The French pianist is known for inserting pieces of wood between strings to produce new sounds. Delbecq’s technique — as showcased on his new album — can make him sound like he has an extra hand. Among prepared piano players, …
f I were asked to name two current pianists who I think have truly unique voices as improvisers, then I’d have no trouble in picking Benoît Delbecq and Jozef Dumoulin. I’m not a purist about this stuff – it’s not …
Benoît Delbecq, “The Loop of Chicago” Speaking of hyperfluency in an invented language, take a moment to consider what Benoît Delbecq does at the piano on his new album, The Weight of Light. His first solo release since Circles and Calligrams, from 2010, it’s …
Interview conducted via e-mail. Jazz To me, jazz means improvisation and innovation. The search for self-expression through sound, and a reflection of the here and now. I also like Wayne Shorter’s definition of jazz: “I dare you!” The meaning of …
“Accelerate Every Voice,” a new album, is a step forward in another facet of this dazzling pianist’s career: composing. Cory Smythe’s new album blends references to hyper-complex contemporary classical styles, the jazz-meets-vocal music of Andrew Hill’s 1970 record “Lift Every …
Pianist Cory Smythe took the stage at FIMAV in May 2019 with the Tyshawn Sorey Trio, an ensemble that gave an impressive concert in which Smythe’s very original playing literally stole the show. The recording of this disc dates from …
In 1969, Andrew Hill, an idiosyncratic jazz master who’d gigged with Charlie Parker and studied with Paul Hindemith, paired a vocal chorus with a hard-swinging quintet to record “Lift Every Voice,” a buoyant set of upbeat incantations. Now, just over …
Im Pressetext Spricht Man Von »Cyborg Choirs«. Doch Sind Es Keine Semimaschinen, Sondern Reale Stimmen, Die Hier Dem Irdischen Enthobene Schleifen Erzeugen, Minimalismus Und Durchaus Auch Entfremdung Verbreiten Und Neue Musik-Einflüsse Einbinden. Cory Smythe, Einer Der Ambitioniertesten Pianisten In Tasten-Grenzbereichen, …
As concerts and recording sessions around the globe came to an abrupt halt, DownBeat interviewed eight artists to discuss their strategies for coping during the coronavirus pandemic.
Canadian pianist Kris Davis connects projects and awards, teaches and searches for “sound finds”