Guitarist Lionel Loueke has announced a first run of tour dates in support of Mwaliko, his sophomore album for Blue Note Records, which will be released on February 9. Mwaliko (pronounced mwah-LEE-koh), Swahili for “invitation,” comprises a series of intimate duets with vocalist Angelique Kidjo, vocalist/bassist Esperanza Spalding, vocalist/bassist Richard [...]

On February 5, the MJF/52 All-Stars will kick off a 34-date tour that will take them to 32 cities in 17 states before it wraps up in the Motor City on May 1. And who, you might wonder, are the MJF/52 All-Stars? Well, that would be a sextet of stellar [...]

Once again, the funky Boston-based Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, led by saxophonist/composer Ken Field, will journey to New Orleans in February to take part in the Big Easy’s Mardi Gras festivities. This will be the RSE’s sixth annual pilgrimage to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. As usual, the band will travel [...]

For those who can’t get enough Norah Jones, Blue Note Records will release the Chasing Pirates Remix EP digitally and on 12” vinyl on January 12. The EP features five tracks, among them two remixes of “Chasing Pirates” — one subtitled “Santigold and Snotty Remix,” the other “Droogs Remix” — [...]

In a fine display of good sense and exemplary taste, Queen Elizabeth II has named pianist Marian McPartland an “Officer of the Order of the British Empire.” As British honors go, the only one higher is being named a “Dame.”
“I am thrilled and proud to have received this great honor [...]