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Finn Wiest Quintet: Aurora
by Carl Medsker
"Music chooses her musicians." --Patricia Barber In a small town in southern Germany, Finn Wiest heard her call and picked up the drumsticks at a young age. He worked his way to the Conservatory of Cologne, winning competitions and awards. New York City beckoned, where, in 2024, he earned a Master's degree from the City College of New York while also honing his skills as a busy sideman. Aurora (Self Produced, 2025) is the first release of his ...
Continue ReadingKneebody: Dr. Beauchef, Penguin Dentist
by Mike Jacobs
If you hadn't already become acquainted with Kneebody in 2005, this track--even without the quirky idiosyncratic title--plainly announced to the music world what unique conceptual paradigm-busters the young collective promised to be. ...
Continue ReadingThe Wee Trio with Fabian Almazán: Climb
by Geno Thackara
Despite any connotations, the spirit of The Wee Trio is a pretty big one--big energy, wide imagination, and on 2016's Wee +3 (Bionic Records), the larger-than-life sound they make with good friends sitting in to make something more than the mere parts. ...
Continue ReadingBilly Bang: Peaceful Dreams
by Carl Medsker
Developing a unique, recognizable voice is a vital accomplishment for a jazz musician. Within a few notes, there is no mistaking the distinctive violin of Billy Bang. In nearly every aspect of the instrument, he was singular: timbre, articulation, bowing technique, percussive use of the bow, pizzacto playing, glissandos, phrasing and yes, the occasional dissonance. He once said he was influenced more by saxophonists than string musicians. Categorizing Bang as avant-garde exposes the limitation of labels. While energetic, free flights ...
Continue ReadingMats Öberg Trio - Hermeto's Cheese (Live at Nyhetsmorgon)
by Mike Jacobs
Swedish phenom Mats Öberg is primarily known for his Zappa-esque keyboard work as part of the Mats/ Morgan Band (his longtime duo-led group with drummer Morgan Agren). In more recent years, Öberg has taken some solo piano and piano trio-oriented musical departures--the latter taking him more squarely into jazz territory. Witness the Mats Oberg Trio's “Hermeto's Cheese," with all those iconoclastic influences funneled into what might be termed as a 'Dave Brubeck 5/8 on steroids.' ...
Continue ReadingVahe Sarkissian: Sepastia Groove
by Mike Jacobs
On “Sepastia Groove," Philly-based guitarist Vahe Sarkissian delivers an ethno-jazz-rock concoction that speaks as much to his Armenian roots as it does to his unique facility as an instrumentalist. From his album, Curcuna (Self Produced, 2022). ...
Continue ReadingDapp Theory: In The Moment
by Mike Jacobs
This instrumental track from Dapp Theory's breakout album, Y'all Just Don't Know (Concord, 2003), bursts at the seams with Andy Milne's sonic vision, as well as some great improvisational mastery from him and his bandmates. Featuring Sean Rickman, Gregoire Maret, Rich Brown and David Gilmore. ...
Continue ReadingSteve Morse: Highland Wedding
by Geno Thackara
For someone who had been masterminding the countryfied rock-jazzgrass fusion of the Dixie Dregs for years, it's no surprise that Steve Morse makes sliding into more entirely different niches sound like child's play. Gentle folk crossed with some quasi-prog guitar heroics instead? Why the heck not. ...
Continue ReadingProject Z: Rainbow
by Mike Jacobs
From the late Ricky Keller's pensive introductory piano motif to Jimmy Herring's rare acoustic workout, to the Reverend Oliver Wells' jubilant piano out-solo, “Rainbow," the Jeff Sipe (aka Apt. Q258)-penned 9/8 vehicle, is a Project Z ride well worth taking. ...
Continue ReadingOnilu: Estuary Stew
by Carl Medsker
The trio Onilu (which means drummers in the Yoruba language) utilizes a dizzying array of percussion instruments. Shekere, mbira, congas, batá drums, cajóns, alfaia, clave, clay drums, tympani, various idiophones, guagua, tongue drum, vibraphone, marimba and both electro-acoustic and standard drum kits are employed. Although used sparingly, a piano is also embraced as a valid member. Joe Chambers, Kevin Diehl and Chad Taylor blend their considerable talents and expert knowledge of Afro-Cuban and West African cultures and traditions ...
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