CAGE THE ELEPHANT ''Thank You Happy Birthday'' (Jive) Matt Shultz's scratchy, wobbly, jumpy voice isn't pretty by any means. But it happens to be the perfect instrument for the manic desperation and sardonic defiance of his band, Cage the Elephant. Formed in Bowling Green, Ky., Cage the Elephant had enough success with its self-titled debut album...
MARLBORO, N.Y. -- A few songs into a jazz summit meeting at the Falcon here on Saturday night, the all-stars went through an unannounced lineup rotation. John Scofield had just started into his guitar solo on ''Hacksensack,'' a Thelonious Monk tune, backed by the drummer Jack DeJohnette and the bassist Larry Grenadier. That was when the saxophonist...
A warm sense of occasion surrounds this week's Village Vanguard engagement by the saxophonist Joe Lovano. The club just commemorated its 75th anniversary, another mile marker in a storied and still vital history. And Mr. Lovano, leading the group from his most recent album, ''Folk Art'' (Blue Note), is celebrating something else besides: his 30th...