Bassist, composer, bandleader and jazz iconoclast Charles Mingus was born on this day (April 22) in Nogales, Arizona, in 1922.
Song of the Day
John Coltrane & The Cats – “Minor Mishap”
On this day (April 18) in 1957, saxophonist John Coltrane and pianist Tommy Flanagan set…
Herbie Hancock with Buster Williams – “Toys”
Bassist Buster Williams was born on this day in Camden, New Jersey, in 1942. One of the most prolific bassists in jazz, Williams was a seminal figure in the bebop movement and played a crucial role in developing the sound of the bass in modal jazz, cool jazz and other post-bop genres.
Miles Davis – “Seven Steps To Heaven”
On this day (April 16) in 1963, trumpeter Miles Davis entered Columbia Studios in Los…
Sarah McKenzie – “Till the End of Time”
Australia-born singer Sarah McKenzie is an emerging star with a timeless voice and a spellbinding…
Herbie Hancock – “Watermelon Man”
Today (April 12) is the birthday of keyboardist Herbie Hancock, one of the most iconic…
John Coltrane – “Soul Eyes”
“Soul Eyes,” today’s Song of the Day, comes from John Coltrane’s album Coltrane, tracks of which…
Lenny Pickett – “What Is Hip?”
A colossally talented tenor player with a scorching altissimo range, Lenny Pickett is best known as the leader of the Saturday Night Live house band, in which he’s been playing weekly since 1995.
Steely Dan (with Steve Gadd) – “Aja”
Drummer Steve Gadd, renowned for his work as a session musician for some of the biggest names in jazz and pop, was born on this day (April 9) in Irondequoit, New York, in 1945.
Skúli Sverrisson & Bill Frisell – “Afternoon Variant”
“I’ve never been at a session like the one that we had in June of 2017 with Skúli Sverrisson and Bill Frisell,” says Newvelle Records co-founder Elan Mehler.
Stanley Turrentine – “Sugar”
Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine was born on this day (April 5) in 1934 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.…
Hugh Masekela – “Grazin’ in the Grass”
Trumpeter and international jazz celebrity Hugh Masekela was born on this day (April 4) in Witbank, South Africa, in 1939.
Miles Davis – “Solar”
Miles Davis recorded his famous track “Solar” for the album Walkin’ on this day (April 3) in…
Larry Coryell – “Chris”
Guitarist Larry Coryell, hailed by many as the “Godfather of Fusion,” was born on this…
Aruan Ortiz – “Improvisada”
When the filmmaker Ben Chace finished shooting the movie Sin Alas (“Without Wings”) in Cuba, he reached out to pianist Aruán Ortiz to score it.
Michael Brecker – “Delta City Blues”
Saxophone icon Michael Brecker was born on this day (March 29) in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, in…
Thad Jones – “Groove Merchant”
Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Thad Jones was born on this day (March 28) in Pontiac,…
Sarah Vaughan – “Black Coffee”
Jazz vocal legend Sarah Vaughan was born on this day (March 27) in Newark, New…
James Moody & Eddie Jefferson -“Moody’s Mood for Love”
Saxophonist and flutist James Moody was born on this day in Savannah, Georgia, in 1925. After an early stint with the Dizzy Gillespie bebop orchestra, Moody ventured out to form several outstanding ensembles under his own name.
Don Friedman – “Strength and Sanity”
In 1961, the 23-year-old trumpet phenomenon Booker Little recorded two extraordinary albums: Out Front and Booker Little and Friend. Booker was a visionary musician, possessing a flawless technique, a burnished tone and a purely modern artistic vision.
