“Look at the wind tearing out the trees’ hair … .”
“But trees don’t have hair, João,” said the psychologist.
“And some people have no poetry in their souls,” he replied.
For my DownBeat obit on the genius João Gilberto, I spoke with Eliane Elias and the legendary Wanda Sá.
If you’re free on Sunday afternoon, 2/5/17, join me for a look back at The Great Jazz Singers (Part 1) – From Satchmo to Lady Day. I’ll be speaking – and playing killer film clips – at the Freeport Memorial Library on Merrick Road at 2:30 pm, and it’s free.
Filed under Allen Morrison, Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Uncategorized
…The music is going too fast.” – Sonny Rollins quoted in Esquire. http://ow.ly/x0rax
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Larry Klein and Billy Childs’ “Laura Nyro Revisited” album, coming this fall, will feature Wayne Shorter on “Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp.” Alison Krauss, Susan Tedeschi, Dianne Reeves, Rickie Lee Jones, Esperanza Spalding, and more big names will appear on the tribute album.
Looking forward to hearing pianist Alan Broadbent (2 Grammys, 7 nominations) & trio @The Drawing Room, 56 Willoughby St, Bklyn tonight at 7!
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“Free to be Jane Monheit” – DownBeat, June 2013
Jane Monheit, one of the most accomplished jazz singers of her generation, no longer strives for perfection. Here’s my article from the June 2013 DownBeat.
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized
Why Harry Connick Jr. Couldn’t Sit Idle During ‘Idol’ — “The point Connick tried to make, which Jackson didn’t want to hear, was that the show’s contestants didn’t know these classic songs well enough to take liberties with their melodies and lyrics. In doing so, they were murdering the music.”
Next Avenue http://ow.ly/kIQEw
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Int’w w/Bobby McFerrin today before his show @ Adelphi U. New CD ‘spirityouall’ is gorgeous jazz/blues/Americana http://ow.ly/k79V4
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized
Putting finishing touches on my profile of Jane Monheit for the June DownBeat. Video preview of her new album is at http://ow.ly/jzHDn
Jane Monheit – “The Heart of the Matter”
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Truly the end of an era. Rest in peace, Van Cliburn.
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The Wayne Shorter Quartet
What’s it like to compose new music on the spot with Wayne Shorter? See my int’w with the members of his quartet in the March DownBeat. http://ow.ly/hMo15
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized, Wayne Shorter
Stride piano pioneer James P. Johnson also wrote beautiful symphonic music, lost for years. Highly recommended NPR story: http://ow.ly/hnnaz
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Wonderful piece on Wayne Shorter, one of jazz’s great seekers, by @NateChinen in NYT. http://ow.ly/hmzD5
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Rising tenor sax star JD Allen almost never plays covers, preferring his own brisk, intense, forward-leaning trio compositions. So, when he was backstage at Jazz at Lincoln Center recently, preparing to make his debut as a guest soloist with the JALC Orchestra in a “Best of Blue Note Records” concert, he wondered to himself, “What the hell am I doing here?” Then he came out and made it abundantly clear that he can play anything. I interviewed him a few days later in the cafe at the Brooklyn Museum, and the resulting feature is in the February DownBeat.
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Jazz @ Lincoln Center’s new club in Doha, Qatar. New York’s Rodriguez Brothers band, with Carlos Henriques on bass, played during the “soft opening.” The Wynton Marsalis Quintet played the official opening week.
Wynton Marsalis opens Jazz@Lincoln Center branch in Doha, Qatar. Here’s my piece in Downbeat. http://ow.ly/eg7RR
Filed under Uncategorized
Lee Konitz is 84 and is cooler than you. DownBeat is currently running my review of the alto sax legend and his “Enfants Terribles” (feat. Bill Frisell) as their lead story. http://bit.ly/RF1D2D
Filed under Bill Frisell, Downbeat, Lee Konitz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized
The new “Porgy and Bess,” adapted for Broadway by Suzan Lori-Parks and Diedre L. Murray is up for 10 Tonys, including Best Musical Revival, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Orchestrations. For the May 2012 issue of DownBeat, I interviewed Diedre Murray on how she and her collaborators re-imagined Gershwin’s score for 21st Century Broadway. (Click the pic to read.)
Filed under Downbeat, Music Writing and Clips, Porgy and Bess, Uncategorized
The Miami Herald interviews Lyle Cogen about her musical play “Sticks & Stones,” which helps children understand how to defuse and prevent bullying behavior. The show comes to the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center on Monday, October 10, 2011. http://bit.ly/o8agWN
Filed under Uncategorized
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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