Issue #122 - Esbjörn Svensson
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Esbjörn Svensson - Reminiscence of a Soul - The tragic death of Esbjörn Svensson, at the age of just 44, in June robbed jazz of one of its most progressive and influential musicians. In just over a decade with EST he changed the face of the piano trio stretching and challenging the format and in turn directly influencing a whole new generation of jazz musicians. At the same time he introduced both a postmodern European sensibility to the band and the innovations and new sounds of rock and electronica channelled through the unique prism of Svensson’s improvisational ideas. Stuart Nicholson pays tribute to Esbjörn and looks back on a career studded with remarkable achievements. Read more... Return To Forever - Blast from the Past - A historic reunion this year has seen the coming together once again of one of the most seminal and influential jazz-rock bands of the 1970s, Return To Forever. Bringing the line-up of Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola and Lenny White together to tour has been a long time in the planning with the tour also coinciding with an anthology that cherry picks the best tracks from the line-up’s heyday in the 70s. Andy Robson hears from Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke about the band’s day in the sun and how everyone concerned has had to put past differences aside to make the comeback a reality once again. Read more...
Jef Neve - Soul power - Tipped as one of the new rising stars on the European jazz circuit Belgian pianist Jef Neve returns this month with a follow-up to his critically acclaimed trio outing from last year. On the new record, Soul in a Picture, he manages to mould jazz, rock and classical influences into a flexible improvising vehicle along with drummer Teun Verbruggen and bassist Piet Verbist. Stuart Nicholson talks to Neve about his inspirations, his classical and jazz influences, and how he manages to develop his own identity. Read more...Reviews - Jazz and Beyond - From the UK's biggest review section
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The UK's most definitive review section of jazz and beyond - over 100 CDs, Book, Gig and DVD reviews are in the June 2008 Jazzwise Magazine (Issue No. 122) - to read them all Subscribe Here
August CD Sample Reviews
Jerry Bergonzi - Tenor Talk ****
Fieldwork - Door ****
Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners ****
The Player
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Abram Wilson feels the Big Chill - David Gallant talks to the trumpeter about how he got started, the instruments he has played over the years and his all time favourite choice Jazz Instrument Update
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David Gallant reports on the latest instrument developments and launches here.
Charts
Charting the Jazz message
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Jazzwise August 2008 Chart