North Sea Jazz Festival 2015 – 40th Anniversary with Special Treats

North Sea Jazz Festival 2015 – 40th Anniversary with Special Treats

It’s festival season in Europe and each year, there are more and more coming up – even in the smallest cities and towns you’ve never heard of. One of the biggest and oldest celebrates its 40th anniversary this year: the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam. I’ve been visiting this one since the late 80s…

Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective – Breathless

Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective – Breathless

This new electric band led by trumpeter Terence Blanchard came together last October and then went on a two-week European tour. Terence himself said that he thought the audience at Milano’s Blue Note were a little shocked since most of them had expected an acoustic set. But then everything clicked and they received a standing…

Mario Biondi – Beyond

Mario Biondi – Beyond

The new album from singer Mario Biondi is a pretty mixed affair. Actually, it really doesn’t say anything anymore after the fourth track, except maybe for the Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick-penned and -produced “Another Kind Of Love”. I have always admired the Barry White-ness in his voice, so natural and without coming over like a cheap…

ECHO Jazz 2015 in Hamburg

ECHO Jazz 2015 in Hamburg

It was a smooth show last night at the Blohm & Voss shipyards in Hamburg. The ECHO Jazz Awards 2015 were hosted by Gregory Porter (who also won one trophy and performed “Liquid Spirit” and “Brown Grass”) and Roger Cicero. Entertaining, no awkward lenghts, very good live performances, and short acceptance speeches from all winners…