and Denmark's Sinne Eeg Shine (Jazz Times, 11/23/16)
A Conversation with Catherine Russell (Jazz Times, Dec. 2016)
The singer on her legendary parents, her pop past and her new exploration of Harlem’s rich musical legacy
Troubled Genius – The Making of Don Cheadle's film "Miles Ahead" (DownBeat, Apr 2016)
Don Cheadle’s gritty portrayal of a drug-addled, gun-toting Miles Davis is the most anticipated jazz film in decades.
"In Jacob Collier’s Room" (DownBeat, Sept 2016)
Interview with the 21-year-old British jazz phenom
Duchess – Laughing at Life (CD Review, DownBeat 3-17)
Duchess Brings Harmony and Hijinks to NYC's 55 Bar (DownBeat, 2/27/17)
Trio da Paz Celebrates 30 Years Together (DownBeat, 1/3/17)
Newport Fest Highlights Soloists and Teamwork (DownBeat.com 8/17/17)
Catching Up With Russell Malone (Jazz Times, August 2016)
Australian Singer-Pianist Sarah McKenzie, in NYC, is Thinking About Paris and San Francisco
(DownBeat, Sept. 2018)
Bird Lives! Paquito D’Rivera revives “Charlie Parker w/Strings” at JALC (DownBeat, April 2013)
My review of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Charlie Parker with Strings” concert, with Paquito D’Rivera
The New York Voices — 25 Years of Vocal Excellence (DownBeat, June 2013)
The under-appreciated New York Voices (Darmon Meader, Kim Nazarian, Peter Erskine and Lauren Kinhan) are one of the most accomplished vocal jazz groups ever. This year they celebrate their 25th anniversary with their first live album.
Eliane Elias at the Toronto Jazz Festival (DownBeat, 7/2/13)
At the Toronto Jazz Festival in late June, perhaps my favorite moments were with the astonishing Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias and her trio. Here’s the first of my two festival reviews in DownBeat.
Gregory Porter – The Storyteller (DownBeat)
My cover story for the October 2013 DownBeat
Guitarist Ben Monder's Stunning "Hydra" (my review in Nov. 2013 DownBeat)
Guitarist Ben Monder’s Stunning “Hydra” (my review in Nov. 2013 DownBeat)
Donald Fagen – An Eminent Hipster Speaks
Donald Fagen Profile, DownBeat, 12/13
Seven New Vocal CDs – From 'Trad' to Rad
Jazz CDs – Column by Allen Morrison, DownBeat, Dec 2013
"Second Wind" – Chuck Israels' Tribute to Bill Evans, his Former Partner
DownBeat, Jan. 2014
Cassandra Wilson Reprises "Blue Light" in NYC (DownBeat, April '14)
My review in the April 2014 DownBeat
Lauren Kinhan – "Circle In A Square" review
in DownBeat, March 2014
Catherine Russell – "Bring It Back" CD Review – DownBeat, Apr 2014
Rufus Reid: Still Evolving (DownBeat – June 2014)
Rufus has played with everybody from Dexter Gordon to Stan Getz, and now is writing award-winning big-band compositions. My look back at his career from the June DownBeat.
Saxophonist Craig Handy – Serious Fun (DownBeat, March 2014)
Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater used to call him “my Handy-man.” Now he’s back with a new album that blends the music of organist Jimmy Smith with contemporary jazz and N.O. second-line. My interview with Handy from DownBeat (March ’14).
Stacey Kent Weaves a Subtle Spell at Birdland – review from DownBeat.com, 12-27-13
Stacey Kent – The Changing Lights
CD Review from DownBeat, May 2014
Bob Dorough, 90, Is Still Hip
Paquito D’Rivera & Trio Corrente Light Up MIMO Fest in Brazil Cecile McLorin Salvant: Young Provacateur (DownBeat cover story, 8/14)
Jazz Legends of the Winter (Jazz Fest) – DownBeat 1/28/15
Pianist Mike LeDonne hosts an evening of jazz legends for a worthy cause.
At 80, Bossa Nova Pioneer Joao Donato Isn't Slowing Down (DownBeat, 12/5/14)
"Chick Corea – The Music Defies Words" (DownBeat 12/14)
Taj Mahal Satisfies and Tickles, Too at SFJazz (DownBeat.com, 3/12/15)
Review of Taj’s 2/26 show at the S.F. Jazz Center
Gregory Porter and All-Stars Celebrate Blue Note Records' 75th Anniversary at Sea (DownBeat, Dec. 2015)
Jive Samba – Duduka da Fonseca (Jazz Times)
My review of new CD, in Jazz Times
Bossa Nova Pioneer Carlos Lyra Returns to U.S. for First Time in 50 Years (DownBeat, 6/3/15)
DownBeat Visits Catherine Russell in Studio for ‘Harlem’ Sessions (DownBeat, 12-11-15)
Back In The Studio, Catherine Russell Makes Everything Old New Again
Newport 2014 Review, Part 2 (Marsalis, JLCO, Dee Dee Bridgewater)
Bebop royalty join new vocal jazz group in historic vocalese summit (DownBeat, 9/22/15)
Bill Withers Returns to Spotlight for Carnegie Hall Tribute (DownBeat, 10/6/15)
Guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg – The Underdog (Jazz Times, July 2015)
Newport Jazz Festival 2015 – My Take (DownBeat, 8-7-15)
Turning 90, legendary drummer Roy Haynes celebrates with Pat Metheny & Christian McBride (Jazz Times, 3/16/15)
Charlap and Friends Celebrate B'way & Harlem Tunesmiths at Jazz at Lincoln Center (DownBeat, 4/13/16)
…with help from Cecile McLorin Salvant, Freddy Cole, Houston Person and Ken Peplowski 
Lizz Wright: Total Devotion (DownBeat, Jan. 2016)
Barth Brings Eloquent, Hard-Charging Swing to Mezzrow (DownBeat, May 18, 2016)
Kamasi Washington Presents Jazz-Rock Spectacle in New York (DownBeat 3/22/16)
Live review of Webster Hall show, March 2016
Jon Batiste Chats About His Favorite Jazz Xmas Albums (DownBeat.com Dec 9, 2016)
Becca Stevens Band Embraces Jazz-Folk in-Pittsburgh (DownBeat, May 31, 2016)
Elias Revisits Brazilian Classics at Birdland (DownBeat 4-10-15)
Brazilian singer Clara Moreno, daughter of Joyce, re-imagines a jazz samba classic (DownBeat, Nov. 2016)
Allen Morrison - Music Journalist, Jazz Pianist, Songwriter, Lecturer - Long Island, NY 
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