Jack Fuller

Universal Language Joe Lovano (Blue Note). Tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano has been coming into his own, and this recording signals his arrival. His work is marked by sophistication and wit,...

Bloomington Branford Marsalis (Columbia). It's either me or the hype, but this new recording by tenor sax celebrity Branford Marsalis doesn't come close to living up to its billing as...

Trio (Chico Hamilton, Soul Note). Chico Hamilton's drums are a lyrical instrument in this haunting trio recording. With Cary DeNigris on guitar and Eric Person on saxophone, the sound is...

I Didn't Know About You (Karrin Allyson, Concord Jazz). This young singer is terrific. Part cabaret, part Cassandra Wilson, Karrin Allyson has a lovely musical range and a sharp, clear,...

Under the Influence (Eddie Daniels, GRP). Eddie Daniels usually plays clarinet, and too often he has played it with more glibness than intensity. But he can play convincingly on clarinet...

Taylor Made (Bobby Watson, Columbia). Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson fronts a big band as well as his Horizon quartet on this new recording, and he stands out well in both...

Till We Have Faces (Gary Thomas, JMT). The combination of Gary Thomas' whirling dervish tenor saxophone and Pat Metheny's guitar makes this an outstanding recording. Thomas has the kind of...

Chet Baker Big Band and Chet Baker and Crew (Pacific Jazz). These two discs, composed of sessions recorded in the mid-1950s, feature the bright side of trumpeter Chet Baker, a...

Mood Swing (Manhattan New Music Project, Soul Note). This chamber ensemble plays along the intersection of jazz and modern art music. There's a hint of Kurt Weill in the sound...

The Immortal Charlie Parker, The "Bird" Returns, Charlie Parker Memorial Vol. 2 (Savoy); Bird at the High Hat (Blue Note); Bird's Night (Various musicians, Savoy). Most of the Charlie Parker...