Articles by Andrew Schinder
Buster Williams: Pinnacle
by Andrew Schinder
Bass legend Buster Williams has built a long, prolific career traversing the innerwebs of diverse jazz styles and sub-genres, developing into a beloved sideman and one of the finest rhythmists of jazz's modern period. Williams' bass can elevate any material, and he has contributed to some of the most treasured recordings in the jazz canon, in particular supporting Kenny Barron, Woody Shaw and, of course, Herbie Hancock. But Williams has an exceptional discography of his own, if a bit overshadowed by ...
Continue ReadingSteve Wilson: Enduring Sonance
by Andrew Schinder
Virginia-born, jny: New York-based alto saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Steve Wilson has created a sonic palette overflowing with delightfulness with Enduring Sonance, Wilson's debut album. Wilson's trademark dulcet tones fill the record, which eschews any hint of difficulty or impenetrability in favor of pure pleasure and musical expertise. Enduring Sonance is calculatedly straight-ahead, an exercise in accessibility without sacrificing sophistication. Wilson is supported by a tight, powerhouse backing band. The brilliant pianist Renee Rosnes, who has a longstanding relationship with Wilson, ...
Continue ReadingSteve Wilson: Creating Sonance
by Andrew Schinder
Steve Wilson is a mainstay of the New York jazz scene. Born and raised in Hampton, Virginia, the alto saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist stood as one of the Virginia region's most acclaimed and sought-after touring and gigging musicians until his move to New York in 1987. Once settled in New York, Wilson worked. And worked. And then worked some more. Positioning himself as a “musician's musician," Wilson gradually rose to prominence as one of NYC's premier alto saxophonists and one of its most ...
Continue ReadingDave Adewumi: The Flame Beneath the Silence
by Andrew Schinder
Dave Adewumi has established himself as the next great talent in jazz trumpet. Born in New Hampshire to Nigerian immigrants, Adewumi is wizened in voice beyond his age. Having studied at both Harvard and Julliard, Adewumi went on to collaborate with such luminaries as pianist Jason Moran and trumpeter Dave Douglas (in Douglas' acclaimed Dizzy Gillespie tribute project Dizzy Atmosphere), and he has since joined star guitarist Mary Halvorson's exciting quartet project Canis Major. The trumpeter is releasing his debut ...
Continue Reading
