Pharoah Sanders

Born: October 13, 1940

Pharoah Sanders possesses one of the most distinctive tenor saxophone sounds in jazz. Harmonically rich and heavy with overtones, Sanders’ sound can be as raw and abrasive as it is possible for a saxophonist to produce. Yet, Sanders is highly regarded to the point of reverence by a great many jazz fans. Although he made his name with expressionistic, nearly anarchic free jazz in John Coltrane’s late ensembles of the mid-’60s, Sanders’ later music is guided by more graceful concerns.

The hallmarks of Sanders’ playing at that time were naked aggression and unrestrained passion. In the years after Coltrane’s death, however, Sanders explored other, somewhat gentler and perhaps more cerebral avenues — without, it should be added, sacrificing any of the intensity that defined his work as an apprentice to Coltrane.

Jimmy Lyons: Live From Studio Rivbea (Jimmy Lyons)

by John Sharpe
July 29, 2025

Alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons was underappreciated even at the height of his powers, but to those with ears attuned to the radical innovations of the loft jazz era, he was a galvanizing presence. That his legacy remains under-lit is due in part to his long-standing tenure in Cecil Taylor's incandescent orbit. Lyons was more than a ...

K��rlis Auzi?? Double Trio: Equilibrium Suite

by Mark Corroto
July 8, 2025

Latvian saxophonist K��rlis Auzi?š would never, we can assume, claim that his Equilibrium Suite stands as the equal of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1964). His reverence for Coltrane's seminal work is too deep. Still, listeners may find themselves drawing a natural connection--celebrating Auzi??'s own modern spiritual statement, one forged with sincerity, originality and purpose. ...

Dave Burrell / Sam Woodyard: The Lost Session, Paris 1979

by Mark Corroto
June 25, 2025

Listeners would be hard-pressed to name another artist besides Dave Burrell who commands such mastery across jazz's entire timeline, from its ragtime origins to its most adventurous avant-garde territories. The pianist, born in 1940, brings equal authenticity to Jelly Roll Morton's classic compositions and completely free improvisation. His discography spans the works of Thelonious Monk, Billy ...

Past, Present, And, Future Sounds

by Bob Osborne
May 15, 2025

The most fascinating and enduring aspect of jazz, and other improvised music, is its' capacity to surprise the listener. This week a diverse collection of pieces that deliver different and ground breaking new sounds. At the centre Ingrid Laubrock's unique new album which is meets this specification and more. And to close a classic album from ...

Brick Lane Jazz Festival 2025��A Rookie's Review

by Andy Crowther
May 10, 2025

Various Venues Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 25-27, 2025 The Brick Lane Jazz Festival is now in its fourth year, and although it has been on my radar for a while I've never made it. I've had very little excuse. The UK jazz scene is arguably the most invigorating ...

Strata-East, James Brandon Lewis & Phil Haynes

by Maurice Hogue
May 6, 2025

Back in the '70s and '80s, flicking through the LPs at a favourite record store and finding the latest Strata East releases made the trip worthwhile. Established by trumpeter Charles Tolliver and pianist Stanley Cowell, the label that was dedicated to spiritual jazz and social consciousness was releasing music by some of the most important artists ...

The Sun Rises Again on Strata-East Records

by Joshua Weiner
May 2, 2025

Fans of classic post-bop, avant-garde, and spiritual jazz rejoiced at the news of Mack Avenue Music Group's partnership with Strata-East Records, a pioneering independent label founded in 1971 by trumpeter Charles Tolliver and pianist Stanley Cowell. Many Strata-East releases are being reissued on CDs, deluxe all-analogue vinyl LP packages, and digitally through streaming services, many for ...

Brad Mehldau Trio Groovin' High at SFJAZZ

by Roy Strassman
April 26, 2025

Brad Mehldau Trio SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA April 3, 2025 SFJAZZ Center honored the Bay Area's jazz fans with the Brad Mehldau-Christian McBride-Marcus Gilmore trio, in town for a four-night run from April 3-6, 2025. Opening night was a real treat for the ear, eye, and soul. Casually dressed, the ...

Svetlost, Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen-Love at MKC, Skopje

by Nenad Georgievski
April 25, 2025

Svetlost, Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen-Love MKC, Skopje Skopje, Macedonia April 16th, 2025 There was no prelude, no soft landing. The first notes of “Puma in the Corner" leapt into the air like a wild animal, chaotic and alert. A shriek above our heads--someone channeling emotion so openly it felt like ...