Record Reviews

DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ~ WYNTON MARSALIS: BLUES SYMPHONY PENTATONE 8717306262323 (Barcode: 8717306262323) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2025 This is an album by the Detroit Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by the Italian conductor Jader BignaminiFind albums by this artist, who is also the orchestra’s musical director, performing the “Blues Symphony”, composed by the renown American Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist in 2009. Marsalis describes it as follows: “The Blues Symphony is a seven-movement work, that gives a symphonic identity to the form and feeling of the blues”. The recording was made in close cooperation with the composer. Wynton Marsalis is undoubtedly one of the greatest American Jazz trumpeters in all time, a highly talented Jazz composer and a renowned bandleader, as well as a respected performed of Classical Music, but he is also a highly controversial figure among the worldwide Jazz community, often accused of being intolerant and despotic. Regardless of where one finds oneself with regards to this debate, there is no denying that he knows his music, which is also obvious to anybody listening to this album. In some respects, the symphony is conceptually and aesthetically similar to earlier works, which combine the Blues / Jazz threads with Classical Music, such as those of George GershwinFind albums by this artist, Leonard BernsteinFind albums by this artist or Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist, to name just a few American composers (but there were also many European ones as well of course). My personal attitude to this amalgam is purely non-cerebral and I try to enjoy them, rather than analyze them, since purely theoretical / musical analysis often works against them, which the Yiddish phrase “nisht ahin und nisht aher” sums up perfectly. Overall, this is a very entertaining, easy-listening and enjoyable piece of music, which does not really require any serious knowledge of neither the Blues nor Symphonic Music. The orchestra performs the music superbly, the sound is very well balanced and clear, and the music is pleasant and flows elegantly, what more should one ask for?

Updated: 21/03/2025Posted: 21/03/2025

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CHARLES LLOYD ~ FIGURE IN BLUE BLUE NOTE 602478449192 (Barcode: 602478449192) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is a 2CD studio album by American saxophonist / flautist / composer / bandleader Charles LloydFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with pianist Jason MoranFind albums by this artist and guitarist Marvin SewellFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, ten of which are original compositions by Lloyd, two are by Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, one is by Leonard BernsteinFind albums by this artist and one is a traditional tune arranged by Lloyd. Following Lloyd’s 87th birthday concert performed by this trio, he took them to the studio to record this material, which is the 12th album on Blue NoteFind albums on this label by Lloyd and his second consecutive double album released year after year. This incredible, unbelievable, almost super-human productivity for a musician nearing the end of his ninth decade, is even more of a miracle, considering the quality of the music and the level of his performances, which as are smooth as a baby’s bottom. And I mean smooooth… The unusual instrumentation of saxophone, piano and guitar presets a challenge, but not a problem, au contraire the lack of a rhythm section is not felt at all and the music flows elegantly and naturally, without a hitch. Although Lloyd is the leading voice throughout the proceedings, Moran and Sewell are allowed plenty of space for improvisations and the music present a team effort, not a leader accompanied by backing musicians. One of the new aspects of the music on this album is the extensive tribute to Blues, which is truly fascinating and gives Sewell the opportunity to shine. I don’t believe it is necessary to convince anybody how beautiful and essential this music is; Lloyd’s record speaks for itself and his recorded legacy is of monumental importance. Obviously he has not made his final statement yet, which of course is a source of joy for his many followers. Overall, this is another brilliant contribution by the veteran musician, who seems to be getting younger with time, and who never disappoints. This album continues the “TriosFind albums with this title” triptych and is a sublime listening experience, not to be missed.

Updated: 05/12/2025Posted: 05/12/2025

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ROBERTO MAGRIS ~ LOVELY DAY(S) JMOOD 025 (Barcode: 736649929814) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is a solo piano album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Roberto MagrisFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, one of which is an original composition by Magris and the rest present a wide range of composers, covering a widespread stylistic range between Leonard BernsteinFind albums by this artist and Andrew HillFind albums by this artist, with some Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist and Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist in between. Seven of the tracks are studio recordings and two were recorded live. I have had the pleasure to producing a live album with Roberto in the early days of his career, which was released on my label JazzisFind albums on this label Records in 1990, and of course I have been closely following his path since then. He managed to build up an impressive career over the years, which includes dozens of albums as a leader, but strangely he never attempted a solo piano album before, which makes this album really special. Of course solo piano albums are the most “naked” form of a Jazz musician’s exposure, and this album demonstrates this phenomenon perfectly. Rather than performing his own compositions, which is always very tempting, Magris presents a selection of compositions by composers, who influenced him over the years, and which becomes in a sense a tribute to the great musicians, who inspired him. Stylistically the music covers the entire range of Jazz, including the fundamental Blues moves and the entire mainstream Jazz universe, and even touching marginally on the Avant-Garde. Although challenging, the music finds Magris completely relaxed, but fully engulfed in the music, adding his very personal touch. The fact, that the music is so diverse and performed somewhat playfully, makes listening to the music a wonderful experience, which is both entertaining and aesthetically satisfying, and as such making it accessible to a wide range of listeners from the entire Jazz spectrum. Overall, this is a beautiful solo piano Jazz album, which is as entertaining as it is educational, paying a tribute to some of Jazz most revered composers and including some rarely performed Jazz treasures. Thank you, my Friend, for the gift of music!

Updated: 12/10/2025Posted: 12/10/2025

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MCCANDLESS / TAYLOR / BALDUCCI / RABBIA ~ EVANSIANA DODICILUNE 365 (Barcode: 8033309693651) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2017 This is a brilliant, and sadly quite obscure album by the international Jazz quartet comprising of American saxophonist / clarinetist / oboist Paul McCandlessFind albums by this artist (of OregonFind albums by this artist fame), British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Italian rhythm section: bass guitarist Pierluigi BalducciFind albums by this artist and drummer Michele RabbiaFind albums by this artist. As the title (subtly) suggests, the music is a tribute to the legendary American pianist / composer Bill EvansFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are compositions by Evans and the remaining three are by Leonard BernsteinFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, all fitting the bill (sic) perfectly. The idea of the album’s producer Gabriele RampinoFind albums by this artist was to present Evan’s music in a European Jazz perspective and his choice of Taylor was of course ideal, as amongst the many great European pianists, Taylor obviously represented the same lyrical approach to Jazz composition and performance, as Evans, with a specific European flavoring naturally. The choice of McCandless was similarly accurate, as among all the American reedmen, he was always closest to the European harmonic and melancholic sensibilities, rather than traditional American Blues oriented tendencies. The two Italians complete the lineup naturally, supporting the two soloist amicably and tastefully, even if the electric bass in these circumstances might have risen a brow. Overall, this is a gentle, beautiful piece of music, which firmly belongs in every collection of recordings by John Taylor, and which can be still found on the DodiciluneFind albums on this label site, along many splendid albums this Italian label released over time. For dedicated British Jazz followers, this is of course an absolute must!

Updated: 17/03/2026Posted: 17/03/2026

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