I remember Bill Frisell‘s fantastic performance at last year’s North Sea Jazz Festival – it was actually one of the best concerts I saw during those three days. Part of his repertoire were songs from movies and TV and his latest album is just that: Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Henry Mancini and music from “Psycho”…
It is his most ambitious recording project yet, according to the liner notes. And even though he has indeed recorded what feels like a million different things, it seems hard to believe that Nils Landgren will turn 60 next month. So consider this as his birthday present – and he not only has the Bochumer…
The first names for the 41st North Sea Jazz Festival have been announced this morning. Among the artists for Friday, July 8th, are The Roots, Snarky Puppy, Diana Krall, Antonio Sanchez and Migration, and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah presents Stretch Music. On Saturday, July 9th, we’ll get Steps Ahead Reunion, Level 42, Branford Marsalis featuring Kurt Elling…
New York-born pianist Jon Davis, longtime member of the band of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, releases his third album for the Posi-Tone label called “Changes Over Time”. And he opens his set with an ebullient interpretation of the Mal Waldron classic “Soul Eyes” infusing it with panache and ease. His band mates are bassist Ugonna Okegwo,…
espAfrika, the organizers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, have once again come up with an exciting artist line-up for the 17th edition of the festival, which is to be held on April 1st and 2nd. There will be around 37.000 visitors again this year and among the international acts are Angie Stone, who…
The French-born, Brooklyn-based Cyrille Aimée who has won the Montreux Vocal Jazz Competition back in 2007 and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2012, was also a finalist at the Thelonious Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition in 2010, and now comes up with her new album “Let’s Get Lost” which features four original tunes and numerous…
And here he goes again. At 81, tenor saxophonist Houston Person has recorded another of his typical, elegant and bluesy, mellow and sophisticated albums. Houston, a longtime collaborator with the legendary Etta Jones, has always been a musician who had a deep understanding and knowledge of the lyrics of the songs he recorded. Best heard…
James Gavin, author of the praised “Is That All There Is? The Strange Life Of Peggy Lee” biography, hosted a highly entertaining evening on Thursday night during Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Series (they had Vanessa Williams opening this year’s season the night before, see review on these pages). Highly entertaining regarding to James’ lively and…
Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series had Vanessa Williams last night at the incredible Appel Room. I do find myself watching the long stretch of 59th Street and the dark Central Park drama on the left vs the bustling Midtown to the right instead of what’s going on on the stage. But with Vanessa Williams, it…
This has finally been a day without any live music can you imagine? After a couple of meetings and a nice chat over coffee with singer Kenia, I met my friend Becca for a long walk through Central Park. It was still pretty cold, but with the sun out we could easily walk from around 72nd…