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…
You can tell that Jarrod Lawson has already found his own style. The new Soul/Jazz wonder from Portland, Oregon is responsible for writing most of the music on Tahira Memory‘s brilliant debut album “Pride”. He also co-produced the album, plays all instruments except drums and guitar and sings. His duet with her during his live…
No, I haven’t visited the Festival this year as I have done so many times over the years, mostly during the 90s and the early 00s. But I think it is worthy of note that the 49th edition has, again, convinced the audience and the artists alike after the passing of Festival founder and head…
The Neue Heimat in Friedrichshain has established itself as one of the places to be in Berlin with its various events and the regular street food market being a big draw for the neighborhood and tourists alike. Now comes the announcement for a new Festival that will take place on the grounds of the Neue…
Hot on the heels of his new “Covered” album, which was recorded at the famous Capitol Studios in Hollywood before a live audience, Robert Glasper returns to Berlin for a Saturday night performance at Kreuzberg’s Gretchen. On his album, he recorded tracks from Bilal, Joni Mitchell, or Radiohead in acoustic trio versions with some special…
The group Kleeer consisted of songwriter and drummer Woody Cunningham, bassist Norman Durham, guitarist and keyboardist Richard Lee, and percussionist Paul Crutchfield, with Woody taking over most lead vocals and Norman as main singer on several songs. They have released a timeless all-time favorite to my ears: the 1979 classic “Open Your Mind” from their…
Rudresh Mahanthappa opened the final day of the 40th North Sea Jazz Edition. And even though he was offering the music from his most recent Charlie Parker-inspired project, I couldn’t really draw the line to the saxophone hero. But nevertheless, the band was delivering, especially 20-year old Adam O’Farrill (yes he’s from that family). Curtis…
“Music Is Our Healing. It’s our spiritual language”, said legendary pianist Randy Weston during his duo appearance with the equally impressive Billy Harper at last night’s performance in the Madeira hall at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Randy Weston, now 89, very early in his career incorporated the rhythms of Africa, most prominently those of…
It was the perfect start to the 40th anniversary edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival last night. Jarrod Lawson & The Good People opened the night at Congo with their unbelievably funky, soulful, and intense set. Like in previous concerts I saw in Paris and Berlin, here’s a future Soul star with a mesmerizing…