by Shannon J. Effinger
When he was 21, pianist Marc Cary moved to New York City to find his father. He wound up finding himself in the upper echelons of the city's jazz scene. Cary's new album pays tribute to the legendary singer and songwriter with whom he spent more than a decade performing.
by Patrick Jarenwattananon
Self-taught and enterprising, Tucker contributed to plenty of great jazz recordings as a sideman in New York and Los Angeles. But the log of his discography barely begins to describe the legacy he left behind in his adopted hometown of Savannah, Ga.
by Patrick Jarenwattananon
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.
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by Patrick Jarenwattananon
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.
WFIUThe 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.
by Alan Greenblatt
He was a soulful reedman, an amazing talent scout for decades and a bandleader of one of the country's most popular acts. Born in 1913, Herman led "Thundering Herds" that were both big draws and well-respected by the likes of Igor Stravinsky. Here are five recordings which still sound fresh today.
by Lara Pellegrinelli
"Women in Jazz Day" officially hits New York City Friday, complete with a new documentary on the subject. While the celebration is deserving, it remains incomplete, commentator Lara Pellegrinelli says. She lists many more resources on the subject — on film, print and wax.
by Ben Goldberg
Clarinetist and composer Ben Goldberg says his is an "instrument that at times responds better to the oblique glance than direct confrontation." He picks five players who have worked with the difficult horn, yielding unique and personal beauty in the process.
At the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, every sort of performer was welcome. But the festival grounds were at the center of a much wider celebration of Louisiana music that continued during, around and after the last two weekends.
by Eve Troeh
WWNOSome of the most iconic images of New Orleans musicians have come from its annual Jazz & Heritage festival — thanks to the scores of photographers who crowd the apron of the stage, vying for the best shots. Eve Troeh, of member station WWNO, tagged along with one of them this year.
by Howard Mandel
Pianist and composer John Beasley isn't exactly a household name. But he's now been tapped twice to direct many of them during the star-studded International Jazz Day concert. So is it difficult to play "jazz police" in an ancient church in Istanbul?
by Tim Wilkins
WBGOBremen may be best known for its love of soccer and Beck's beer. But in April, more than 20,000 jazz fans and industry professionals descend upon the German port city for a festival designed specifically to showcase new acts from across Europe.
by Patrick Jarenwattananon
In 1982, Jaki Byard and Tommy Flanagan played a duet date in San Francisco. Both pianists were of equal stature, among the best-respected in jazz history. But a newly released recording of that event illustrates why their differences are plenty interesting, too.
From 1948 until 1966, the Palladium Ballroom, at the corner of 53rd and Broadway, was the city's mecca for Afro-Caribbean dance music. And for a lot of that time, Puente was one of the main attractions. A new box set compiles the Latin music legend's RCA recordings of this crucial period.
Jazz24The advent of bebop added a fresh sound to American music. It also added new voices to some metropolitan radio stations: the late-night jazz DJs who specialized in presenting this new music to their fellow hipster nightflies. Appreciative musicians often wrote them tributes like these.
