Kevin Whitehead

Kevin Whitehead appears in the following:

Remembering Dutch Jazz Pianist And Composer Misha Mengelberg

Wednesday, March 08, 2017

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead remembers Mengelberg, who died Friday, as a "musical anarchist" who taught classical counterpoint and wrote dozens of catchy melodies.

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Alto Saxophonist Miguel Zenón Evokes Folkloric Melodies On 'Típico'

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The Puerto Rican jazz musician leads his long-running quartet on his new album. Critic Kevin Whitead says Típico is full of "feverishly intricate music that ... comes from the heart."

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'Jumpin' At The Woodside' Catches Count Basie And His Band Honing Their Art

Monday, February 13, 2017

A new sampler features live cuts of Count Basie's band in New York from 1938 to 1940. Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead says Jumpin' at the Woodside is full of "pretty terrific" music.

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BassDrumBone Marks 40 Years Of Playing Together With 'The Long Road'

Monday, January 23, 2017

Trombonist Ray Anderson, bassist Mark Helias and drummer Gerry Hemingway first played together as a trio in 1977. Critic Kevin Whitehead says their new double album proves they can still deliver.

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Remembering The Jazz Greats Who Died In 2016

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Critic Kevin Whitehead remembers the jazz notables who died this year, including vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, singer/pianist Mose Allison, pianist Paul Bley and trumpeter Paul Smoker.

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6 Jazz Virtuosos Share The Stage In 'The Concert Of The Century'

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Kevin Whitehead reviews a newly released recording of the '80 Montreal concert in which Dizzy Gillespie is joined by jazz legends Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Ray Brown, James Moody and Philly Joe Jones.

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Mary Halvorson Leaves Some Room For Weirdness In 'Away With You'

Thursday, December 01, 2016

Halvorson, a prolific jazz guitarist, plays with harmonies and melodies as she leads an eight-piece band on her new album. Critic Kevin Whitehead calls Away With You "richer than ever."

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Wadada Leo Smith Celebrates The Centennial Of America's National Parks

Monday, October 17, 2016

Five decades after Smith began recording, the trumpeter and composer is having his moment. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews America's National Parks, recorded by Smith's Golden Quintet.

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Two New Records Showcase The Range Of Jazz Drummer Andrew Cyrille

Monday, October 03, 2016

Proximity highlights the potential of the drums, while The Declaration of Musical Independence emphasizes soundscapes. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Cyrille's albums are a study in contrasts.

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Jim Black's Trio Comes Into Its Own With A Lovely, 'Constant' Album

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Drummer Jim Black slips rock-ish beats beats under a jazz groove on his trio's new album. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the sound on The Constant has a distinctive edge that "pops out of the speakers."

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'Musical Monsters' Revisits A 1980 Concert By Cornet Player Don Cherry

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Cherry joined with four internationally known jazz improvisers for a playful session at a Swiss festival in 1980. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the music they made still sounds fresh 36 years later.

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New Releases Capture 'Inimitable' Tenor Saxophonist In His Neglected '70s Prime

Thursday, August 25, 2016

As one of the very first bebop tenor saxophonists, Teddy Edwards mixed awesome technique with irresistibly slinky phrases. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two reissues, Inimitable and Feelin's.

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'Unheard Bird' Gives Fresh Insight Into Charlie Parker's Musical Genius

Friday, August 19, 2016

Decades after Parker's death, a new album compiles previously unknown performances by the alto sax legend. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the record will please both jazz experts and casual listeners.

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The Enduring Musical Influence Of Electric Guitarist Charlie Christian

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Born in 1916, Christian died when he was just 25 years old. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead calls him "the single greatest influence on a signature 20th-century instrument."

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Jazz Pianist Dan Cray's 'Outside In' Features Slow Tempos, Meandering Melodies

Monday, July 18, 2016

Much of the music on Cray's new album stems from a year he spent teaching at the University of Nevada in Reno. Critic Kevin Whitehead says Outside In is a reminder of the power of open spaces.

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Jazz Legend Allen Toussaint's Touch And Timing Shine On His Last Record

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The New Orleans-based musician completed recording his final album a month before he died last November. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead calls American Tunes a "fond last look" at Toussaint's talent.

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Jazz Drummer Matt Wilson's 'Big Happy Family' Is Heartfelt And Harmonious

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Wilson, who has been leading bands for 20 years, rounds up many of those players on his new tribute album. Critic Kevin Whitehead says Big Happy Family is full of humor and heart.

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Kindred Spirits Cuong Vu And Pat Metheny Come Together In A New Jazz Album

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Growing up, trumpeter Vu found inspiration in Metheny's music. Now the two collaborate on the album, Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny. Kevin Whitehead says the record showcases their musical chemistry.

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Ralph Peterson Proves We're In A Golden Age Of Jazz Piano Trios

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Peterson's partners are two brothers who are a generation younger than him. The album Triangular III catches this working band in action.

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Power Trio Mixes Old And New, And The Result Is 'Perfection'

Friday, May 06, 2016

Jazz stars David Murray, Geri Allen and Terri Lyne Carrington first played together last year in New York. Now they come together with the new album, Perfection. Critic Kevin Whitehead has a review.

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