Hassell, Vandermark and Argue: Three Distinct Voices in the Jazz Family

Posted on May 21st 2009 4:00PM by All About Jazz
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Modern jazz cuts a wide stylistic swath, making the music difficult to categorize or define. Today's composers, such as Jon Hassell, Ken Vandermark and Darcy James Argue, are considered leaders and innovators -- all brilliant men with vision whose music may sound vastly different but whose wellspring of creative ideas are undoubtedly drawn from the same inspirational source.

Jon Hassell may well be one of the most insidious influences in modern music. Trumpeter, composer and deep thinker, he may not have the same name recognition as, say, Miles Davis, but his unmistakable approach to music -- he calls it Fourth World music -- has helped shape musicians around the globe, ranging from his friend and co-conspirator Brian Eno to jazz-centric artists including trumpeters Arve Henriksen and Nils Petter Molvær. You can read our latest interview with him, read our two extended CD reviews of 'Last night the moon came dropping its clothes in the street' and download three MP3s from a trio of Hassell's releases.

Chicago sax titan Ken Vandermark is a winner of the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant and is never at a loss to discuss the state of jazz, music making, touring and the future direction of the music. The husky, free-spirited multi-reedist leads his own groups, such as the Vandermark 5, and is a member of several groups including the Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet. Read his latest All About Jazz interview and download three MP3s spanning his extensive discography.

Darcy James Argue is a new and exciting voice in modern big-band composition and was recently nominated for two 2009 Jazz Journalist Association awards ("Up and Coming Artist of the Year" and "Large Ensemble of the Year"). You can read about Argue and his 'Secret Society' and download a free MP3 from his first studio recording, 'Infernal Machines.'

Enjoy the music and enjoy the thrill of discovery at AllAboutJazz.com!