New Jazz

January 25, 2005 5:22 PM

I just scored a bimonthly live dj gig, the theme of which is jazz. I am pretty well grounded in the classics, and am into modern bands/peeps such as Happy Apple, D. Krall and Charlie Hunter, I was wondering what people out there suggest looking at for brand new jazz, what is exciting nowadays?
posted by edgeways to Media & Arts (21 answers total)

Its sort of lounge-jazz, but I really love the Hotel Costes series by Stéphane Pompougnac. Also check out Nicola Conte, and other artists on the Schema label, as well as Montefiori Cocktail and the Irma label. Then there's the Verve Remixed series.
posted by gen at 5:58 PM on January 25, 2005

The Bad Plus. Nu jazz.
posted by Vidiot at 6:29 PM on January 25, 2005

It might help if we knew more about the gig.

On the avant garde end, I have lately enjoyed Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Steve Coleman.

If it's a hip-hop kind of crowd, there's Live Human, Thirsty Ear's series of collaborations and Madlib's work under the YNQ and Monk Hughes aliases. (Also, hip-hop crowds love sample sources. '70s-era Blue Note is a gold mine--think Grant Green, Duke Pearson, Bobby Hutcherson, Lou Donaldson...)

Or, if the people want standards, it's hard to go wrong with Cassandra Wilson's middle period, or the less-popular two Madeleine Peyroux albums.

And get the newly-released Quincy Jones/Bill Cosby material. More people need to hear that stuff.
posted by box at 6:58 PM on January 25, 2005

I love Bill Frisell, especially the bluesy album he did with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones, and the album he did with Dave Douglas called Strange Liberation. What Goes Around by The Dave Holland Big Band has been in my playlist for a few months now. I absolutely love Khmer and Recoloured: The Remix Album by Nils Petter Molvaer. And most everything by Us3, which is a nice mix of funk and more traditional stuff. And for Latin jazz, the Calle 54 soundtrack is fabulous.

I know you asked for new stuff, but I can't over-recommend The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions and The Complete Birth of the Cool by Miles Davis...damn there's some great music on there. And almost everything Herbie Hancock did in the 70's (for more funky stuff).

I couldn't agree more with box, Quincy is the man.
posted by biscotti at 7:39 PM on January 25, 2005

The Necks.
Arve Henriksen.
posted by anathema at 7:44 PM on January 25, 2005

There are some great suggestions in this thread.
posted by icey at 8:20 PM on January 25, 2005

Response by poster: The only constraint is... jazz, other than that is it is up to me to pick the music I like to play (as long as it doesn't actively drive the clientele away), think broad spectrum, mostly open minded music likers. I might not be able to get away with intense C. Taylor free jazz (which I like a bunch), but most things are up for consideration.

So am seeking to broaden my horizons... Got the Quincy Jones/Bill Cosby bit recently. And it looks like I got some good things to check out...

As I said I got the old stuff covered, so, yes, Davis and Hancock are included in that, I agree great stuff. I appriciate the tempation to throw in some classics, but don't worry its covered. :)

thanks guys keep em coming if you got 'em

Slide your jib, wether you prefer the gabriels or the hide-beaters it's all solid murder

I start in a set of seven brights so got a little time.

?
posted by edgeways at 8:31 PM on January 25, 2005

Brad Mehldau. I particularly like the Live at the Village Vanguard album.

Tom Harrell. Labyrinth is a favorite.
posted by dontoine at 8:59 PM on January 25, 2005

Second both Brad Mehldau and Tom Harrell. I'll never forget seeing Tom Harrell play live; I'd never heard of him and was stunned at how great he was.

Joe Lovano is good too.
posted by Vidiot at 10:26 PM on January 25, 2005

I just got back from seeing David Binney and friends (Chris Potter, Brian Blade, Adam Rogers, Scott Colley, Craig Taborn). This band played on Binney's latest album Welcome to Life. A similar group (with Uri Caine on piano) played on South.

Chris Potter is a wonderful soloist, and his work as a leader is also high quality. Lift, Live at Village Vanguard is his latest.

I've heard good things about Craig Taborn's latest album, Junk Magic even though I haven't listened to it yet.

I second the recommendation for The Bad Plus.

Soulive is a bit funkier and a lot of fun.

Also check out James Carter and Jeff Coffin
posted by andrewraff at 10:34 PM on January 25, 2005

jason moran?
posted by juv3nal at 12:09 AM on January 26, 2005

Pretty much anything by the Jazz Composers Collective.
posted by Captaintripps at 12:20 AM on January 26, 2005

Something like Low Res: Blue Ramen.
posted by gsb at 2:58 AM on January 26, 2005

If you're at all interested in what's new in big bands, definitely check out Metal Beauty by Free Fair +8. Also, The Bob Mintzer Big Band Live at MCG with Kurt Elling.
posted by rxrfrx at 3:16 AM on January 26, 2005

David S. Ware

The Chicago Underground Duo/Trio

Isotope 217
posted by sic at 6:35 AM on January 26, 2005

for some stuff outside of the normal jazz scene, i highly recommend Cinematic Orchestra, and i think some of the recent jazzy 'post rock' sortof stuff, like Doug Scharin's HiM and Do Make Say Think are worth checking out
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 7:05 AM on January 26, 2005

I recommend my friend and coworker's band, Vector Trio. Trumpet, drums and bass, but the angle is that the trumpet player (my friend) makes use of sampling loops of his own trumpet playing. Cool in the studio, true, but he does it live, which is groovy because they are primarily an improvisational band.
posted by terrapin at 7:15 AM on January 26, 2005

May I recommend some Swedish stuff?
Check out Jonas Kullhammar and his label Moserobie.
Also, E.S.T.
posted by mr.marx at 1:03 PM on January 26, 2005

Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls.
Triage (Dave Rempis/Jason Ajemian/A Drummer)
Von Freeman
Food
Supersilent (you'll want to go with 5 or 6 as lots of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are rather noisy)
posted by kenko at 1:17 PM on January 26, 2005

if cinematic orchestra is okay, then you may want to check out skalpel as well.
posted by juv3nal at 6:58 PM on January 26, 2005

On the Cinematic Orchestra front: Koop leans a bit more toward the electronica side, but they've got some good stuff; and Kyoto Jazz Massive ain't bad.
posted by Tlogmer at 7:18 PM on January 26, 2005