Just when you think we’ve reached peak piano trio, a new recording arrives to demonstrate the infinite elasticity of the venerable formation. It happens so often as to become routine. Yet surprises still abound, and this is one, a digital-only EP from a hitherto unknown label – to me, at least – that is one […]
Canadian journalist Graydon Carter once noted, “We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. ” Given these attributes, the mastodon descendant is an apt symbol for Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. The trio’s original inspiration comes from the animal, with the imagery of […]
We continue our conversation (read part one here) with Chief Adjuah, formerly known as Christian Scott, by discussing the connections between Afro Indigenous music and R&B, rock, and hip hop. We also get into the social messages in his music and the origins of the Adjuah Bow, his custom made kamele n’goni gravi-hybrid. PostGenre: Although […]
Many attribute the phrase “History is a series of lies that people have agreed upon” to Napoleon Bonaparte, allegedly stated after his defeat at Waterloo in June 1815. Perhaps fittingly, there is some controversy on the origins of the quote. However, the substance behind the sentiment is undeniable. As Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, formerly known as […]
As Arnold Schoenberg once noted, “Intelligibility in music seems to be impossible without repetition.” Repetition is a shared facet of all music. And it seems an attraction to repetition is an innately human response. Repetition transcends style. Repetition transcends culture. Repetition transcends era. But things are not exactly as they seem. Merely copying a sound […]
Mary Halvorson gives a wide range of effects and musical roles to her guitar, and the result is always idiosyncratic. The guitarist’s compositions have a complex, innovative edge, and Cloudward (Nonesuch, 2024) is more evidence as to why she deserves all the acclaim that comes her way. The intensity and progression of “Desiderata” is a fantastic display […]
We continue our conversation with NEA Jazz Master George Coleman (read part one here) by continuing to discuss his time with Miles Davis, Donald Byrd, the recording session for Herbie Hancock’s Maiden Voyage, working with organists, and ballads. PostGenre: There is a famous story about your time with Miles. Tony Williams, especially, had been giving […]
Unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way of interviews making it to print. This interview with the legendary George Coleman, which took place on May 19, 2023, is one such conversation. At the time, the NEA Jazz Master was promoting his latest live recording, Live at Small’s Jazz Club (Cellar Live, 2023), an electrifying quartet recording with […]
Abdullah Ibrahim has spent most of his life using music to stand up to injustice. Born in Capetown in 1934, Ibrahim grew up surrounded by music, with his mother and grandmother lovingly creating music for their church. He picked up the piano at age seven, and by age 15, he began playing professionally and recording […]
On March 28, 2023, the world lost one of its great composers, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Although emotionally powerful, Mr. Sakamoto’s work is difficult to characterize. He drew inspiration from Western classical music, including minimalism. But he was also an electronic music pioneer. In fact, it was not uncommon for his acoustic work to almost sound electronic […]
