It was during his first encore, a long solo piece incorporating various tunes from his vast catalogue, when he set an exclamation mark after one of his signature tunes, “This Is Not America”, and proved that it is currently at least as valid as back in 1985 when it was originally released. For over two…
Saint Petersburg is not only the host city of the 2018 International Jazz Day, celebrated annually on April 30th in more than 190 countries, but also hosts the first international jazz forum and festival in Russia. Jazz Across Borders (JAB) will be held on November 17th and 18th in the State Academic Capella. JAB will…
Resilience is not only the title of singer Rondi Charleston‘s new album, but also the first release for the Resilience Music Alliance which she co-founded with her husband, political/social activist and art patron Steve Ruchevsky. Rondi’s six own compositions show a depth and maturity that is a rare breed these days. “Around The Corner” might…
It is now the most important Jazzfest in New York and for its 14th edition, the Winter Jazzfest extends a bit and will run January 10th to 17th. The main ingredient will be the Marathon weekend again, to be held on numerous stages throughout downtown Manhattan, mainly in the Village. I have seen tons of…
It was during the set of Charlottas Burnin’ Trio when I thought that I was at a hard rock concert. Electric guitarist Charlotta Andersson from Sweden led her psychedelic trio with a lot of long, unwinding psycho solos where rock was king and jazz just an aide. Earlier that night during the official opening of…
The years from 1979 to 1983 are the most important years in our vita – most of the LPs which I bought during those years are still vital, crucial, elemental, and timeless. Just three examples: the Quincy Jones-produced album “Give Me The Night” by George Benson, featuring, among many others, the monumental, lavishly arranged and…
The Scandinavia-oriented Scope Festival will start its second year tomorrow here in Berlin. From October 18th to October 30th, people will get an extensive overview of the Scandinavian Jazz and beyond scene. The Helsinki-based We Jazz label will present a few bands of its artist roster on October 27th at Monarch, Skalitzer Straße 134. Drummer…
We’re usually going to Italy for a week or two each year, our favorite spots being somewhere in the Tuscanny or Liguria region where you have everything: beautiful landscape, amazing food and wines, wonderful people and the beach close by. At the beach, you always have people walking around selling stuff like clothes or food…
Another homecoming record of sorts here from Dee Dee Bridgewater who recorded an album of songs associated with her hometown Memphis, Tennessee. Barbara Mason‘s “Yes , I’m Ready” starts off this mixed bag and it is clearly the most fulfilling and satisfying tune on the album. After the opening, things get worse. Her voice sounds…
Last year’s album “Cloak” is still prominently featured on my iphone playlist so whenever I’m going out to walk Gina, chances are there’s a track from Jordan Rakei playing on my headphones. The 25-year old singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer from New Zealand, who now lives in London, graced the stages of this year’s XJazz…