Category Archives: Tenor Saxophone
On the 63rd Birth Anniversary Of Michael Brecker, A 2000 DownBeat Article
In 2000 I had the honor of writing a long cover story for DownBeat about the extraordinary tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker on the occasion of his then-current CD, Time Is Of The Essence. He’d joined me several years before on … Continue reading
Filed under Article, DownBeat, Michael Brecker, Tenor Saxophone
James Carter’s Uncut Blindfold Test From 2000
James Carter, the saxophone and clarinet master, celebrated his 43rd birthday on Tuesday. Here’s an uncut Blindfold Test for Downbeat from 2000. * * 1. Roscoe Mitchell, “Dragons,” (from HEY, DONALD, Delmark, 1996) (Mitchell, soprano saxophone; Malachi Favors, bass; Jodie … Continue reading
Filed under Blindfold Test, DownBeat, James Carter, Tenor Saxophone
An Interview with Kidd Jordan, July 2002
This interview with speculative improviser Kidd Jordan, best known internationally for his white-heat inventions on the tenor saxophone (and also the father of master musicians Kent Jordan [flute], Marlon Jordan [trumpet], and Stephanie Jordan [singer]) was taken for a short … Continue reading
Filed under Cadence, DownBeat, Kidd Jordan, New Orleans, Tenor Saxophone
For Jimmy Heath’s 85th Birthday: A 2001 DownBeat Article, and WKCR Interviews from 1993 and 1995
To observe the 85th birthday of Jimmy Heath, a long-standing master of the tenor saxophone and the art of composition, and a keen student of human nature, I’m posting a feature that I wrote for DownBeat on the occasion of … Continue reading
Filed under Albert "Tootie" Heath, DownBeat, Interview, Jimmy Heath, Tenor Saxophone, WKCR
NEA Jazz Masters 2012: Von Freeman
For the thirtieth and perhaps final installment of the National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Masters Awards, the NEA selected a quartet of hardcore individualists, who have steadfastly followed their own path through the decades: Drummer Jack DeJohnette, tenor saxophonist … Continue reading
Filed under Chicago, Interview, Tenor Saxophone, WKCR
Mark Turner Blindfold Test, Uncut
It’s New York’s gain, if the world’s loss, that Paul Motian doesn’t like to leave the island of Manhattan. Fortunately, he doesn’t need to. In the latest iteration of his ongoing residence at the Village Vanguard, Motian will perform the … Continue reading
Filed under Blindfold Test, DownBeat, Mark Turner, Tenor Saxophone
A Conversation with Evan Parker and Thomas Struth
To conclude this evening’s program at the Vision Fest, the sui generis English saxophonist Evan Parker will perform in duo with pianist Matthew Shipp. They began performing together four or five years ago (see Abbey Road Duos [Treader-2007]), and present … Continue reading
Filed under Evan Parker, Interview, Jazziz, Photography, Tenor Saxophone
The Pile (#2): Two Recent Releases by The Cream of the AACM First Wave
The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians means a lot to me. I encountered a number of the members as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago in the middle ’70s. The Art Ensemble of Chicago had recently returned … Continue reading
Filed under AACM, George Lewis, Muhal Richard Abrams, Piano, Roscoe Mitchell, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone
The Pile (#1)
As I’ve had a bit of down time recently, I’m trying to catch up on new releases, which arrive inexorably. It’s hard to make a dent—there’s only time to listen to a couple or three 60-70 minute recordings in a … Continue reading
Filed under Alexis Cuadrado, Bass, David Gibson, Gerald Clayton, James Carter, Piano, Review, Tenor Saxophone, The Pile, Trombone
