Some the very greatest jazz records were created in fortuitous circumstances and sometimes against the odds, and this is especially true of Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section, as we discover in this article about the 1957 release from the alto saxophone great. Everything seemed stacked against the session even taking place never mind producing music …
One of the most influential saxophonists to emerge from Lennie Tristano’s ‘cool school’ of improvisation, saxophonist Lee Konitz cuts a lonely figure in the history of jazz. In this article, we review his groundbreaking record “Motion” from 1961. So unique was his sound and phrasing, and so focused was his musical vision and philosophy that …
Arguably the most iconic photo in jazz history, the 1958 snap of 57 legendary jazz musicians on the steps of a Harlem brownstone gives a fascinating look into the late 1950s New York scene… Critic Whitney Balliett once described jazz as “the sound of surprise”, but within the genre the surprises come in other guises …
Spiritual Jazz, also known as Astral Jazz, evolved out of the free jazz of the 1960’s as musicians looked to express their own spirituality and search for transcendence in musical expression. In this article, we take a look at some of the most influential artists and albums in this style of jazz music, with examples …
There can be very few jazz fans who have not been acquainted with Jazz At the Philharmonic in one way or another. It’s also difficult to imagine how post war jazz would have evolved without these wonderful concerts and recordings, as we unravel in this article… What started out as a couple of concert performances, …
In a career full of highlights, legendary jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie had, arguably, his biggest hit with the 1958 release The Atomic Mr Basie. In this article, British jazz journalist Nick Lea dives into the story of an album which spawned some of the best-loved Count Basie songs of all time. As is …
France has long had a love affair with jazz, and likewise many of the great exponents of this great American music also had a love affair with the French lifestyle and people. In this article, we take a look at some of the key musicians and albums which have played an important role in the …
The Bill Evans discography showcases one of the most influential pianists in jazz. In this article, we take a look at his iconic 1960s album Portrait In Jazz, starting with a trip through his early career to see what influenced such a brilliant recording. From his arrival on the New York jazz scene in 1955, Bill Evans …
If you’re on the search for joyous alto saxophone playing, you probably need to look no further than one of the many Cannonball Adderley songs on record. Whilst some of his most famous album contributions have been as a sideman, British writer Nick Lea takes a look her at one of his most enduring records …
Arguably the most famous saxophone player in history, John Coltrane’s music not only enthralled fans, but changed the way that future generations of jazz musicians approached improvisation. As part of our classic albums series, we take a look at his most groundbreaking record, Giant Steps. John William Coltrane was a towering figure in the history …