The programme for the 49th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival has been announced this week. From July 3-18, the charming city at Lac Léman will host a diverse array of artists on the three main stages together with the popular train and boat events. Opening the festival on July 3rd at the Auditorium Stravinski…
Singer Indra Rios-Moore presented her new Impulse album “Heartland” in Berlin on Thursday night. Produced by Larry Klein, it features eleven songs in a well-chosen repertoire which includes Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Duke Ellington, and two traditionals. I had the chance to talk to her a couple of hours before her gig at the A-Trane:…
And not only The Bad Plus, the trio also featured Ron Miles on cornet and Tim Berne and Sam Newsome on saxes. What they did on Wednesday night at Berlin’s A-Trane was resurrecting the 1971 Ornette Coleman album “Science Fiction” (his 17th) which is certainly not one of the better known albums of the groundbreaking…
Pianist Cyrus Chestnut‘s last visit to Berlin was almost 20 years ago. It is hard to believe because here is a musician that is instantly recognizable even though he incorporates many styles and genres in his playing. Or maybe that’s exactly why! From Rag to Bop, from Gospel and Blues and Soul to Classical, whatever…
While I’m still not finished reading his memoir, “Possibilities”, Herbie Hancock is busy on a successful duo tour with fellow pianist Chick Corea. Herbie celebrates his 75th birthday today and as you know, all of his albums are masterpieces, whatever the genre. From his 60s Blue Note Records with the classic “Watermelon Man” or “Cantaloupe…
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…
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…