Written by Kevin Kniestedt This list, which took the better part of four years, was inspired by those who said that jazz was limited to a certain style or type of performer. The idea behind this list was not to create a “best” albums list, but rather a extensive list of albums that covered as [...]

  By Kevin Kniestedt   As we head into the new year, I decided to take a look back at some of the things I saw dominate discussion as it relates to jazz over the last year, and I must say, I have no issue with many of them never being discussed again. I know [...]

  As we wrap up 2012, I’d like to take some time to remember some of the wonderful contributors to jazz that passed away in 2012. Here is a short list of some of the great musicians we lost over the last year, and as always, feel free to share your memories of these musicians, [...]

As I mentioned last year, I am well aware that there are a lot of people who do not care for “best” or “top 10″ being used when it comes to recognizing outstanding achievement, especially when it comes to music. For those of you that applies to, you are welcome to call it my “favorites”, [...]

The 13th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will  air live  in the United States on the Univision Network  from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central) tonight.

A new book for children on John Coltrane was released last week (click here to buy). Here is the press release: Sometimes, when you lose almost everything as a child, a lifeline appears that restores your faith and re-ignites your spirit. For John Coltrane, that lifeline was the saxophone, and the musical dreams it inspired. [...]

Latin jazz bandleader and conguero player Poncho Sanchez was among the list of individuals who will receive The Latin Recording Academy®’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The list of winners, which also includes Luz Casal, Leo Dan, Rita Moreno, Milton Nascimento, Daniela Romo, and Toquinho, was announced last Thursday. “This year’s exceptional group of honorees not only [...]

Jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard tweeted this afternoon that he had just finished the writing of a new opera called Champion. The work is set to premier June 15-30 2013 at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. This is from Blanchard’s Facebook page this afternoon: Just finished writing my first Opera (Champion). It’s been [...]

I know. I know. It is widely assumed and believed that smell is the strongest sense tied to memory. But for me (and a handful of musicians that I spoke to), music – in some cases even just a few bars of a song – can draw upon some of the most powerful memories in [...]

The U.S. Postal Service is partnering with La Poste of France to celebrate the musical talents of Edith Piaf and Miles Davis with the Miles Davis/Edith Piaf (Forever®) stamps. Music speaks an international language and these stamps celebrate a lively conversation between the U.S. and France. Edith Piaf (1915-1963) is one of the few French [...]

When I made the attempt to contact bassist James Genus for an interview, he wasn’t able to immediately get back to me. When he did a few days later, the voicemail he left started like this: “Hey Kevin, it’s James Genus returning your call. Sorry I didn’t get back to you right away. I was [...]

Why Jazz Happened (due out in December of 2012) is the first comprehensive social history of jazz. It provides an intimate and compelling look at the many forces that shaped this most American of art forms and the many influences that gave rise to jazz’s post-war styles. Rich with the voices of musicians, producers, promoters, [...]

The 38th Annual Jazz Record Collectors Bash will kick off Friday, June 29th at the Hilton Woodbridge in Iselin, New Jersey, and run through Saturday June 30th. Those attending will be able to buy, sell, swap, and trade 78′s, LP’s, CD’s and memorabilia, as well as view some very rare jazz films. On Friday, jazz [...]

Rarely-Heard Recording Includes Original Cookbook of Louis’ Most-Loved Recipes This release comes from Smithsonian Folkway Recordings. Jazz icon Louis Armstrong, always the consummate entertainer, turned a 1971 award ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington DC into an impromptu performance ­despite recent poor health. It was one of his last concerts before he passed [...]

Originally, a limited vinyl release by the National Press Club in 1972, one of the last recordings of Louis Armstrong will be available widely for the first time via Smithsonian Folkways Recordings on April 24th as part of the Smithsonian’s celebration of the 11th annual Jazz Appreciation Month. Armstrong often signed letters “Red Beans and [...]

Every so often, a barrage of articles and blog posts come out claiming that jazz has found the musician or musicians that are going to “save” jazz. More often than not, these musicians are achieving some current commercial success and popularity among a broad audience outside of the typical “jazz head” community. Recently, bassist/vocalist Esperanza [...]