Jazz Recommendations from this Century - Page 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by LithoJazoSphere 

Aziza Mustafa Zadeh - Inspiration.  Quite arguably the most underrated jazz artist of all time, and with an all-star cast, including Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, Omar Hakim, Bill Evans, Kai Eckhardt, and Torsten de Winkel.  Forget the Grammys, this album is where the action is.

 

Hiromi - Time Out.  A rather funky and eclectic take on modern jazz fusion.  Phenomenal pianist. 

 

Dave Weckl - Live (and Very Plugged In).  Some find Weckl a bit too robotic and choppy, but this is modern jazz/fusion played to perfection, yet still with a strong groove.

Where can I get that cd?  Can't seem to find.

Weckl is awesome.  The master of polyrhythms.  Choppy because he plays a lot of fusion.  But listen to him (in recent years I might add) on other people's material and he gives plenty of space.

I think Antonio Sanchez is the greatest living jazz drummer right now.  Certainly top 5
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro 

 

I think Antonio Sanchez is the greatest living jazz drummer right now.  Certainly top 5
 

 

+1 on Antoino Sanchez!!

And I think a new thread on the topic of top 5 greatest living jazz drummers (in order) would be a worthy one!!! I think.....THINK...I know my top 3, but I'm sure once people started chiming in, I'd have to shred my list and spend a reflective day out in the woods reconsidering it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugBug1 

But definately more Saturday night than Sunday morning!

Well put!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpink44 

+1 on Antoino Sanchez!!

 

And I think a new thread on the topic of top 5 greatest living jazz drummers (in order) would be a worthy one!!! I think.....THINK...I know my top 3, but I'm sure once people started chiming in, I'd have to shred my list and spend a reflective day out in the woods reconsidering it!

Five greatest jazz drummers of all time:

1.  Tony Williams

2.  Tony Williams

3.  Tony Williams

4.  Tony Williams

5.  Tony Williams

Russ Ballard is another beast.  Steve Smith.  There are many.  Weckl and Sanchez my favs, though

I'm mostly into the NYC downtown scene when it comes to jazz... lots of great stuff going on there. This thread just reminded me that Dave Douglas & Joe Lovano's quintet is playing here tonight and tomorrow (clearly I've missed tonight... but maybe tomorrow).

This is probably my favorite band that I've seen Dave Douglas in:

And here's a bonus solo piano performance by the pianist in that ensemble... I just love this piece:

I don't think anyone mentioned this recording - one of my favorites of the year. I just posted a review of it on my website (http://www.jazzjunkie.net/) - hard album to review due to the complex sound layers. But, very enjoyable - if you liked his project "Apex" with Bunky Green, you'll dig this!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugBug1 

Can I be so bold as to add Tony Williams to that list? I think he deserves to be there after all.

 

Stanely Clarke once said that a guy like Tony only comes along once every 50 years! 

For those of you not familiar with the Neil Cowley Trio, I highly recommend checking out Radio Silence. I finally got around to writing a review of it for my website and I'm excited for their upcoming release in January! They're one of the reasons I think the contemporary jazz scene is so appealing.

This is fantastic, this is a great way for me to keep up to date with what's fresh in the jazz world.

My favorite jazz band is Avishai Cohen trio.  Excellent live performances as well.  Each album is something fresh and different than the previous.  Check out Seven Seas, Aurora, and Gently Disturbed.

Might as well post my 2nd favorite modern band, Helge Lien Trio

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNBC 

Might as well post my 2nd favorite modern band, Helge Lien Trio

 

Awesome recommendation!!! I picked up a digital copy of Hello Troll yesterday morning after you posted - I'm a sucker for piano trios and the cover caught my eye. On my review for Raphael Gualazzi's "Reality and Fantasy," I talk about how I took a gamble based on the cover and it paid off. I must say, this has too! I've only listened to it all the way through once....and got about half way through it on the way into work this morning. But so far, I'm really digging it. That drummer does some crazy stuff....I'm really looking forward to sitting down with it and running it through the DAC and headphones.

Thanks again for sharing!! This is one that I think will deserve a future review :-)
 

I also have a soft spot for these piano trios.  Sometimes all we have is but a cover + handful of reviews and whether we like it or not, advertising sells.  Looking forward to your review of Helge Lien Trio's music.  They must be amazing live.  I'm looking forward to listening to the music posted in this thread, most of which I have not heard so it will be new, vetted material.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpink44 

Thanks again for sharing!! This is one that I think will deserve a future review :-)

Another piano trio that ranks somewhere in my top 10 of this century is the Tord Gustavsen Trio.  I don't believe they were mentioned here.  A bit slower and methodical in presentation but still excellent stuff.  Skip the latest album, I don't know what to make of it yet.  

Try their Changing Places, Being There, or The Ground.  Probably The Ground is a good album to get a feel for their style.