Tag Archives: david binney

Something Brand-New from Pianist Markus Gottschlich and Something Brand-Old from Pianist Edward Simon

Markus Gottschlich’s keen mind, lively imagination, and positive energy helped rejuvenate the New Mexico Jazz Workshop during his all too brief residence as its executive director in 2019. Those same qualities inform his compositional skills, and his dazzling pianism gives full rein to his expressive spirit, as heard on his latest recording, Found Sounds (available November 27). With 25 Years, Edward Simon treats us to a self-curated tour through some of the high points of his two and a half decades of recorded work, reminding us that he deserves to be ranked among the foremost practitioners of his art.

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Steel House Offers Intelligence and Grace at the Outpost

Steel House: Scott Colley, Edward Simon, Brian Blade

Steel House, a leaderless trio made up of Edward Simon (piano, keyboards), Scott Colley (bass), and Brian Blade (drums, pump organ), offers expressive original music whose inviting transparency is suffused with intelligence and grace. On Friday, November 15, the trio will grace the stage at the Outpost for what promises to be a highlight of the musical season.

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Antonio Sanchez Flows Free and Easy

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Antonio Sanchez, New Life (CamJazz)
A Review

You know the old joke: “What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?”

“A drummer.” Fid-a-boomp.

Maybe we should reformulate that: “What do you call musicians who hang out with drummer Antonio Sanchez?”

“Lucky.”

That reworking comes on the heels of listening to New Life, the latest release from this melodic drummer, whose résumé includes outstanding work with Pat Metheny, Danilo Pérez, Gary
Burton, and Miguel Zenón, among others. The album delivers an affirmation of hope and
confidence, showcasing Sanchez’s rich compositional talents as well as the improvisational mastery of the top-drawer lineup: David Binney (alto sax), Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), John
Escreet (piano and Rhodes), and Matt Brewer (bass), with special guest Thana Alexa (voice).

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