98 stories by "Michael Ullman"
Ornette Coleman's music was avant-garde but, perhaps unconsciously, his notion of art as an improvisational lyrical adventure was deeply American.
Given that these two virtuoso pianists were in a jubilant, hometown mood, this was a concert that could hardly fail to please.
Gradually, Clark Terry developed on the trumpet the rounded, full tone that became so distinctive.
Made up of Boston-based musicians, the Laszlo Gardony Quartet is one of the city's under-recognized treasures.
Despite the monaural sound, these gloriously performed string quartets remain my favorite Haydn recordings.
Jazz fans with open ears should rush to this book: so should anyone interested in the creative process, its rewards as well as its challenges.
Despite their somewhat muffled sound, both sets are valuable documents, not least because we hear the under-recorded Gabor Szabo in duet with Charles Lloyd.
A vigorous and admiring tribute to Jan Jarczyk, a man his daughter called "a whirlwind of creativity."
Jim Hall sounds at his best on these newly issued duets. So does Charlie Haden, whose plangent sound has rarely, if ever, been captured so well.
Free and fluid as it was, the set made memorable sense to the packed crowd at the Lily Pad.
Wadada Leo Smith's latest album features a series of miraculous performances that give a new meaning to freedom: the sometimes lengthy and airily open improvisations take us on journeys but …
With their expert handling of powerfully understated compositions, this trio's performances insinuate themselves into your mind and age there like fine wine.
Pianist Fred Hersch's ballad playing is one of the special treats of contemporary jazz.
Gilbert Kalish's recital is as distinguished and appealing as one would expect.
"One of the great things about improvisation is that it teaches you the importance of the moment and how to live in that moment and place importance on this life and making this life better."
The first part of the evening worked: Robert Pinsky was a good enough actor, his poetry was sufficiently transparent, and Vijay Iyer proved to be a brilliant accompanist.
The point of the Spring Quartet, one assumes, is to showcase its four multi-talented members, particularly their talents as composers.
The Matt Wilson Quartet prides itself on variety: the band can play ersatz Indian music, free jazz, and funky rhythm and blues, as well as an occasional touching ballad.
Amongst the acoustic live sessions, listeners should be delighted with the Chick Corea-Herbie Hancock duets.
One doesn't come away from a Wayne Shorter Quartet performance merely raving about individual accomplishments: the set on Sunday night never felt like a compelling sequence of solos.
The set was thrilling, full of the most intelligent byplay, and consistently songful. Chamber music doesn't get any better than this.
Ralph Alessi's compositions are flexible rather than tightly organized, yet their initial statements are strong enough to dominate even the freest group improvisations that follow.
One of the remarkable aspects of these duets is that almost nowhere is either player -- Fred Hersch or Julian Lage -- reduced to mere comping.
