Over the years, vocalist Mary Stallings has typically subscribed to a philosophy summed up by…
Prelude
Monk’s Jamaican Spirit: Monty Alexander Considers the Music of Thelonious Monk in a Whole New Light
Known for melding jazz with the sounds of his native Jamaica, pianist Monty Alexander has…
Straight from the Heart: Miguel Zenón Pays Tribute to Ismael Rivera
Saxophonist Miguel Zenón’s soundtrack to growing up in Puerto Rico encompassed many salsa luminaries. But…
Music from the Magazine Playlist: July 2019
Our July 2019 digital issue, which is available to subscribers now, is chock full of some of the coolest summer reading around.
Patricia Barber Finds a New Way Forward Between Jazz and Classical Music
Attending a reception welcoming her into the centuries-old American Academy of Arts & Sciences —…
Eric Reed Emerges from Trying Times with an Album That Rings of Rebirth
At first glance, the title of Eric Reed’s current album, Everybody Gets the Blues, can…
Detroit Jazz City: Mark Stryker’s New Book Examines Detroit’s Long Love Affair With Jazz
As a longtime jazz fan, arts writer Mark Stryker was well aware that the city…
In His Element: Philip Bailey Teams Up with Next-Generation Jazz Stars
Growing up in Denver, Colorado, Philip Bailey wasn’t exposed to a great deal of black…
Requisite Listening: Les McCann and Eddie Harris, “Swiss Movement” (Atlantic)
Les McCann and Eddie Harris Swiss Movement (Atlantic) — Call it serendipity. Pianist McCann and…
Running with the Devil: A New Documentary Traces Harlem Blues Duo Satan & Adam
Mr. Satan had seen better days. Having suffered a stroke, he was convalescing in a…
Rhapsody in Code: Dan Tepfer Finds a Simpatico Collaborator in His Yamaha Disklavier
Dan Tepfer has been thinking about the downside of mastering your craft, how it can…
Back in the Groove: Claudia Acuña Releases Her First Album in a Decade
Vocalist and composer Claudia Acuña released her fourth album, En Este Momento, a decade ago.…
A Horn Beloved: On His Latest Outing, Scott Robinson Spotlights His Trusty Tenor Sax
Tenormore, the vibrant new album by saxophonist Scott Robinson, is the story of a beautiful…
Play Time: Kurt Elling Stages a Dramatic Production in New York City
The Big Blind, Kurt Elling’s wildly ambitious “live radio drama,” received its premiere performances March…
Voices of Liberation: Ulysses Owens Jr. Explores the Music and Vision of Three Iconic Singers
Songs of Freedom features moving and vibrant interpretations of classic material associated with Nina Simone,…
Seismic Activity: Samantha Boshnack Gives Full Expression to Her Fascination with Volcanoes
When Samantha Boshnack moved to Seattle from her native New York state in 2003, she…
Belgian Pearls: Unreleased Tapes of Jeanne Lee and Ran Blake Reveal a Rich Legacy
Jeanne Lee and Ran Blake returned to Europe in the fall of 1966, the vocal-piano…
Interstellar Spirits: Joris Teepe Pays Tribute to Rashied Ali
Rashied Ali is perhaps best known for his work on John Coltrane’s Interstellar Space, the…
Requisite Listening: Nina Simone
From the starkly emotional “I Loves You, Porgy” to the scathing “Mississippi Goddam,” this live 1964 concert album presents various facets of Nina Simone’s remarkable artistry.
Joe Fiedler: Swinging Down Sesame Street
Joe Fiedler knows better than anyone that there’s more than one way to get to…
