Jazz

“God Bless the Child”: Keith Jarrett Trio

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Jazz standards, music from the great American songbook, had fallen out of fashion when, in 1983, the Keith Jarrett Trio recorded Standards, Vol. 1. The album’s final track is God Bless the Child, a 1939 song by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. Jarrett’s God Bless the Child blends elements of jazz, rock, gospel, and minimalism. It unfolds over a long, continuous cool groove. Pianist Keith Jarrett is joined by bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack …

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“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”: Keith Jarrett Trio

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In the notes for his album, After the Fall, American jazz pianist Keith Jarrett describes his “fall” into a bout of chronic fatigue syndrome in the fall of 1996. His return to the concert stage came on November 14, 1998 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a venue close to his home. The title of the album, a document of the live concert, reflects Jarrett’s recovery after the two-year hiatus. Santa …

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Remembering André Geraissati

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The Brazilian guitarist, André Geraissati, passed away on November 19. He was 74. Often wistful and atmospheric in tone, Geraissati’s music blends elements of jazz and Brazilian folk music. He collaborated with such artists as Grupo D’Alma, Egberto Gismonti, Bobby McFerrin, and Wynton Marsalis. From 1979 to 1985, he performed as part of the guitar trio, Grupo D’Alma. Geraissati’s 1988 solo album, DADGAD, explores an alternate tuning, as expressed in the title, in which …

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Hiromi: “Pendulum”

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In a recent interview, Rick Beato called Japanese jazz musician Hiromi “the most electrifying pianist alive.” Regarding the fusion of influences which can be heard in her music, Hiromi explains, I don’t want to put a name on my music. Other people can put a name on what I do. It’s just the union of what I’ve been listening to and what I’ve been learning. It has some elements of classical music, …

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Oscar Peterson at 100

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Today marks the centennial of the birth of Canadian jazz virtuoso pianist and composer Oscar Peterson (1925-2007). Herbie Hancock commented, Oscar Peterson redefined swing for modern jazz pianists for the latter half of the 20th century up until today. I consider him the major influence that formed my roots in jazz piano playing. He mastered (brilliantly) the balance between technique, hard blues grooving… and tenderness. C Jam Blues On this recording, Peterson …

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Remembering Eddie Palmieri

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Eddie Palmieri, the pianist, composer, band leader, and innovator of Latin music, passed away last Wednesday, August 6 at his home in New Jersey. He was 88. Born in East Harlem to a Puerto Rican immigrant family and raised in the South Bronx, Palmieri was exposed to jazz in the New York City public school system. As a child, he frequently accompanied his brother, Charlie Palmieri, who became a prominent jazz musician …

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Remembering Chuck Mangione

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Chuck Mangione, the American flugelhorn player, trumpeter, and composer, passed away last Tuesday (July 22) at his home in Rochester, New York. He was 84. Born in Rochester to Italian parents who were avid jazz fans, Mangione rose to prominence as a student at the Eastman School of Music. He performed with his brother, Gap Mangione in the ensemble, The Jazz Brothers. In the mid 1960s, at the recommendation of Dizzy Gillespie, Chuck …

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