The fast rise of ultra soulful singer/pianist/composer Jarrod Lawson from Portland, Oregon has come to a new chapter last night at New Morning in Paris, his first visit to France. That’s where he started his 5-week European tour and that’s where he presented his amazing vocal and songwriting skills together with his imaginative piano playing….
Listening to Billie Holiday today and forever. April 7th, 1915 – July 17th, 1959.
More and more Jazz festivals are releasing their schedules for the season and beyond. There is a nice and sympathetic festival in Zurich at the end of October which will stage its 17th edition this year. The jazznojazz festival will take place October 28th to 31st at the Gessnerallee and the ZKB Club at the…
This year’s Detroit Jazz Festival, the world’s largest free Jazz Festival, will take place September 4th-7th on four stages and with more than 100 performances. Just recently the artist in residence for the 36th edition has been announced: Pat Metheny can be seen in different collaborations. As the festival’s ambassador, he will headline the second…
Two of the best indie soul compilations each year are the Luxury Soul and the Soul Togetherness collections. Now, the team around Ralph Tee has come up with a new one: Soul Life compiles 16 quality soul tracks starting with the Tom Browne classic “Brighter Tomorrow”, recorded here in a brand new version by the…
Billie Holiday would have been 100 years old this month (April 7th), so it is only natural that we get several tributes this year. Young British singer Rebecca Ferguson and José James both have contributed already and here comes Cassandra Wilson with her new album. Produced by longtime Nick Cave mastermind Nick Launay, the album…
David Sanborn’s latest 9-song collection was produced by Marcus Miller and features two of the alto saxophonist’s own compositions: With “Drift”, he wanted to show respect for the work of D’Angelo whose output he admires. The result is a lush, soulful number with great 70s keyboard sounds by Roy Assaf and the lyrical wailing of…
The 71-year old singer is in ICU in a Los Angeles hospital after being unconscious at her Bel Air home. Her Twitter account from this morning says this: “Joni is currently in intensive care in an LA area hospital but is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them.” According…
Her new album was actually recorded in Sao Paulo and is the first one she recorded in her home country ever since she came to the US in 1981. But does it make any difference? The album was, again, produced by her, her husband Marc Johnson who also plays bass on the record, and Steve…
Over 72 million records sold, 28 albums making the Billboard charts, co-founder with Jerry Moss of A&M Records, nine Grammy Awards, a new album last fall (“In The Mood”), and a recent 12-day run at New York’s Café Carlyle – Herb Alpert celebrates his 80th birthday today. The last time I saw him perform live…