Legendary South African musician Abdullah Ibrahim, who changed his name from Dollar Brand in 1968 when he converted to Islam and whose “Mannenberg” composition is often dubbed the unofficial South African anthem, died yesterday in Priem am Chiemsee, Germany. His performances often seemed like meditations in recent years. The last time I saw him perform…
John Carroll Kirby, the Los Angeles-based keyboardist, composer, and producer, just released the second single off his upcoming solo project “Piano Works 2016-2026”, due August 28th on Stones Throw Records. The album collects 14 impromptu pieces, composed and recorded whenever he had the opportunity to sit at a piano while on tour. The pieces on…
For this year’s Kunstfest Pankow, promoter Gesobau has come up with yet another great line-up again. Jazz & Soul award winner Savannah Hauskeller will perform later this afternoon. Also, top guitarist Torsten Goods will feature singer Kim Sanders. Highlights for today are UK singer Omar who released his brilliant new album “Brighter The Days” last…
On September 11th, singer and composer Gretchen Parlato will release her next album “The Wise Ones” on Edition Records. Co-produced by Alan Hampton, the album is Gretchen’s way of dealing with growth, connection, and renewal. The stunning 11-song collection features Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gerald Clayton, Amber Navran, Becca Stevens, and Mark Guiliana. The album…
Los Angeles-based pianist/keyboardist/producer Kiefer, one of the most prolific artists on the scene since almost a decade, has signed with the prestigious Blue Note Records label. He will release his debut solo album for the label in the fall. Commenting on his new label home, Kiefer says: “When I was four years old, my dad…
We’ve recently received a track which is the perfect soundtrack to our quiet garden mornings here in the north of Berlin. It’s the new single from the Chicago jazz collective Blue Earth Sound, led by multi-instrumentalist and composer James Weir. The tune is called “Japanese Green” and is the second single off the forthcoming EP…
Lau Ro, the São Paulo-born, Brighton-based artist, non-binary singer and composer, will release his second album “Lau” on June 26th on the Brooklyn-based Mexican Summer label (also home to fellow Brazilian Sessa). The album is a tender and deeply introspective collection of orchestral psych-pop songs, recorded during a period of physical and emotional challenges, according…
The multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer Isaiah Collier returns with a five-track EP called “Joy” on July 31st. The album will come out on Brownswood Recordings, the British label co-founded twenty years ago by Gilles Peterson. The lead single and title track is out now and it features Isaiah on piano and tenor sax and vocals…
Prolific Italian artist, producer, composer and DJ Nicola Conte has released the first couple of tracks from his upcoming album, to be released on Far Out Recordings in early 2027. “Terra Em Transe”/”Naquela Base” both turn to the early 70s Brazilian bossa and modal, kind of Acid style sound. Nicola says of “Terra Em Transe”:…
Audrey Powne just announced her second album, to be released this fall.”Broken Record”, the first single, is inspired by the legacy of label mate the late great J Dilla. This soul/ jazz crossover track, with its mesmerizing groove and haunting trumpet, showcases Audrey’s expanding scope as a trumpeter, vocalist, keyboardist, and producer. “When I signed with…