By Abe Beeson and Justin Steyer During this performance interview with The Greyboy Allstars, Jazz24/KPLU jazz host, Abe Beeson, called their latest CD (Inland Emperor) ‘the party album of 2013.’ The Greyboy Allstars’ reputation as a party/dance band is well-earned. They’ve been playing terrific jazz/funk all over the world for almost 20 years, staying […]
A musician who served under Art Blakey, Betty Carter and with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Miller can be heard on more than 500 albums, including several with his own bands. Beloved by multiple generations of fellow musicians for his commanding, supple style and generous mentorship, he was 57.
Four years after it was recorded live in Lucerne, Switzerland, an album of six standards called Somewhere is finally getting a proper release.
Musically speaking, it’s hard to discern much of a connection to The Rite Of Spring in saxophonist Phil Woods’ Rights Of Swing suite. But in the final “Presto” section, he and his French horn player leave a little Easter egg for us — like many jazz recordings before and after it.
A 100-year-old ballet, composed by a Russian for a French audience, has become something of a standard in an idiom which didn’t exist when it premiered. Whether covered, quoted or praised, Stravinsky’s masterwork has inspired multiple generations of improvisers.
Salvant discusses her journey to discover jazz, and Jon Weber accompanies her in “I Can’t Dance.”
Sonny Boy Williamson was a blues originator who helped shape the sound of modern blues. In his life, he knew the first generation of Delta bluesmen, and would go on to see the birth of modern rock music. He played with Robert Johnson in the 1930’s, and with Eric Clapton in the 1960’s.
The great composer and bandleader was distraught over the 1967 death of Billy Strayhorn, his songwriting and arranging partner of 28 years. But Ellington took Strayhorn’s passing as an impetus, born of necessity, to increase his own productivity. Here are five examples.
At the Village Vanguard, one flight down from the hubbub of New York City, in a tight space packed with people, we’re about to embark on a musical odyssey by sea. Our captain is saxophonist Chris Potter, who’s launching his Odyssey-inspired album The Sirens.
The two artists are known opposites in the world of instrumental music. On Metheny’s latest, the jazz guitarist wrings an unexpectedly visual listening experience from Zorn’s knotty compositions.
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