Anyone who frequented Cornelia Street Cafe in recent years is aware of the tradition that arose with the Tom Rainey Trio playing the second to last night of the year. For each of the last eight years, an eager crowd gathered to hear one of New York’s most cutting-edge bands. Drummer and composer Tom Rainey has
Danish saxophonist Lotte Anker’s tour through New York in December was one of the highlights of the year and was the crescendo to four performances that she did, each with a different band, over the course of ten days. Her unique approach to her instrument pairs perfectly with the equally exploratory American pianist Craig Taborn
Bassist Adam Hopkins moved to New York in 2011 and played extensively as a sideperson in a range of innovative projects. In 2018, he launched his own label, Out of Your Head Records, while simultaneously releasing his debut record as a leader, Crickets. I had a chance to speak with Mr. Hopkins in January about
Chicago based composer, clarinetist and pianist, Angel Bat Dawid took the time to speak with me about her new album, The Oracle (International Anthem), which was released on February 8. Dawid’s spiritual collection of music takes you through the watery depths of travel, ancient and ancestral connections, and improvised composition led by the talented multi-instrumentalist.
Nate Wooley is one of the most thoughtful and interesting musicians working in New York. Battle Pieces makes daring new explorations into song structure, reinventing the relationships between members of an ensemble in a way that retains an alert sharpness during every live performance. Since the band formed for Anthony Braxton’s Tri-Centric Music Festival in 2014,
Yarn/Wire‘s ambitious Stone residency included some experiments worthy of the designation “experimental” to be sure, and Popebama was no exception. On one of the coldest days I’ve experienced here in New York City, January 30th, I walked from Tribeca to the Stone at the New School in the Glass Box Theater. I had been there
Jones Jones – A Jones in Time Saves Nine (No Business, 2018) Andrew Barker & Daniel Carter – Polyhedron (Astral Spirits, 2018) [cassette] Ingrid Laubrock & Tom Rainey – Utter (Relative Pitch, 2018) Cecil Taylor (Orchestra of Two Continents) – Winged Serpent (Sliding Quadrants) (Soul Note, 1985) [vinyl] Cecil Taylor – Calling It the 8th (Hat Hut, 1983) [vinyl] William
Tenor saxophonist Sam Weinberg releases his debut record as a leader, Drolleries, with his band BLOOR on the Astral Spirits label. I had the chance to talk with Mr. Weinberg about the record. See below for streaming of two exclusive tracks. The record drops tomorrow in both CD and cassette formats. The record release show is
From the first track to the last, Air Ceremony is what the title would suggest. A constantly stimulating experience, the album does not disappoint with it’s abrupt shifts and turns throughout the music, focusing on the temporality of it all. The group is comprised of Dustin Carlson (guitar), Nathaniel Morgan (alto saxophone), Eric Trudel (baritone saxophone),
Bonds. We all have them, yet some are stronger than others. Then, there is the fascinating way that every generation sustains them and creates new bonds while exploring existing ones. Since reviewing Patrick Shiroishi’s Tulean Dispatch in 2018, I’ve learned that he and I have quite a bit in common. Two of the main things that
