"DownBeat" - March 2011

COVER STORY
Brad Mehldau -- One of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano, Mehldau has forged a unique path that embodies the essence of improvisational exploration, classical romanticism and pop allure. His forays into melding musical idioms, in both trio and solo settings, have seen brilliant re-workings of material by contemporary songwriters alongside the ever-evolving breadth of his own catalogue of original compositions.

FEATURES
Terence Blanchard -- DB checks in with the trumpeter, bandleader, composer, film-scorer and jazz educator to discuss recently commissioned works and upcoming live shows with Brandford Marsalis.

Bob Belden -- DownBeat gets the inside scoop as producer and saxophonist Belden commences yet another massive musical adventure with a strong historical slant, Miles Espagnole.

James Genus -- He plays on TV to millions each week, but not everyone knows the electric and acoustic bassist who works with some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz.

Special Section: Summer Jazz Camp Guide -- The jazz world's guide to where to study music this summer.

Special Section: Indie Life -- This editiorial showcase explores artists and labels bubbling up from the independent scene. This edition delves into pianist Jo-Yu Chen and drummer Scott Amendola.

PLAYERS
Kenny Werner (piano)
Andy Farber (arranger/composer/reeds)
David S. Ware (saxophone)
Theo Bleckman (vocals/percussion)

BLINDFOLD TEST -- Roberta Gambarini live at Umbria Jazz Festival 2010

THE BEAT
· Vinyl Freak
· Delfeayo Marsalis launches new tribute to Duke Ellington's "Such Sweet Thunder."
· Pianist Mitchel Forman releases last Gerry Mulligan co-production.
· Caught: Tribute to Alice Coltrane at UCLA; Jazz Fest Xalapa in Mexico.

WOODSHED
· Master Class: By drummer/percussionist Billy Martin.
· Transcription: Ray Anderson trombone solo.

JAZZ ON CAMPUS
· Berklee Digital Arts Group goes to Havana, Cuba, for collaborations and performances.

REVIEWS - Hot Box
· Joe Lovano Us5, Bird Songs (Blue Note)
· Kevin Eubanks, Zen Food (Mack Avenue)
· Dave Liebman Group, Turnaround (Jazzwerks)
· Wadada Leo Smith and Ed Blackwell, The Blue Mountain's Sun Drummer (Kabell)

CD Reviews
· Plunge, Tin Fish Tango (Immersion)
· Walter Smith III, III (Criss Cross)
· Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Vitoria Suite (Decca)
· Helio Alves, Musica (Jazz Legacy)
· Omer Klein, Rockets On The Balcony (Tzadik)
· Charles Evans and Neil Shah, Live At Saint Stephens (Hot Cup)
· Mario Pavone Orange Double Tenor, Arc Suite T/Pi T/Po (Playscape)
· Magnus Broo, Swedish Wood (Moserobie)
· Jerome Sabbagh/Ben Monder/Daniel Humair, I Will Follow You (Bee Jazz)
· Agusti Fernandez/Barry Guy/Ramon Lopez, Morning Glory (Maya)
· Billy White, First Things First (Porto Franco)
· Sidi Toure, Sahel Folk (Thrill Jockey)
· Buddy Guy, Living Proof (Silvertone/Jive)
· Louis Hayes, Jazz Communicators (American Showplace)
· Chase Baird, Crosscurrent (Jazz Hang)
· Perry Robinson Trio, From A To Z (Jazzwerks)
· Terry Myers, Smiles (Arbors)
· Modern Jazz Quartet, Under the Jasmin Tree/Space (Apple/EMI)
· Benjamin Herman, Hypochristmastreefuzz (Dox)
· Xavier Charles/Ivar Grydeland/Christian Wallumrød/Ingar Zach, Dans Les Arbres (ECM)
· Microscopic Septet, Friday The Thirteenth The Micros Play Monk (Cuneiform)
· Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Journeys (Jazz Legacy)
· Trondheim Jazz Orchestra w/Joshua Redman, Triads And More (MNJ)
· Martin Wind Quartet, Get It! (Laika)
· Georg Breinschmid, Brein's World (Baumann/Preiser)
· Cynthia Felton, Come Sunday (Felton Entertainment)

Jazz
· Soulive, Rubber Soulive (Royal Family)
· Bob Mintzer with Larry Goldings and Peter Erskine, Canyon Cove
· Jared Gold, Out of Line (Posi-tone)
· Corey Christiansen, Outlaw Tractor (Origin)
· City Champs, The Set Up (Electraphonic)
· Joey DeFrancesco, One Take (Alma)

Blues
· Ana Popovic, Trasimeno Lake [DVD] (Artist Exclusive)
· Arsen Shomakhov, On The Move (Blues Leaf)
· Lynwood Slim & Igor Prado Band, Brazilian Kicks (Delta Groove)
· Latvian Blues Band, Unreal (Blue Skunk)
· Rich DelGrosso & John Del Toro, Timeslips (Mandolin Blues label)
· Andrea Marr, Little Sister Got Soul! (Blue Skunk)
· Joanne Shaw Taylor, Diamonds in the Dirt (Ruf)
· Claude Hay, Deep Fried Satisfied (Ingot Rock)
· Colosseum, Live '05 (Ruf)

Beyond
· Marcos Valle, Estatica (Far Out)
· Rodrigo Maranhão, Passagei (Universal, Brazil)
· Paula Morelenbaum & João Donato, Água (Biscoito Fino)
· Kiko Dinucci, Na Boca Dos Outros (Demonta)
· Vanessa Da Mata, Bicicletas Bolos E Outras Alegrias
· Satanique Samba Trio, Bad Trip Simulator #2

Historical
· The Complete Novus and Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill and Air (Mosaic)

Book Review
· Harvey Cohen, Duke Ellington's America (University of Chicago Press)