Life magazine has called it “the country’s very best music festival”. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, first held in 1970, continues to “celebrate the culture of Louisiana with the combined fervor of a gospel hymn and the joy of a jazz parade”, according to the website. Just announced: the lineup…
If there is one singer whose voice is reminiscent of the late great Luther Vandross, it has to be Marc Staggers. The Washington, D.C. singer has just released his fourth album “Dream Catcher”. After many years in the Gospel music world, Staggers turned to Soul with his 2009 R&B debut album “Then And Now” and…
To record the music of Abbey Lincoln is a very brave undertaking and not many musicians have taken on the dramatic, often political statements and witty lyricism of this timeless artist. In 2013, her former pianist Marc Cary released a beautiful solo homage called “For The Love Of Abbey”. And now comes German singer Esther…
I must admit that “Joanna” is not really my favorite Kool & The Gang song, but it does have a lasting trombone solo courtesy of Clifford Adams who died of liver cancer on Monday morning at the young age of 62. According to NJ.com, the Trenton, N.J., native “had no health insurance to cover medical…
Trumpet and flugelhorn artist Matt Lavelle studied with Ornette Coleman back in 2005 and subsequently took on the alto clarinet as well. The avant-garde musician who also has his own blog, teams up with John Pietaro, the vibraphonist and percussionist for an album of the music of Thelonious Monk. Both are known for their more…
Pianist David Hazeltine is Number 1 on the year’s first JazzWeek chart with his tribute album “I Remember Cedar” dedicated to Cedar Walton. The album also features David Williams and Joe Farnsworth. The duo album “The Art Of Conversation” by Kenny Barron and Dave Holland remains at Number 2 and the new HighNote release from…
The father of modern Gospel music, Andraé Crouch, was hospitalized late last year for heart failure and again early this year for a heart attack. His sister Sandra released this statement yesterday: “Today my twin brother, womb-mate and best friend went home to be with the Lord. Please keep me, my family and our church…
I don’t have any children but I can easily find joy and pleasure in Lori Henriques‘ children’s album “How Great Can This Day Be” because there are lots of interesting influences and arrangements which put this work beyond the “for children only” niche. The opening title track reminds me of the best Bob Dorough songs…
The BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards have been announced. Ann Hampton Callaway is the “Queen of Broadway”, she has garnered the most votes and is now officially “Performer of the Year”. Congratulations Ann! In the “Best Jazz Vocalist” category, there is a tie between Jane Monheit, who has won two years in a row, and…
Through its Competition and wide range of year-round programs, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is committed to identifying and training the world’s leading young jazz musicians who will preserve the traditions of jazz while expanding the music in new directions. That’s what is said on the Thelonious Monk Institute Organisation website and this past…