Among the myriad injuries inflicted upon Americans by COVID-19 (though admittedly one of the mildest) is the impossibility of attending your favorite holiday concert. For the past dozen years, Chicago-based saxophonist Mars Williams has hosted a unique variation on that seasonal tradition. Each December he convenes Witches & Devils, his combo devoted to the music […]
Tag: Steve Swell
Posted inMusic
Veteran Norwegian reedist Frode Gjerstad brings his in-between improvising trio back to town
Frode Gjerstad once explained the concept of his group Detail as “too free for the jazzers and too jazzy for the improvisers.” The 69-year-old Norwegian reedist, who currently favors alto saxophone and B-flat clarinet, has struck that balance throughout his career. Gjerstad grew up in Stavanger, Norway, which had next to no free-music scene. He […]
Posted inBlogs
Octogenarian cornetist Bobby Bradford is still blowing cool
The veteran LA jazzman sounds great on a new record with Norwegian reedist Frode Gjerstad.
Posted inBlogs
A bounty of brilliance from Boston pianist Pandelis Karayorgis
Four new recordings on his Driff Records show off the brilliance and range of Boston pianist Pandelis Karayorgis.
Posted inBlogs
Downloadable jazz from Tim Daisy and Dave Rempis for your weekend
New music from Tim Daisy’s Relay label and a free download of a rare session by the Rempis Percussion Quartet
Posted inBlogs
Jazz All Over the Place
Three top-shelf jazz shows hit Chicago over the next 24 hours: Brad Mehldau, the ICP Orchestra, and the Ullmann/Swell 4.
Posted inBlogs
Steve Swell and Mikolaj Trzaska: Intimate Free Jazz at the Velvet Lounge Wednesday
New York trombonist Steve Swell and Polish reedist Mikolaj Trzaska play duets and improvise with some Chicagoans at the Velvet Lounge on Wednesday night.