Email Author Jim Macnie

2012 Stories by Jim Macnie

• Herbie Hancock

  published March 7, 2012

  Don't let his so-so pop moves ever fool you into thinking that his jazz chops are by the board. Hancock's exquisite sense of interplay makes his... More >>

• Tom Rainey Trio

  published March 7, 2012

  The first half of the Stone's March calendar is dedicated to the Swiss Intakt label, and if there's a through-line binding these artists, it's a... More >>

• Matt Mitchell

  published February 29, 2012

  This pianist is currently making a mark with saxophonist Tim Berne's Snakeoil, and Berne’s rigorous flow of phrases fits snuggly in... More >>

• Linda Oh

  published February 22, 2012

  Tonight the bassist Linda Oh makes her first outing with a new trumpet trio, but looking at her work over the last couple of years we can count on... More >>

• Ben Wolfe

  published February 22, 2012

  This bassist continuously puts himself at the center of sharp little bands that can pull off just about anything: If Wolfe wants lyricism, they... More >>

• Ben Wendel

  published February 15, 2012

  The Kneebody saxophonist has proven his chops in myriad local gigs during the past few years. And while hearing him play in a trio setting is a... More >>

• Amir ElSaffar's Two Rivers Ensemble

  published February 15, 2012

  It’s hard not to be swept away with last year’s Inana, the trumpeter’s valentine to a Mesopotamian goddess of carnal... More >>

• Johnathan Blake

  published February 15, 2012

  He has kicked lots of ass in the Mingus Big Band, but the drummer’s forte is finesse. You can hear it as he scoots around a wide artistic... More >>

• Luis Perdomo

  published February 15, 2012

  We were waiting for this valuable pianist to make a record that truly reps his chops, and the new Universal Mind does the job. It’s... More >>

• Enrico Rava Quintet

  published February 15, 2012

  The Italian trumpeter comes through town whenever a new disc drops, and Tribe offers a program that brings out Rava’s strength, the... More >>

• Chris Lightcap's Big Mouth

  published February 1, 2012

  The power of this band's concentrated sweep can be fierce: The two reeds up front spend plenty of time bobbing and weaving, but when bassist... More >>

• Pete Robbins

  published February 1, 2012

  The alto saxophonist addresses melodies in two ways: He either flits around them or digs into them. His latest live disc finds him making hay with... More >>

• Fred Hersch

  published February 1, 2012

  Pliability defines the pianist's work with bassist John Hébert and drummer Eric McPherson. The two are always tugging at each other, but... More >>

• David Sanchez

  published January 25, 2012

  The tenor virtuoso's version of frenzy is built on a clever cranking of the elements surrounding him—one of those "It takes a village"... More >>

• The Cookers

  published January 25, 2012

  Want to see how experience counts? Spend an evening with Billy Harper, Billy Hart, and their veteran associates as they crank through some of the... More >>

• Keith Jarrett

  published January 18, 2012

  Last year’s Rio was a high-water mark for the pianist’s storied solo outings: The record struck a keen balance between endless... More >>

• Luciana Souza

  published January 18, 2012

  Souza’s jazz bonafides have been proven in her several breathtaking encounters with guitarist Romero Lubambo. There, her throaty chirp flits... More >>

• Andrew D'Angelo, Kirk Knuffke, Ben Street, & Kenny Wolleson

  published January 18, 2012

  Saxophonist D’Angelo’s expressionistic wails give bluster a lyrical slant, as even the harshest moments arrive with poignancy in hand.... More >>

• Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, and Joey Baron

  published January 11, 2012

  Drummer Baron, whose dedication to detail is inspiring, replaces the recently departed Paul Motian, and his longtime association with guitarist... More >>

• Miguel Zenon Quartet

  published January 11, 2012

  Alma Adentro showed up on several Best of 2011 lists (and its large ensemble charts are sweet indeed) but when leading his foursome, the... More >>

• CHILL OUT

  published January 4, 2012

  At first, it was a hoot because of all of the bands you could see for a dirt-cheap flat fee. After several years, it has become a better-be-there... More >>

• Kris Davis Quinet

  published January 4, 2012

  Her recent Aeriol Piano kept listeners on the edge of their seats, a solo disc teaming with craggy lyricism and fetching conundrums. The... More >>