MARCH 2018 VOLUME 85 / NUMBER 3 President Kevin Maher Publisher Frank Alkyer Editor Bobby Reed Reviews Editor Dave Cantor Contributing Editor Ed Enright Creative Director ŽanetaÎuntová Design Assistant Markus Stuckey Assistant to the Publisher Sue Mahal Bookkeeper Evelyn Hawkins Editorial Intern Izzy Yellen ADVERTISING SALES Record Companies & Schools Jennifer Ruban-Gentile 630-941-2030 [email protected] Musical Instruments & East Coast Schools Ritche Deraney 201-445-6260 [email protected] Advertising Sales Associate Kevin R. Maher 630-941-2030 [email protected] OFFICES 102 N. Haven Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126–2970 630-941-2030 / Fax: 630-941-3210 http://downbeat.com [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE 877-904-5299 / [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Senior Contributors: Michael Bourne, Aaron Cohen, Howard Mandel, John McDonough Atlanta: Jon Ross; Austin: Kevin Whitehead; Boston: Fred Bouchard, Frank- John Hadley; Chicago: John Corbett, Alain Drouot, Michael Jackson, Peter Margasak, Bill Meyer, Mitch Myers, Paul Natkin, Howard Reich; Denver: Norman Provizer; Indiana: Mark Sheldon; Iowa: Will Smith; Los Angeles: Earl Gibson, Todd Jenkins, Kirk Silsbee, Chris Walker, Joe Woodard; Michigan: John Ephland; Minneapolis: Robin James; Nashville: Bob Doerschuk; New Orleans: Erika Goldring, David Kunian, Jennifer Odell; New York: Alan Bergman, Herb Boyd, Bill Douthart, Ira Gitler, Eugene Gologursky, Norm Harris, D.D. Jackson, Jimmy Katz, Jim Macnie, Ken Micallef, Dan Ouellette, Ted Panken, Richard Seidel, Tom Staudter, Jack Vartoogian, Michael Weintrob; North Carolina: Robin Tolleson; Philadelphia: David Adler, Shaun Brady, Eric Fine; San Francisco: Mars Breslow, Forrest Bryant, Clayton Call, Yoshi Kato; Seattle: Paul de Barros; Tampa Bay: Philip Booth; Washington, D.C.: Willard Jenkins, John Murph, Michael Wilderman; Canada: Greg Buium, James Hale, Diane Moon; Denmark: Jan Persson; France: Jean Szlamowicz; Germany: Detlev Schilke, Hyou Vielz; Great Britain: Brian Priestley; Japan: Kiyoshi Koyama; Portugal: Antonio Rubio; Romania: Virgil Mihaiu; Russia: Cyril Moshkow; South Africa: Don Albert. Jack Maher, President 1970-2003 John Maher, President 1950-1969 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Send orders and address changes to: DOWNBEAT, P.O. Box 11688, St. Paul, MN 55111–0688. Inquiries: U.S.A. and Canada (877) 904-5299; Foreign (651) 251-9682. 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Box 11688, St. Paul, MN 55111–0688. CABLE ADDRESS: DownBeat (on sale February 13, 2018) Magazine Publishers Association. Á 4 DOWNBEAT MARCH 2018 MARCH 2018 ON THE COVER 28 Julian Lage ‘I Took a Page from the Rock ’n’ Roll Book’ BY PHILLIP LUTZ The dynamic guitarist discusses his FIMAV 2017 ©MARTIN MORISSETTE new album, Modern Lore, which was recorded with his longtime trio featuring bassist Scott Colley and drummer Kenny Wollesen. The album, which consists of original compositions, was partially inspired by the grooves of rock ’n’ roll pioneers such as Little Richard. Lage 52 sheds light on the ways in which his music incorporates elements of simplicty and complexity. Anthony Braxton’s solo concert at the 2017 Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville is documented on a new album released by Victo. Cover photo of Julian Lage shot by Jimmy & Dena Katz at D’Addario’s Brooklyn office on Dec. 14. FEATURES 34 Chick Corea & Lionel Loueke ‘Jazz Is a Spirit of Creativity’ BY TED PANKEN 38 Seeking Equity: A Panel Discussion BY FRANK ALKYER 58 Dr. Lonnie Smith 67 Kris Davis & Craig Taborn 68 Cortex 69 Jamison Ross 42 Wayne Escoffery Chasing Transcendence BY JOHN MURPH DEPARTMENTS 47 Indie Life Lauren Elizabeth Baba 8 First Take 55 Reviews 114 Toolshed Min Xiao-Fen Victo 10 Chords & Discords 106 Master Class 118 Jazz On Campus BY JEFF DENSON 13 The Beat 122 Blindfold Test 110 Pro Session Tim Berne SPECIAL SECTION 24 Players BY DAN WILENSKY Verneri Pohjola 73 2018 International Jazz Michelle Coltrane 112 Transcription Camp Guide Bruno & André Santos Kenny Burrell Frank Perowsky Guitar Solo Tim Berne STEVEN SUSSMAN 6 DOWNBEAT MARCH 2018 First Take BY BOBBY REED ©WALTER WAGNER Tia Fuller leads her quintet at the 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival. Bandstand Equality DOWNBEAT FREQUENTLY COVERS FEMALE MUSICIANS. WHY? Because we strive to highlight the most talented, interesting artists work- ing in jazz today. We have 63 categories in the DownBeat Critics Poll, and in the 2017 results, there were female winners in 21 categories, includ- ing Jane Ira Bloom (Soprano Saxophone), Anat Cohen (Clarinet), Nicole Mitchell (Flute), Kris Davis (Rising Star–Piano) and Sara Caswell (Rising Star–Violin). Mary Halvorson has become such a respected, unique voice in jazz that she topped four categories, including Guitar. DownBeat critics didn’t vote for these artists because they wanted the poll to be a beacon of inclusiveness; they voted for those artists because they believe those artists are simply the best at what they do. Musicians, regardless of gender, reach the pinnacle of their profes- sion through years of dedication and hard work. Most of the top musi- cians today began playing their instrument when they were very young. As a society, we should encourage young girls (and boys) who are interested in music to pursue it and stick with it by ensuring a safe, sup- portive and fun environment. You don’t get to be Tia Fuller by casually picking up an instrument at age 18. Looking to the world of sports, the 2013 documentary The Battle of the Sexes does a great job of chronicling the ways Billie Jean King fought for equality for female tennis players in the 1970s. People listened to King not only because she was thoughtful and charismatic, but also because she was such a tremendous athlete. That film came to mind as we were editing the article “Seeking Equity” (page 38), which is a transcription of a panel discussion that took place at the 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival. The panel was moderated by Suzan Jenkins, a leading jazz and arts administrator, and included saxo- phonist Tia Fuller, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Linda May Han Oh, pianist Shamie Royston and vocalist/arts administrator Sunny Sumter. These are some of the greatest musicians working today. And they all have stories to tell about the ways in which women are subjected to harassment and discrimination. Numerous important themes emerged during the panel discussion, including that men must hold other men accountable for inappropriate behavior. We hope that this article will extend constructive dialogue among musicians and educators about the ways in which equality and equity can be achieved in the music business. We need to ensure that the beauti- ful democracy that we often witness on the bandstand (with women and men harmonizing) extends to life off the bandstand. Let us know what you think by sending an email to [email protected]. DB 8 DOWNBEAT MARCH 2018 Chords Discords Hail Harrell I come in high praise of Tom Harrell, flugelhorn artist par excellence whom I see placed sixth in the Trumpet category in the 82nd DownBeat Readers Poll in your Decem- ANGELA HARRELL ber issue. Elsewhere in that issue, your critic J.D. Considine had the right choice of words in his review of Harrell’s Moving Picture, using lan- guage such as “inventive and experimental,” “playful ingenuity” and “blessedly simple.” I can only add: He is a minimalist in the tradition of Miles and the rightful heir of Art Farmer (dig the version of “Petite Belle” with Jim Hall) and should be called to the atten- tion of younger audiences. VICTOR SNIECKUS KINGSTON, ONTARIO Tom Harrell CANADA with artists like Donald Byrd and The Black- byrds. Remember: Jazz began as dance music. EMZY VEAZY III BURBANK, CALIFORNIA Love for Lloyd Jazz legend Charles Lloyd will be cele- brating his 80th birthday with a series of four shows at the Dakota in Minneapolis. The first show, on March 8, will feature Sangam with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland. The shows on March 9–10 showcase The Marvels featuring Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland with Lucinda Williams. On the final night, March 11, Charles will have his New Quartet featuring Jason Moran, Reuben Rog- ers and Eric Harland. Blue Note Unites Stars This series of shows would provide a great There are more recent antecedents than background to a well-deserved cover story on those mentioned in John Murph’s 5-star one of my favorite jazz artists. review of the Blue Note All-Stars’ Our Point JAY CHRISTMAN Of View in your November issue. Blue Spirit, MINNEAPOLIS released by Blue Note in 1996, features Tim Hagans, Greg Osby, Javon Jackson, Kevin Hays, Essiet Essiet and Bill Stewart. Grade Inflation In the December issue of DownBeat, the While not credited to the All-Stars per Reviews section contained 25 reviews that se and featuring several aggregations, Bob had ratings of 4 or 4½ stars (and that doesn’t Belden’s 1996 Blue Note album, Shades Of include the columns). You may be able to fire Blue, presents a similar concept, featuring all your reviewers and keep one or two to Hagans, John Scofield, Kurt Elling, Cas- grind out all the 4 and 4½-star reviews.