Happy birthday to one of the most dynamic and interesting drummers, composers and producers of our time: Terri Lyne Carrington celebrates the big 50 today and there is more to celebrate: a new album (which will be exceptional after the first quick listen to some of the songs) which will have a lot of fantastic…
Rudresh Mahanthappa opened the final day of the 40th North Sea Jazz Edition. And even though he was offering the music from his most recent Charlie Parker-inspired project, I couldn’t really draw the line to the saxophone hero. But nevertheless, the band was delivering, especially 20-year old Adam O’Farrill (yes he’s from that family). Curtis…
One of my all-time favorite records is a duo album by the magnificent Irene Kral and the equally brilliant Alan Broadbent from 1974 called “Where Is Love?”. So I was pretty curious to listen to Lauren White‘s new album which was inspired by the recordings of Irene Kral. Lauren is a Los Angeles-based vocalist performing…
Ola Onabule, the brilliant Soul and Jazz singer from the UK, has signed with Dot Time Records. His new album “It’s The Peace That Deafens” will be released in the fall. In the press release statement from the label, Ola is quoted as saying that “It’s The Peace That Deafens is as much a work…
It is an incredibly sad week with so many of our good ones leaving us. Louis Johnson, one half of the Brothers Johnson, passed away yesterday at only 60 years old. My first encounter with his amazing slapping technique was with their hit song “Stomp”. But that wasn’t the only one of course. “Strawberry Letter…
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…
There is much more to the accordion than a classical, folk, or Tango approach. I have written here several times about the magic accordion playing by French master Vincent Peirani who just released his latest album “Living Being”. Now, in the very successful Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic series curated by ACT Music chief Siggi Loch,…
The BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards have been announced. Ann Hampton Callaway is the “Queen of Broadway”, she has garnered the most votes and is now officially “Performer of the Year”. Congratulations Ann! In the “Best Jazz Vocalist” category, there is a tie between Jane Monheit, who has won two years in a row, and…
Through its Competition and wide range of year-round programs, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is committed to identifying and training the world’s leading young jazz musicians who will preserve the traditions of jazz while expanding the music in new directions. That’s what is said on the Thelonious Monk Institute Organisation website and this past…
We went on a three-hour walk with Gina last night through the illuminated city. It was the final night of Berlin’s now very popular annual Festival of Lights. Gina was one of the stars with her red, twinkling collar and the eerie shining eyes……