71 stories by "Steve Elman"
The late Robert Brustein's shadow is long. But his legacy is problematic.
Saxophonist Stan Getz knew whom to listen to and whom to borrow from, and the repertoire for the 1961 Village Gate gig was particularly satisfying.
The post Jazz Review and Perspective: Stan…
A landmark concert from 1992 is a chance to rediscover Betty Carter's greatness, to appreciate again how this artist was special to the very essence of her soul.
The post Jazz Review and Ap…
Whom can we thank at the Boston Symphony Orchestra for choosing James Carter to be the featured saxophone soloist in March 23's concert at Symphony Hall?
The post Jazz Appreciation and Previ…
Part one of this survey looked at one upcoming performance and five CDs where music takes the leading role. This post looks at the other side of the coin, where the words are the wellspring …
By Steve Elman Each happy marriage is happy in its own way, at least when the partners are jazz and poetic text. I'm tempted to generalize, but I won't. Maybe it's just coincidence that 2018…
Here's a look back at the history of jazz recordings and a selection of ten of the best, plus one release from 2018 that has a good chance of being one of my favorites for many years to come.
His beautiful sound is undimmed by time, his sensitivity to nuance is intact, and his choice of virtuoso partners was a delight.
Is this lineup of jazz performances richer and more mouth-watering than we've seen in many a year? Yep.
A baker's dozen of recordings worth hearing . . . maybe even owning.
Composer/pianist Anthony Coleman's meticulous crafting made every second worthwhile.
A kaleidoscopic small-band adventure led by one of the world's great clarinetists, and a superbly-played set by Ben Wendel's dynamic quintet.
It was supposed to be an evening of sheer virtuosity, and that's what it was.
It's clear these four musicians love playing together. As long as the magic lasts, it's well worth your hearing.
In two new releases, Jane Ira Bloom and Brian Carpenter complete their work on self-defined projects that are tonics for a time of trouble.
If you want to know how exquisitely intuition and structure can be balanced, you could hardly do better than to hear these two new discs.
These three area pianists offer up a mini-festival of satisfying keyboard music.
But, good as the support is, it's all about Thelonious Monk, who is in superlative form throughout.
This is music that says things that cannot be said any other way, music that cannot wear its heart on its sleeve.
"Art . . . is . . . fundamental equipment for existence on human terms." -- Albert Murray
At his best, Albert Murray is a thinker passionately in love with thinking, a virtuoso of verbal music, an American to his core.
I think any one of these releases would be received gratefully by a person who listens with both ears.
Sheila Jordan, to the club crowd in Central Square: "What do I care? I'm still alive."
Intense head music and powerful foot music, but this show needed a little more heart. By Steve Elman [Disclosures: I received press tickets to this event from the Celebrity Series. I'm indeb…
With an artist as focused and sharp as Danilo Pérez as its musical director, Jazz 100 makes you sit up straight and hang on every note.
