Saxophonist Bobby Zankel first convened this Philadelphia-based big band almost 20 years ago, and here…
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Andra Day is Billie Holiday in New Biopic: The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, a new biopic on the life of legendary vocalist Billie Holiday, will be released on February 12, 2021, via Paramount Pictures. It is directed by Lee Daniels and stars singer/songwriter Andra Day as Holiday. This will be just Day's third cinematic appearance. The film will be released just before the Oscar-qualifying cut-off date on February 28, 2021. 
Makaya McCraven Remixes Nubya Garcia Composition: Makaya McCraven has shared a new remix of Nubya Garcia's "Source." This is the title track from the saxophonist/composer's debut album, released on August 21 via Concord Jazz. McCraven and Garcia previously worked together on the former's Universal Beings album from 2018, a companion album and documentary of which were released earlier this year. https://youtu.be/4Mem_n0h8Q4
Lafayette Gilchrist, Now (self-released): Acclaimed pianist/composer Lafayette Gilchrist addresses life in Baltimore, race relations in America and affairs of the heart on his powerful, self-released double-album Now. Released on October 27, Now marks his follow-up to last year's critically acclaimed solo piano album, Dark Matter. It is also his first trio recording since 2007's 3, finding him leading his Specials Revealed group with bassist Herman Burney and drummer Eric Kennedy. https://youtu.be/HGgH7ttEgRs Júlia Karosi, Without Dimensions (Double Moon/Challenge): Vocalist Júlia Karosi, alongside guitarist Ben Monder, re-examines and reimagines the works of her illustrious compatriots Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály in a contemporary jazz setting on Without Dimensions. This genre-melding record, Karosi's fourth as a leader, is a compelling exploration of Hungarian heritage and was released on October 16. https://youtu.be/dB9p7Cf3Wwg Billie Holiday, Billie (Verve/UMe): Verve has released the official companion soundtrack for the anticipated documentary Billie about legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. The LP collects some of Lady Day's most popular songs featured throughout the film, including "God Bless the Child," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "Strange Fruit" and more, along with instrumental cues. The film, directed by James Erskine, will be released in selected theaters and available on TVOD on December 4. 
WaterTower Theatre Presents Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald: The WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas, will present singer/actress Feleceia Wilson's holiday-themed one-woman show celebrating Ella Fitzgerald on-demand on November 27, 2020-January 3, 2021. "Ella's Swinging Christmas: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald" will feature Wilson's interpretations of songs from the First Lady of Song's 1960 Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas album, accompanied by a trio. Click here to purchase tickets. 
Jazzfest Berlin 2020 Available Online: All artistic contributions of the four-day ARTE Livestream of Jazzfest Berlin 2020 are now available to stream on Berliner Festspiele on Demand and ARTE Concert Media Library. Videos include concert performances, talks and multimedia events, totaling roughly 1500 minutes in duration. This year's Jazzfest Berlin took place on November 5-8 and the 2021 edition has been scheduled for November 4-7. 
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