It was in the late 90s when I had an interview appointment with the great Sheila Jordan at her West Village apartment. Sheila came to Berlin several years later to perform and the last time I saw her was this past January at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge (see picture). In all those years, Sheila…
Hear The World is a Foundation which tries to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and hearing loss. Diana Krall was recently photographed by Bryan Adams for a calendar of which 100 per cent of the sales proceeds go to that particular foundation. Also photographed were Christoph Waltz, Vanessa Paradis, Jean Paul Gaultier, and…
He belongs to the Kenny Barron school of piano playing, cites Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly, and Oscar Peterson, but also Miles Davis and John Coltrane as influences and celebrates his 70th birthday today. Happy birthday George Cables. He has worked with only the greatest in Jazz, like Bobby Hutcherson, Art Blakey, Art Pepper,…
He would have been 75 today: Leo Morris, or Idris Muhammad after he converted to the Islam, was one of the most sought after drummers not only in Jazz, but in Soul and Funk as well. The list of people he has worked with is sheer endless. The album cover shown here is from “Boogie…
The Festival today announced the programme for its 25th anniversary. It will be held January 9-11. Festival director Fritz Schmücker brings back an artist who was among the roster of the very first one back in 1979 (the Festival takes place every two years): Jasper van’t Hof will be on stage with Markus Stockhausen and…
I remember interviewing Jack Kleinsinger in his Manhattan home many years ago when his Festival was still held at PACE University and after the interview he generously gave me two concert LPs, one of which was a recording of the December 12, 1985 concert at NYU with Doc Cheatham on trumpet and George Kelly on…
“Anat’s Dance”, the first song clarinetist Anat Cohen played at her show at Berlin’s A-Trane last night, probably is the best introduction to her versatility: she extends so much joy from stage to audience it is really infectious. That particular song was written by pianist and keyboarder Jason Lindner who has learned with Barry Harris…
I’ve been an admirer of Raul Midón’s work ever since he came on the scene in about 1999. One of my favorite songs still is “Cerca De Mi” which can be found on the brilliant Louie Vega album “Elements Of Life”. Pure Bliss! Raul has been touring the world over several times since then and…
Millions of people are out on the streets this weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. Gina of course was among the crowd – she walked all the way through Mauerpark and back trying to catch the balloons….
Congratulations to Ann Hampton Callaway and Kari Strand! After a seven year engagement, they finally married! We wish them both all the best and many many beautiful years together. I remember going out with them both and a couple of friends several years ago when she last visited Berlin. We had so much fun in…