Kevin Whitehead

Fresh Air begins its remembrance of drummer Paul Motian with an archived review of his trio album.

This review was originally broadcast April 8, 2010.

O'Neal's Whirling Mantis is named for a defensive move in karate. The martial-arts reference suggests one way to look at how O'Neal's music operates: The players react to each other's moves, deflecting one another in stylized interaction.

Colley's not from Kansas, but his music fits the wide-open flatlands, where you can see the weather coming on. Bill Frisell, Brian Blade and Ralph Alessi breathe life into the frameworks the bassist builds on Empire.

Kevin Whitehead says this Davis quintet was consistently amazing, not least on its last big tour.

Kevin Whitehead looks at genre-bending new albums by Pablo Aslan and Sao Paulo Underground.

The out-of-print and much-coveted album combines a dramatically spare sound with a heavy backbeat.

Under Oblique — I's zigzag lines, Sorey's drums barrel along like a runaway tractor trailer.

Doin' the Gigi showcases Gigi Gryce as a swinging saxophonist and writer of quirky melodies.

The Chicago-based Deep Blue Organ Trio combines a Hammond organ with a guitar and drums. The group's fourth album Wonderful! pays tribute to the Stevie Wonder songbook. Critic Kevin Whitehead says more jazz musicians should cover Wonder, because his tunes are "jazz waiting to happen."

Songs of Mirth and Melancholy takes cues from the brooding romantic music of 19th century Europe.