Print Edition

Independent Culture
- Born in London...
  
  Dance Mama!
  
  self-released
- The title of Vi...
  
  Joie de Virre
  
  Violette
- Winds of Change...
  
  Winds of Change
  
  [Tilt Records]
- Mads Tolling, ...
  
  The Playmaker
  
  self-released
- Drew Davidsen&#...
  
  Around (Again)
  
  Creative Soul J

INDEPENDENT CULTURE

Passion-driven independent record companies have produced some of the most important music in jazz. The tradition continues...

E.S.P

Time's Up!

[Spider Records]

E.S.P. is part post bop, part world beat, and part groove. Matthew Vacanti, John Magnante, Brian Scherer, Karl Sterling and Barry Blumenthal deliver a performance that is clearly inspired by the tradition of true jazz improvisation, yet Time’s Up! glistens with a contemporary sound. “You will enjoy the music on [...]

Hailey Niswanger

Confeddie

[self-released]

2008 Mary Lou Williams “Women In Jazz Saxophone Competition” winner Hailey Niswanger interprets the music of Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and other modern jazz masters on her debut CD Confeddie whose title track she wrote inspired by Eddie Harris. “Hailey’s CD is mind blowing with advanced, lyrical and [...]

Christina Watson

A Flower Truly Blue

[Right Turn Records]

Christina Watson’s newest CD, A Flower Truly Blue, showcases her ability to sing jazz in a modern way, not only with her choice of material but also with her European approach and cohesive feel for the entire album. Her stellar musicians help draw the listener in to the story she paints [...]

Faye Miravite

La Brezza

[Self-released]

It took a lifetime and two days to bring eight musicians from three continents to Florence, Italy, to record La Brezza, the third album by songwriter and producer Faye Miravite. With guest artists Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, La Brezza explores the simmer of Latinate rhythms, against the interplay of cool [...]

Christiana Drapkin

Shakespeare In Jazz

[Self-released]

Jazz vocalist Christiana Drapkin celebrates the beauty and power of William Shakespeare’s poetry. Christiana developed this project after finding a 1964 Cleo Laine recording, “Shakespeare and all that Jazz” (Fontana), composed by Cleo’s husband, John Dankworth. Christiana and her group present these songs in concert in schools, colleges, libraries and [...]

Chad Rager

21st Century Groove

[Strokeland Records]

“The Drumslinger” Chad Rager leads the Chad Rager Groove, a powerhouse octet that produces an energized big band sound with the intimacy and individuality of a small group. Rager’s drumming reflects his early influences: the power of Krupa, the technique of Rich, the dynamics of Bellson, and the musicality of [...]