In dark alleys: five new jazz albums

April is full of the intoxicating spirit of renewal. And it happens every year. And, thank God, for more than a hundred years, new jazz albums have been released at this time. April 19 of the XXI century is the return from oblivion of legendary figures, a bold experiment in a difficult duet format and something almost impossible-a solo album on a non-isolating instrument. As well as a lot of interesting author’s compositions. A hundred years ago, probably none of this collection would have been labeled “jazz” (or “jass” as the word was then spelled), but so what?

Larry Grenadier “the Gleaners” double bass Solo albums are not released every day. Here is in direct sense — solo, without other instruments at all! Even solo double bass pieces are rare, let alone entire programs. Continue reading →