From Splitter To Splatter, From Pitter To Patter: Jazzfest Berlin Opening Night

From Splitter To Splatter, From Pitter To Patter: Jazzfest Berlin Opening Night

The 24-piece Splitter Orchester opened this year’s Jazzfest Berlin last night before a sold-out audience. The 45-minute piece “Creative Construction Set” was written by trombonist George Lewis and featured a strange, if somewhat entertaining mélange of several electronics and prepared field recordings with more traditional instruments like clarinet and violin, but played in alienated fashion, uncharacteristically,…

Wilton Felder R.I.P.

Wilton Felder R.I.P.

Texas-born saxophonist and bassist Wilton Felder formed The Crusaders together with Joe Sample and Stix Hooper. Together, they became one of the most revered jazz fusion groups of the 60s and 70s, with several major international hits, like the immortal “Street Life” (1979). But Wilton was also a sought-after studio musician and played on hundreds…

North Sea Jazz at 40: From Country To Soul and Celebrating Clark Terry

North Sea Jazz at 40: From Country To Soul and Celebrating Clark Terry

Rudresh Mahanthappa opened the final day of the 40th North Sea Jazz Edition. And even though he was offering the music from his most recent Charlie Parker-inspired project, I couldn’t really draw the line to the saxophone hero. But nevertheless, the band was delivering, especially 20-year old Adam O’Farrill (yes he’s from that family). Curtis…

Lauren White with the Quinn Johnson Trio – Experiment
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Lauren White with the Quinn Johnson Trio – Experiment

One of my all-time favorite records is a duo album by the magnificent Irene Kral and the equally brilliant Alan Broadbent from 1974 called “Where Is Love?”. So I was pretty curious to listen to Lauren White‘s new album which was inspired by the recordings of Irene Kral. Lauren is a Los Angeles-based vocalist performing…