Since Herbie Hancock is among my alltime favorite artists, I would like to share this info about an upcoming talk about one of the most influential artists of our time. On November 24th, New York’s Jazz Standard and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center present a virtual conversation about Herbie. Two members of his touring…
Those were his words describing his band and what was going on on stage. “insane, out there, weird, spacy”. Indeed, the opening number was an atmospheric track right out of space, with a heavy and thick keyboard curtain from his Korg Kronos. It was the first time that I saw the keyboard maestro with his…
The last time the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute Competition focused on vocals was back in 2010. The three winners were Cécile McLorin Salvant, Charnée Wade, and Cyrille Aimée. All three of them are now having an international career, with Cécile just recently playing the Berlin Jazzfest. Among the judges five years ago were Patti Austin,…
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 International Jazz Day was launched in 2012. Back then, about 70 countries worldwide participated in daylong celebrations of this music and to spread awareness. This year, nearly all 196 U.N. member states are taking part on April 30th with special events planned on that day. Jazz Day again is presented by the Thelonious Monk…
I never quiet understood why Donald Byrd was criticized when he recorded his infamous albums in 1981 and 1982 which were produced by Isaac Hayes. Sell-out was the quote of the day and yet, his 1981 album “Love Byrd” for me belongs to my all-time favorite top ten albums. The album starts with an eight-minute…
This year, the number of releases of biographical or autobiographical books is pretty strong. I only want to focus on four of them which more or less came out in the last couple of months and which I’m planning to read during the winter season. “Is That All There Is? The Strange Life Of Peggy…