Darren Arthurs, Author at Jazz Journal

Reviewed: Andy Hague Big Band | Stephane Mercier | Alison Rayner Quintet

Darren Arthurs — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 11:55:36 +0000

Andy Hague Big Band: Live At The Lantern (Ooh-Err 10) Andy Hague is a well-respected trumpet player from Bristol and within the 10 tracks here you get a snippet of what to expect if you catch his big band in action. The recording seems a little bit “bootleg” (by that I mean it’s not too […]

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Reviewed: Adam Ben Ezra | Matt Booth | Elliot Galvin

Darren Arthurs — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:20:05 +0000

Adam Ben Ezra: Heavy Drops (adambenezra.com) Back in 2012 a video kept appearing on my social media. It featured a man in a hat playing double bass with a black labrador sleeping happily to the right of the screen. At the time I was taking the leap from electric bass to double bass so I […]

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Reviewed: Bloodcog | Richard Davies | Yellowjackets | The New York Second

Darren Arthurs — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 16:37:14 +0000

Bloodcog: Staged (whi music – whi020) There is an old saying here in the UK: “One’s man muck is another man’s brass”, and, in the arena of jazz – especially in improvisational jazz – one’s man noise is another man’s music. Where you stand when it comes to Bloodcog will depend on if you can […]

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Reviewed: Boom Yeh | Jazz Sabbath | David Bitelli and Ollie Usiskin | Les Hommes

Darren Arthurs — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 12:07:56 +0000

Boom Yeh: Near-Earth Objects (Cosmosium Records) Immediately the music of London-based group Boom Yer reminds of those late 90s bands Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies so it’s no surprise that some of the musicians on show here have toured and played with these bands. It’s toe-tapping, percussive-heavy instrumental music with the emphasis on getting […]

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Reviewed: Giuseppe Venezia | Calgaréal | Avishai Cohen | Kristin Korb | Scott Colley, Edward Simon, Brian Blade

Darren Arthurs — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:36:06 +0000

Without realising it, this month has been a treat for someone who appreciates the sound of the bass. I have the new releases from Avishai Cohen, Kristin Korb and Giuseppe Venezia in my pile for November and I can’t wait to jump into the deep lows that the instrument offers. I start with… Giuseppe Venezia: […]

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Reviewed: Happy Apple: New York CD | Sol Jang Trio: 19-29 | Twin Talk: Twin Talk Live

Darren Arthurs — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 12:31:04 +0000

I have never considered the month of October to be associated with jazz trios but for some unknown reason the bands I’ve chosen to listen to and write about are all three-pieces. We start with: Happy Apple: New York CD (Sunnyside Records SC1751) Minneapolis-based Happy Apple, who have been going for 25 years, have been […]

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They Shot The Piano Player

Darren Arthurs — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 12:10:41 +0000

Simply put this is the graphic novel version of the 2023 movie of the same name that centres around the disappearance of Brazilian pianist Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior (or Tenório Jnr for short). He was one of the most recognised musicians of the samba-jazz movement who, on 18 March 1976, shortly after playing a gig […]

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Reviewed: Myra Brownbridge | Paul Carlon Quintet | Mark Cherrie Quartet

Darren Arthurs — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:47:58 +0000

I always find this time of year to be about more than kids returning to school and the dreaded start of months ending in “ber”. The mornings get darker, and leaves turn from green to browns and reds and I find myself listening to music more often and, with it, my choices widen. Myra Brownbridge: […]

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DigDogDo: Evolution

Darren Arthurs — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 20:06:08 +0000

Swedish guitar, organ and drums plus guests play with strong technique and invention on melodic sequences over swing and funk rhythms

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Mute: After You’ve Gone

Darren Arthurs — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 09:01:00 +0000

NY band featuring traditional piano trio and suona mix post-bop with oriental reverie and an abstract reharmonisation of After You've Gone

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