REPORTS

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By Jeff Dayton-Johnson

French jazz pianist Guillaume de Chassy leads a piano-clarinet-bass trio through a series of intimate, introspective adaptations of compositions by Poulenc, Prokofiev, Schubert and Shostakovich (among others) on a new record entitled Silences. From jazz, the trio borrows improvisation and empathy; from classical, the language and grammar of the compositions. Jazz and classical music are often combined, but not always happily. KUSP’s Jeff Dayton-Johnson says Silences, in its understated way, is an innovative marriage of the two musical traditions. The icing on the cake: a lush reading of the theme song to the 1945 film Adieu chérie.
Jeff Dayton-Johnson’s review of Silences at allaboutjazz.com
Jeff Dayton-Johnson’s 2007 interview with Guillaume de Chassy

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By Jeff Dayton-Johnson

The Warner Years 1986-1991

Miles Davis fans are divided on his final years.  Critics say in the 80s, especially after 1986 when he signed with Warner Brothers, Davis took his experimentation too far. Defenders argue he performed his best solos during this period and continued the innovation that had marked his career. Now this controversial part of his work is collected in one box 1986-1991 The Warner Years. 

Related:

Read Jeff Dayton-Johnson’s article at allaboutjazz.com

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 By Jeff Dayton-Johnson

San Francisco’s Keystone Korner hosted performances by Miles Davis, Bill Evans and other renowned jazz musicians.  Keystone Korner operated in the 1970s and 80 in San Francisco’s North Beach. Photographer Kathy Sloane says her own art came of age in the club.

All photos by and courtesy of Kathy Sloane.

Drummer Art Blakey with Wynton & Branford Marsalis.

Cecil Taylor.

Milt Jackson & Bobby Hutcherson.

Randy Weston.

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Sloane’s new book  Keystone Korner: Portrait Of A Jazz Club combines some of both of these stories along with numerous of her photographs and a CD of performances at the club.

Related:

Read Jeff Dayton-Johnson’s review on All About Jazz.com

Bobby Hutcherson remembers Keystone Korner