Legendary South African musician Abdullah Ibrahim, who changed his name from Dollar Brand in 1968 when he converted to Islam and whose “Mannenberg” composition is often dubbed the unofficial South African anthem, died yesterday in Priem am Chiemsee, Germany. His performances often seemed like meditations in recent years. The last time I saw him perform…
John Carroll Kirby, the Los Angeles-based keyboardist, composer, and producer, just released the second single off his upcoming solo project “Piano Works 2016-2026”, due August 28th on Stones Throw Records. The album collects 14 impromptu pieces, composed and recorded whenever he had the opportunity to sit at a piano while on tour. The pieces on…
For this year’s Kunstfest Pankow, promoter Gesobau has come up with yet another great line-up again. Jazz & Soul award winner Savannah Hauskeller will perform later this afternoon. Also, top guitarist Torsten Goods will feature singer Kim Sanders. Highlights for today are UK singer Omar who released his brilliant new album “Brighter The Days” last…
It’s as if you’re transported back to the early 80s with lots of thick boogie, soul and funk sounds. With crisp production, ultra cool vocal arrangements and vital original compositions, the 11-piece Jéroboam from Paris just released their debut LP on Favorite Recordings. Starting out with the boogie funk of “Sweet Addiction”, the tune sounds…
On September 11th, singer and composer Gretchen Parlato will release her next album “The Wise Ones” on Edition Records. Co-produced by Alan Hampton, the album is Gretchen’s way of dealing with growth, connection, and renewal. The stunning 11-song collection features Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gerald Clayton, Amber Navran, Becca Stevens, and Mark Guiliana. The album…
Los Angeles-based pianist/keyboardist/producer Kiefer, one of the most prolific artists on the scene since almost a decade, has signed with the prestigious Blue Note Records label. He will release his debut solo album for the label in the fall. Commenting on his new label home, Kiefer says: “When I was four years old, my dad…
Zig Zag, Berlin’s finest jazz club, and Ella Radio, Berlin’s jazz radio station, present the first ever Zig Zag Jazz Festival at Gasometer, one of the most innovative and modern concert locations in town. With the main stage at the Forum, an amphitheater as a smaller space, and a roof deck on the 15th floor,…
Brazilian bassist, composer, and producer Moyses Dos Santos will release his debut album “Maria” on June 12th on Far Out Recordings. The now London-based musician, one of the UK’s premier jazz and funk bassists, has worked with Arthur Verocai, Theo Croker, Kiko Continentino, and Lynda Dawn on his album. Three singles have already been released….
Tom Misch, the London-based singer, producer, composer, songwriter, and guitarist and one of our favorite musicians, released his latest album “Full Circle” in late March. The 11-track album, full of soulful vocals, intimate and deeply personal stories and fantastic musicianship, is a constant mainstay on our playlist. Tom recently announced some live dates in Europe….
We’ve recently received a track which is the perfect soundtrack to our quiet garden mornings here in the north of Berlin. It’s the new single from the Chicago jazz collective Blue Earth Sound, led by multi-instrumentalist and composer James Weir. The tune is called “Japanese Green” and is the second single off the forthcoming EP…