She just finished her European tour. I was lucky to catch up with her in Vienna. I’m still going back to her 1985 LP “Good Morning Kiss”. Her new one, “Soul To Soul”, is her best so far and one of the best recordings of 2014. Happy Birthday Carmen and many more to come!
Tunisian oud player and composer Anouar Brahem, with his brilliant mix of Arab classical music, Jazz, and Folk, will play three exclusive concerts in Germany as part of the successful JazzNights series, organised by Karsten Jahnke and now running for 25 years. Anouar has released his first album on the legendary German-based ECM label back…
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…
This performance was worth the trip alone: Lisa Fischer and Ledisi perform the music of Nina Simone accompanied by the Metropole Orkest with Jules Buckley conducting. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that both Ledisi and Lisa Fischer are among the most amazing vocalists around today. What they brought to the table last…
This upcoming week, Berlin has several top live acts as guests. Starting on Monday, Roy Hargrove and his Quintet will grace the stage at A-Trane for three consecutive nights. Roy is bringing his current group with Justin Robinson (sax), Sullivan Fortner (p), Ameen Saleem (b), and Quincy Phillips (dr). Everybody’s darling Gregory Porter returns to…
One of the great soul singers, older brother of one-time Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, Jimmy died last Monday in a Las Vegas hospital at the age of 78. Probably best known for his big hit “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” in 1966 (the song went to Number 7 in the Billboard Pop Charts), he…
Godfather of neo-soul and fusion jazz, Roy Ayers, who celebrated his 80th birthday in September, plays a few exclusive dates at Keystone Corner in Baltimore. Roy plays two sets each on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week, with premium seating and general admission. But you can also buy a streaming pass for just $15.00…