Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews The World Is Falling Down, by one of his favorite contemporary jazz singers, Abbey Lincoln.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Furthermore, the new album from tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore. Whitehead says it's one of the year's best mainstream records. Unlike many jazz musicians who find fame in their early twenties, Moore didn't release is first album until he was 33.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the last two releases by jazz drummer Art Blakey, who died last week. Blakey is credited with discovering and nurturing young talent, but Whitehead says not to overlook the drummer's own skill and dedication -- both of which are never absent from any of his albums.

Raney began playing when he was 17. He was one of the first jazz guitarists to incorporate modern bop into his music. He suffers from Meniere's disease, which causes hearing problems -- he can perform solo, but has difficulty with other musicians. He collaborated with Stan Getz in the 1950s. Some of those early sessions have recently been re-issued on CD.

Fresh Air remembers hard bop drummer Art Blakey with an interview excerpt from 1979. Blakey passed away yesterday at the age of 71.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the jazz musician's new albums. Weston spent a spent a decade in Tangiers; Whitehead says you can hear the percussive influence of West African music in his performances.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says some of the best parts of classic songs like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "A Foggy Day" are the half-sung, almost-spoken introductions. But many singers skip them, opting to begin with the chorus. Whitehead remembers some of these forgotten intros.

Kevin Whitehead doesn't like to admit liking new anthologies by Lester Lanin, whom he calls the king of blandness, and "crass and lowbrow" singer Jerry Lewis.

World music commentator Milo Miles reviews the career of the Afropop pioneer. Dibango grew up in Cameroon, played jazz in Paris, and later returned to his home country. He performs in a wide range of styles, from soul to smooth jazz.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Brown is one of the best musicians who played with Art Blakey in the 1980s. Both the composition and improvising on his new album are excellent.

Kevin Whitehead reviews the pianist's new trio album. Pullen uses his unconventional technique in traditional jazz setting, which may appeal to listeners turned off by the avant-garde. But he can still play in a more conventional, classical style.

Cherry played with Ornette Coleman's free jazz ensemble. After striking out on his own, he immersed himself in world music. Those influences have informed Cherry's new album, Multikulti.

Overlooked albums by Chick Corea and Pat Metheny are now on CD. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says both reveal the musicians' more experimental sides.

Rather than shop around their works to established big bands, the New York Composers Orchestra founded their own ensemble. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead is impressed by their self-titled debut.

Fred Ho is a first-generation Chinese immigrant sax player who incorporates Asian melodies into his ensemble work. Carlo Actis Dato's music has a distinct Italian folk flare. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says their recent albums are irresistible.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead thinks there's nothing better than Duke Ellington's masterful compositions, arrangements, and performances. He reviews two new CDs he thinks are particularly excellent.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that some of the soloists Duke Ellington featured in the bandleader's big band left a lasting impression -- even after their departure. Whitehead reviews two new CD anthologies which feature trumpeters Bubber Miley and Louis Armstrong's collaborations with the jazz composer.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Complete Blue Note Recordings of George Lewis," a box set featuring the music of early New Orleans clarinetist George Lewis. Whitehead says you don't need to be familiar with Lewis's historical significance to understand the timeless grace of his playing.

Film critic Stephen Schiff says Mo' Better Blues, about a trumpet player's struggles balancing his career with his romantic relationships is at best agreeably messy and, at worst, repugnant, especially in its flagrant, anti-Semetic portrayals of Jewish businessmen.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the multi-instrumentalist genre-hopper is distinctive; but his music has been largely overlooked, in part because may considered his eclectic approach middle-brow. Whitehead hopes two new reissues of Kirk's music will bring Kirk some much-deserved attention.