Bert Noglik, the artistic director for the Berlin Jazzfest, now in his third year, loves irritations, as he said last night during the press conference where the anniversary edition was presented. And so, there actually are a lot of irritating moments, at least on paper, but I’m sure on stage as well, when you look…
Did you make your plans for 2015 yet? If not, maybe these two calendars will help you make at least some of them. Sven Thielmann produced two beautiful calendars with pictures of pianists and saxophonists he has made over the years. “Jazz Saxophonisten 2015” is not only a beautiful work of art for jazz enthusiasts, but…
For the fifth year, Hamburg will have its Überjazz Festival in late October this year. The weekend of October 24th to 26th, Hamburg’s Kampnagel will have four stages under one roof with a very diverse program me which I’m sure will attract a lot of out-of-towners as well. Blue Note Records is celebrating its 75th…
The release of the new Diana Krall album, “Wallflower”, has been postponed worldwide to February 2015. Krall has recorded her newest CD with producer and Verve chief David Foster. The album features songs from the 60s and 70s like “California Dreamin’”, the Eagles’ “I Can’t Tell You Why” and “Desperado”, “Sorry Seems To Be The…
The UK based Soul/Funk/Jazz combo Shakatak were at the forefront of a new music movement in the early 80s. Bands from the UK were experimenting with Fusion sounds and incorporating Soul into their Jazz act or Jazz into their Funk acts. One group who can still stand the test of time is Light Of The…
It is hard to believe that Michael Franks is already 70. The singer and songwriter with the unusual and high voice has been making music since 1973. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform last October at B.B. King’s in New York and his charming and witty attitude and his formidable musicianship were truly amazing. From…
I remember Roy Kral picking me up in Montclair, New Jersey with his old, golden Mercedes and taking me to his and his wife’s home. Jackie Cain greeted me as if we hadn’t seen each other for a long time whereas it was our first encounter. What was supposed to be a 45-minute interview with…
One of the most prestigious and popular festivals in Germany, the Jazzfest Berlin, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Martin Luther King’s visit to Berlin in 1964 and the fall of the Berlin Wall will be topics among this year’s program. „Freedom Songs“ is the title of a specially designed evening which will feature…
So many classic recordings feature his signature keyboard and piano playing. His robust Fender Rhodes has graced the music of Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, Michale Franks, or B.B. King. But of course, his roots were planted in the early 60s when he founded the Jazz Crusaders with Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson,…
Five years after his critically acclaimed album „Time Flies“, the legendary singer and songwriter offers an album with 11 of his hits recorded with a stellar cast of guest singers. Eight of the 11 tracks were originally recorded in the 60s with his group The Miracles. Mr. Robinson still has his signature high and at…