IMMANUEL WILKINS

The music of saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins is filled with empathy and conviction, bonding arcs of melody and lamentation to pluming gestures of space and breath. Listeners were introduced to this riveting sound with his acclaimed debut album Omega, which was named the #1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times. The album also introduced his remarkable quartet with Micah Thomas on piano, Daryl Johns on bass, and Kweku Sumbry on drums, a tight-knit unit that Wilkins features once again on his stunning sophomore album The 7th Hand.

The 7th Hand explores relationships between presence and nothingness across an hour-long suite comprised of seven movements. “I wanted to write a preparatory piece for my quartet to become vessels by the end of the piece, fully,” says the Brooklyn-based, Philadelphia-raised artist who Pitchfork said “composes ocean-deep jazz epics.”

Conceptually, the record evolves what Wilkins begins exploring on Omega, which included a four-part suite within the album. On The 7th Hand, all his compositions represent movements, played in succession. “They deal with cells and source material like a suite would,” says Wilkins, “but they function as songs, as well.”

While writing, Wilkins began viewing each movement as a gesture bringing his quartet closer to complete vesselhood, where the music would be entirely improvised, channeled collectively. “It’s the idea of being a conduit for the music as a higher power that actually influences what we’re playing,” he says. The 7th Hand derives its title from a question steeped in Biblical symbolism: If the number 6 represents the extent of human possibility, Wilkins wondered what it would mean — how it would sound — to invoke divine intervention and allow that seventh element to possess his quartet.

Wilkins often draws inspiration from critical thought. Even the striking album artwork challenges convention: “I wanted to remix the Southern Black baptism, and also provide critique on what is considered sanctified and who can be baptized.”

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

MACHADO MIJIGA

Multi-instrumentalist and Portland native Machado Mijiga wears many hats, both literally and metaphorically. Classically-trained, jazz-weathered, and eclectically inclined, Mijiga left the proverbial creative “box” at a very early age, with access to many instruments and a diverse musical background brought about by an intercultural heritage.
Mijiga is a musical polymath; composer, producer, bandleader, educator, gear fanatic, and audio engineer, to name a few. Authenticity and uniquity assume the locus of Mijiga’s artistic identity. Self-expression is the prime directive, and the medium of choice changes like the weather.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

CHUCK ISRAELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Chuck Israels is a composer/arranger/bassist who has worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane, and many others.  He is best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio from 1961 through 1966 and for his pioneering accomplishments in Jazz Repertory as Director of the National Jazz Ensemble from 1973 to 1981.

Among Chuck’s many recordings as a bassist, some outstanding ones include: Coltrane Time, with John Coltrane; My Point of View, with Herbie Hancock;  Getz au Go-Go, with Stan Getz; and many recordings with the Bill Evans Trio, including The Town Hall Concert; The Second Trio; Trio ’65; Live at the Trident; Time Remembered; and  Live at Shelley’s Manne Hole.

Recently retired from directing the jazz studies program at Western Washington University, Chuck has moved to Portland, OR to work in its vibrant jazz community and participate in his favorite Northwest city’s cultural life.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

EUGENIE JONES

with Saxophonist Maureese Itson, pianist Nick Allison, bassist James Clark, drummer John Oliver

Singer/Songwriter Eugenie Jones is an exceptional vocalist and cleverly gifted lyricist who has released highly-praised, primarily original, vocal projects. Her current release – Players – was a Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy® contender and internationally ranked #7 on Jazz Week’s top 50 charts. Jones is additionally an Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year award recipient and the first vocal recording artist to receive Earshot’s Recording of the Year Golden Ear award.

A warm, engaging entertainer, she’s described by critics as an artist that “can make you feel jazz,” and she and her recordings have received favorable coverage in every major jazz publication, including DownBeat, JazzTimes, JazzIz, The Gazette/NY, and many others. Described as a “deft vocalist,” Jones has also proven to be a skillful songwriter, releasing 29 originals on her recordings.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

The Jazz Voyager

The Jazz Voyager is off to Canada for a first time experience at Frankie’s Jazz Club in British Columbia. Located in Vancouver at 755 Beatty Street V6B 2M4. This week I’m going to witness three young up and coming musicians, guitarist Alvin Brendan, keyboardist Benjamin Millman, and drummer Trent Otter.

A home to live jazz and blues, Frankie’s features local, national and international world class musicians. They offer an evening of casual intimacy with a selection of spirits and wine coupled with an Italian menu to enjoy music to.

Frankie’s Jazz Club phone number is +1 604-688-6368. For more information on showtimes and tickets visit https://www.frankiesjazzclub.ca/

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

« Older Posts       Newer Posts »
© Notorious Jazz 2025