"DownBeat" - July 2008

Cover Story
Jason Moran, Matthew Ship and Vijay Iyer — We convened three diverse, artistically adventurous pianists for a wide-ranging discussion about some of the opportunities and challenges that today’s jazz artists confront. From technology and blurring genres, to trends in jazz education and what it takes to be an “experimental” artist, the pianists engaged in a conversation as scintillating as their music.

FEATURES
Al Green — The soul legend has recorded some of the true classics of the genre. With the release of Lay It Down, his new album co-produced by Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson and James Poyser, Green has recaptured his former glory and recorded one of the most captivating soul albums in years.

Jenny Scheinman — The violinist is sure showing some ambition, releasing two albums at the same time. A jazz album finds her treading in a distinctly Americana vibe, and her vocal album, also in the Americana vein, shows that she has some crossover potential.

Kurt Rosenwinkel — One of the most influential guitarist on the scene, Rosenwinkel has developed a signature sound. We dig into his playing techniques, composition and overall musical approach to illustrate why so many young guitarists look up to him.

Victor Wooten — In an excerpt from his new book, The Music Lesson, the electric bassist offers some great advice on creating musical lines.

Master Classes: Stanley Jordan and Corey Christiansen
Transcription: George Benson on Stanley Turrrentine’s “Sugar”
GEAR BOX
• GrabAxe safety strap
• N-Tune tuner
• Waves iGTR
• Fishman Matrix Infinity undersaddle pickup
• Digidesign Eleven
• BOSS DD-7 Digital Delay pedal

TOOLSHED
• Eastman John Pisano guitar
• VOX Virage guitar
• Fender reissue pedals
• Ibanez Montage guitars

BLINDFOLD TEST — Andy Bey

PLAYERS
Sacha Perry (piano)
Giacomo Gates (voice)
Jaleel Shaw (saxophone)
Lil’ Dave Thompson (guitar)

THE BEAT
• Riffs—Jazz News From Around The Globe
• Kahil El’Zabar Re-creates Chitlin’ Circuit with Motel 6
• Musicians Band Together To Help Andrew D’Angelo
• Jazz in the Radiohead Age
• Meridian in D.C. Hosts Jazz Ambassadors Project
• The Question, Vinyl Freak
• Backstage With ... Jimmy Heath
• Caught: Drummer night at Merkin (Dafnis Prieto vs. Billy Martin); Minnesota Orchestra/Delfeayo Marsalis do Louis Armstrong; Gypsy guitar night at Jazz at Lincoln Center

WOODSHED
• Jazz on Campus: Monk Institute takes Chicago students to Utah; Bob Blumenthal textbook

REVIEWS
Hot Box
Nicholas Payton, Into The Blue (Nonesuch)
Bobby Previte & The New Bump, Set The Alarm For Monday (Palmetto)
David Sanchez, Cultural Survival (Concord Picante)
Paolo Fresu/Richard Galliano/Jan Lundgren, Mare Nostrum (ACT)

Reviews
Al Green, Lay It Down (Blue Note)
Cassandra Wilson, Loverly (Blue Note)
Sam Barsh, I Forgot What You Taught Me (RazDaz)
Kurt Rosenwinkel Group, The Remedy (ArtistShare)
Yellowjackets, Lifecycle (Heads Up)
Evan Parker, Transatlantic Art Ensemble (ECM)
Stanton Moore Trio, Empasis! (On Parenthesis) (Telarc)
Paul Bley, 12 (+6) In A Row (Hat Hut)
Marilyn Crispell, Vignettes (ECM)
Vijay Iyer, Tragicomic (Sunnyside)
Virginia Mayhew Septet, A Simple Thank You (Renma)
Saxophone Summit, Seraphic Light (Telarc)
Jeff Coffin, Mutopia (Compass)
Moss, Moss (Sunnyside)
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-latin Jazz Orchestra, Song For Chico (Zoho)
Anne Mette Iverson, Best Of The West/Many Places (Brooklyn Jazz Underground)
Toumani Diabaté, The Mandé Variations (Nonesuch)
Orchestra Baobab, Made In Dakar (Nonesuch)
Brad Mehldau Trio, Live (Nonesuch)
Jacob Young, Sideways (ECM)
Dapp Theory, Layers Of Chance (ObliqSound)
Andrew Rathbun, Affairs Of State (SteepleChase)
Wayne Escoffrey and Veneration, Hopes And Dreams (Savant)
Jaleel Shaw, Optimism (Changu)
Bobby Broom, The Way I Play (Origin)
Bennie Maupin Quartet, Early Reflections (Cryptogramophone)
Esperanza Spalding, Esperanza (Heads Up)
Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra, First Flight (Summit)
The Nuttree Quartet, Standards (Kind Of Blue)

Jazz
Hiromi, Beyond Standard (Telarc)
Marcin Wasilewski Trio, January (ECM)
Taylor Eigsti, Let It Come To You (Concord)
Robert Walter, Cure All (Palmetto)
Misha Alperin, Her First Dance (ECM)
Russ Lossing/John Hebert, Line Up (Hat Hut)

Blues
Marcia Ball, Peace, Love & BBQ (Alligator)
Eden Brent, Mississippi Number One (Yellow Dog)
Beverley Skeete, Unchained (Vocaphone)
Sharrie Williams, I’m Here To Stay (Electro-Fi)
Layla Zoe, Hoochie Coochie Woman (LZM)
Deering & Down, Break This Record (Glow)

DVD
Pat Metheny Group, Imaginary Day Live (Eagle Eye Media)
Quincy Jones, 50 Years In Music—Live At Montreux 1996 (Eagle Eye Media)
Remember Shakti, The Way Of Beauty (Sunnyside)
Michel Petrucciani, The Art of Jazz (Dreyfus)
Bud Shank, Against The Tide (Jazzed Media)
Elvin Jones, Jazz Machine (View)
Wynton Marsalis, Congo Square (Shanachie)

Historical
Blue Note: A Story Of Modern Jazz (EuroArts/Naxos)
Joe Zawinul: A Musical Portrait (Arthaus Musik/Naxos)
Play Your Own Thing: A Story Of Jazz In Europe (EuroArts/Naxos)

Books
Christopher Holt, Strange Brew (Jawbone)
Paul Myers, It Ain’t Easy (Greystone)
Don Breithaupt, Aja (Continuum)