August 7th would have been Rahsaan Roland Kirk‘s 80th birthday. The original and highly influential saxophonist who was probably best known for his ability to play various instruments simultaneously, is feted at San José’s 3rd Annual Rahsaanathon at Café Stritch. His biographer John Kluth will open the celebrations when he joins New York-based baritone saxophonist…
This year’s Musikfest Bremen features some interesting events again. Since 1989, this music festival which covers all kinds of genres, but mostly classical and jazz, has become increasingly popular. For the 2015 edition, here are my picks: Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant will introduce her new album “For One To Love” on September 3rd. Joining her…
The Becca Stevens Band, whose latest record “Perfect Animal” was released a couple of weeks ago, has announced a 7-date tour through Germany in September. Becca is leading a workshop in Siena, Italy, for about a week in early August and will return to Europe for the tour (see dates below). Her 10-song album is…
How nice it is to hear new material from Jill Scott after four long years. With “Woman”, she delivers her most intimate and exposing set yet and with “Prepared”, produced by Andre “Dre” Harris, sets the pace for this varied and mixed new album. Because prepared you can’t be for this surprising journey even though…
Jazzkeller 69 e.V. is celebrating its 44th anniversary this year here in Berlin – Treptow. The annual open-air festival Jazz an der Lohmühle continues until next weekend. It is in my old neighborhood which has become one of the hot spots in Berlin (after I moved of course!). This upcoming weekend rounds up this mostly…
This all-star collective first came together last year as the Larry Willis All-Stars at New York’s Smoke Jazz Club celebrating the music of McCoy Tyner. The audience reaction and the vibe among each other was so good that they decided to stay together and record an album. All four members of this Jazz supergroup have…
While Gina is enjoying the various pools of our neighbors during this summer (like in this short video clip we took), we can’t get enough of a wonderful indie Soul collection which just came out. “Soul Shine – 16 Contemporary Summer Soul Vibes” is a brilliant collection of intoxicating groovers and shakers with a few…
This Jazz Festival has established itself as one of the hottest and well respected ones in the heart of France’s Gascogne region. Since 1978, this midsummer Festival has come up with great programming each year and the 2015 edition is no exception. The Festival starts on Monday, July 27th and runs until August 16th. There…
I just wanted to share this announcement about an evening of the compositions and the songbook of Mark Murphy in New York. The whole evening is focused on the timeless and legendary Mark as a composer and singer. There will also be a retrospective of his career and also some songs which have never been…
This is a sweet tribute to Kenny Drew Jr. who passed away much too early at only 56 years old last year. Saxophonist Steve Slagle and Kenny had played in the Mingus Big Band (both can also be heard on the “Live In Time” album by the group, released in 1996). On the day of…