Martin Johnson
Stories
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Jazz bassist Linda May Han Oh proves less is more on 'Strange Heavens'
Oh took the fast track to jazz prominence, emerging on the scene in the 2000s and becoming the bass player in bands led by Pat Metheny and Vijay Iyer. Her new album is a look back at her early work.
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Harpist Brandee Younger embraces a broad range of jazz on 'Gadabout Season'
Younger follows in the footsteps of greats like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, using her instrument in many styles of jazz and pop music.
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Mary Halvorson's 'About Ghosts' captures the defining trends of jazz in the 2020s
Guitarist and composer Halvorson arrived on the jazz scene in the mid 2000s with a virtuosity that commanded attention. Her current sextet, called Amaryllis, features a stellar cast of musicians.
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Accordionist Will Holshouser goes solo -- and soulful -- on 'The Lone Wild Bird'
Holshouser turned to accordion when a college pal gave him one as a gift. Martin Johnson reviews his latest album, then Terry Gross hosts Holshouser in the studio for conversation and some music.
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Wilco guitarist Nels Cline showcases his musical diversity on 'Consentrik Quartet'
From indie rock to jazz, Cline is one of most versatile players on today's music scene. His latest album is named after his new group, but in many ways it sounds like a retrospective of Cline's work.
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Steve Lehman pays riveting tribute to his mentor on 'The Music of Anthony Braxton'
NEA Jazz Master Braxton turns 80 this year. Lehman, one of his proteges, has created a tribute that highlights the composer's early work and shows the roads to and from his music.
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'Forces of Nature' showcases the potent mix of two jazz giants
A new recording features pianist McCoy Tyner and saxophonist Joe Henderson in a concert taped in New York City in 1966. The music here is a prelude to later iconic records by each leader.
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Remembering jazz composer and saxophonist Benny Golson
Golson, who died Sept. 21, captured the sunny optimism of American in the late '50s and early '60s. He composed internal music for hit TV shows and appeared as himself in the 2004 film The Terminal.