Jazz

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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Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”: Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner

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Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), who rose to fame during the era of silent films, is remembered as a legendary English comic actor and filmmaker. He was also a composer of music including the Flower Girl’s theme from the 1931 romantic comedy-drama, City Lights. “He couldn’t read or notate music,” writes Ariane Todes. “Rather, he described the process of writing it as “la-la-ing” to the arranger.” Yet, according to composer David Raksin, “very little escaped his …

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Remembering Barre Phillips and Tom Johnson

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Two adventurous pioneers of American music passed away just before the arrival of the new year. Born in San Francisco, Barre Phillips was a virtuoso jazz and avant-garde bassist. His 1968 album, Journal Violone, featuring a series of solo improvisations, is credited as the first solo double bass record. Active in the free jazz movement, Phillips collaborated with artists including Ornette Coleman and Archie Shepp. In the 1970s, Phillips was a member …

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