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Jazz Articles about Steve Wilson
Classic Jazz from Sonny Rollins, Kenny Dorham, and others; recently released music from Steve Wilson, Snarky Puppy, and more
by David W. Daniels
In addition to the artists mentioned above, classic jazz vocals from Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine together, and Gloria Lynn are included in this week's show as well as other instrumental artists. A pending release from the Helen Sung Big Band is sampled, and new music from The Sistering and Altin Sencalar is featured. Birthday recognition for Benito Gonzalez, Gil Evans, Billy Cobham, and others is provided in this week's show.Playlist Steve Turre “Exploration" from Sanctified Shells (Antilles) ...
Continue ReadingSteve Wilson: Enduring Sonance
by Andrew Schinder
Virginia-born, 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, is ...
Continue ReadingDidier Lockwood: Storyboard (Vinyl Reissue)
by Artur Moral
You might sometimes wonder about the usefulness of reissues--and all the more so in these times when many past gems, though physically unobtainable, are just a click away on the various content platforms. Setting aside die-hard audiophiles, tactile purists and compulsive completists, the truth is that these new pressings represent a golden opportunity for those unfamiliar with the original albums to discover them in all their voluptuous vintage tangibility. And for those who have already savored them, there is that ...
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 ReadingMaria Schneider Orchestra: American Crow
by Dan McClenaghan
Maria Schneider has a thing for birds. Credible sources have reported sightings of the jazz composer frequenting Central Park wearing a floppy hat, a pair of binoculars hanging from her neck. Her 20-plus minute “Cerulean Skies," from her album (one of her masterpieces) Sky Blue (ArtistShare, 2007) speaks to her love for birds; her fascination with their migratory nature and their arduous flights, which span continents and beyond. The composition “Bluebird," from the “Our Natural World"' half of her 2-disc ...
Continue ReadingAnthony Branker: Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit
by Dan McClenaghan
At the time of this writing (early 2026), the United States is beset by an odious president, a racist sociopath who seems hellbent on erasing all references to achievement or success of anyone of African descent--leaving aside that we are all of African descent; but some made the relocation to North America involuntarily. Stubborn resistance and unvarnished artistic statement--shoulders pulled back, chins jutting forward--are tools to fight the evil fool(s), and Anthony Branker does his part. Uppity (2013), ...
Continue ReadingJamile with Miki Yamanaka and her trio plus Steve Wilson: Pursuit of a Pulse
by Katchie Cartwright
Jamile Staevie Ayres, who goes professionally by her first name, was born and raised in Cachoeira do Sul, a midsize city located a couple of hours from Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil, and the heart of its gaúcho culture. Growing up, she gravitated toward música popular brasileira (MPB) and Black popular music of the US. Gal Costa and Aretha Franklin were her two big vocal heroines. She took her undergraduate degree in Brazil ...
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