A.K. Salim - Modern Sounds Of (Pid )
Adam Kolker - Flag Day (Sunny Side )
Alban Darche - Trumpet Kingdom (Budapest Music )
Alec Templeton - Magic Piano (Collectables )
Alexander Fisher - Three Question Marks (Pid )
Amos Hoffman - Evolution (Sunny Side )
Annie Ross - Handful Of Songs (Pid )
Anthony Braxton - Quartet (GTM) 2006 (Important Records )
Armstrong / Fitzgerald - Classic Album Collection (Pid )  read more »

Recently, I was engaged by a prominent Canadian musician in a spirited email exchange about the pros and cons of jazz festivals. His main point was that too many non-jazz artists get gigs that should go to jazz musicians, but an underlying refrain was that festivals give the illusion that a city has a thriving jazz scene, when in fact 90 percent of the year's expenditures on jazz are concentrated in a 10-day or two-week period. There's little denying either point. You don't have to look too far to find jazz festivals rife with performers like Al Green, Gladys Knight, Leonard Cohen, Billy Joel and others who have at best tenuous connections to jazz.  read more »

This just in from JazzCorner
Just as we were about to give a shout out for jazz musicians and jazz fans to get more involved in the November election, we get this notice about this incredible line-up of jazz musicians performing for one night only to present Jazz For Obama, a concert event to [...]

(This is a reprint of an interview published in the January DownBeat.) Last August, Charlie invited Brad Mehldau, Kenny Barron, Paul Bley and myself to take turns playing duo with him at the Blue Note in New York.    The music was an informal 70th birthday celebration, and likewise this discussion (taped during the same week) is an incomplete survey of his long and vital career. We began at the beginning. I am of the firm opinion that there are two kinds of Ornette Coleman music:  the kind with Charlie Haden on bass, and the kind without.  read more »

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israeli. As an American Jew, I hold the country dear in my heart, despite the terrible violence perpetrated by both Israelis and Arabs living in and around the country.  read more »

My posting about James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" last month begin a "new standard" for jazz musicians to tackle got me thinking about other songs to add to the "modern canon". Clearly, songs by Joni Mitchell will have to be included. In particular, her songs "River" and "A Case of You" have become material that jazz singers, particularly female sings - feel obligated to take a crack at. Sometimes the results are quite stunning - Corinne Bailey Rae's "River" or Karrin Allyson's "A Case of You", for example.  read more »

Days 1-3 | Days 4-6 | Days 7-8 | Days 10-11

Brad Mehldau Trio / Richard Galliano Tangaria Quartet TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival Ottawa, Ontario, Canada June 29-30, 2008  read more »

Brad Mehldau Trio Wolf Trap, The Barns Vienna, Virginia April 30, 2008

A well-developed solo is a beautiful construction that takes time. Using time to their advantage, the Brad Mehldau Trio played an intoxicating set at the Barns at Wolftrap. The trio's latest album, Live (Nonesuch, 2008), came to life as the sense of blossoming solos on the recording was fully in flower on stage...

Brad Mehldau Trio Wolf Trap, The Barns Vienna, Virginia April 30, 2008

A well-developed solo is a beautiful construction that takes time. Using time to their advantage, the Brad Mehldau Trio played an intoxicating set at the Barns at Wolftrap. The trio's latest album, Live (Nonesuch, 2008), came to life as the sense of blossoming solos on the recording was fully in flower on stage...

The Brad Mehldau Trio Nighttown Cleveland Heights, OH April 3, 2008

Set One

The Brad Mehldau Trio stepped out from the hall at the corner of Nighttown's concert dining room, snaked around some tables and took up their instruments unannounced. Many in the crowd looked for verbal confirmation from an announcer or the musicians, but the boys simply started in...