2011: A Year in Reviews

James Hall spoke with composer and arranger Ryan Truesdell about a project that involved recording the previously unrecorded work of Gil Evans. The project's development has been documented on ArtistShare, and features interviews with Evans' colleagues, lessons on his music, and a glimpse into the process of preparing his newly-discovered works for performance.

Douglas Detrick caught the Colin Vallon Trio at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan. He writes about their unconventional approach to the piano trio, in which dynamics were as much a part of the music as harmony or melody.

Douglas Detrick spoke to Cuong Vu about his album Leaps of Faith, on which the trumpeter brings vivacity back to "part of the body of work that people consider to be played too many times; to be beaten to death."

Jon Lindhorst reviews Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster, one of the greatest recording sessions in jazz. It features two kings of swing, Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, "dueling" it out with help from the Oscar Peterson quartet.

Douglas Detrick reviewed saxophonist Darius Jones' trio at Littlefield in Brooklyn. Jones' playing is marked by inimitable energy.

James Hall spoke to pianist Bill Carrothers about what it's like to be a jazz musician in the boonies.

Charlie Christenson interviewed vocalist Peter Eldridge about the difference between being a jazz singer and a singer who sings jazz. Also, the interview makes evident the rapport between Christenson and Eldridge, which you won't want to miss.

On Hearts Wide Open, Gilad Hekselman understates his virtuosity, and creates sweeping landscapes with hints of Americana and folk music, which is not only beautiful, but interesting since Hekselman in from Israel. Also, his music inspires saxophonist Mark Turner to take what is arguably his most soulful ever on the song "Understanding."

James Hall interviewed vocalist Theo Bleckmann about his impossible-to-classify and strikingly unique music.

Saxophonist Miguel Zenón's Alma Adentro pays hommage to some of the best Puerto Rican popular songwriters with lush and updated arrangements by Zenón, and orchestrations by Guillermo Klein.

Jonathan Lindhorst reviewed Bill McHenry's Ghosts of the Sun, which features the drummer Paul Motian in prime form. Motian passed away on November 22nd of 2011, a day after this album was released.

Jonathan Lindhorst reviewed Brooklyn Babylon, a collaboration between composer Darcy James Argue and visual artist Danijel Zezelj. The piece, which combines music with a narrative driven by live painting, tells the story of a fictional Brooklyn in which there is a struggle between city dwellers and fat cat developers.