John Murph John Murph writes about music and culture and works as a web producer for BETJazz.com. He also contributes regularly to The Washington Post Express, JazzTimes, Down Beat, and JazzWise magazines.
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John Murph

Story Archive

Tuesday

Sonnymoon. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

'Just Before Dawn' by Sonnymoon

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Tuesday

Scott Tixier's "Elephant Rose" taps into modern-day nostalgia and still brings about something fresh. Chris Drukker hide caption

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Chris Drukker

'Elephant Rose' by Scott Tixier

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Wednesday

Underneath the firepower in Alfredo Rodriguez's "Fog" lies the work of a remarkable composer. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Fog' by Alfredo Rodriguez

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Tuesday

Kenny Garrett's "Welcome Earth Song" conjures the spirit of Pharoah Sanders — and a soul-stirring church service. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Welcome Earth Song' by Kenny Garrett

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Monday

Drummer Johnathan Blake tackles Robert Glasper's "Canvas," and in the process gives it a renewed sheen. Emra Islek hide caption

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Emra Islek

'Canvas' by Johnathan Blake

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Tuesday

Jazz singer Theo Bleckmann tackles Bush's classic "Love and Anger" with a sharp mind and a soulful heart. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Love and Anger' by Theo Bleckmann

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Tuesday

Vijay Iyer and his trio masterfully articulate a complex composition's exuberant, zigzagging melody. Jimmy Katz hide caption

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Jimmy Katz

'Little Pocket Size Demons' by Vijay Iyer Trio

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Monday

The Revelations' "Something's Got to Give" captures real-life desperation, for desperate real-life times. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Something's Got to Give" by The Revelations feat. Tre Williams

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Thursday

Carolina Chocolate Drops' "Country Girl" is a 21st-century musical portrait of black America's Southern comfort. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Country Girl' by Carolina Chocolate Drops

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Thursday

Enrico Rava's "Cornettology" slyly alludes to several of Ornette Coleman's compositions without quoting them outright. Roberto Masotti hide caption

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Roberto Masotti

'Cornettology' by Enrico Rava Quintet

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Wednesday

Paired with Madlib's soulful evocation of sunlight piercing through clouds, M.E.D.'s "Mystical Magic" is a distinctive slice of hip-hop. Eric Coleman hide caption

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Eric Coleman

'Mystical Magic' by M.E.D.

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Friday

Bypassing vocal histrionics, Zara McFarlane takes a suspenseful route in "More Than Mine (Alternate Take)." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'More Than Mine (Alternate Take)' by Zara McFarlane

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Tuesday

In a cover of Sly Stone's "Family Affair," Steven Bernstein's gripping arrangement deftly underscores Antony Hegarty's haunting croon. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Family Affair' by Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra

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Tuesday

Chicago-bred jazz crooner Sachal Vasandani examines the horror of Japan's recent tsunami by studying it from eye level. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Flood' by Sachal Vasandani

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Thursday

Alan Hampton's bittersweet "Change Your Mind" could be reconfigured into a hit in just about any genre. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Change Your Mind' by Alan Hampton

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Monday

In "The Riddle," Becca Stevens speaks a universal language: that of a tormented soul pining for an unrequited love. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'The Riddle' by Becca Stevens Band

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Friday

As horns triumphantly enter the fray, the bewitching and modern magnetism of King's "Supernatural" becomes inescapable. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'Supernatural' by King

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Friday

The New York band Jazz Passengers recently got back together, and recorded a familiar cover to mark the occasion. courtesy of DL Media/Justin Time Records hide caption

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courtesy of DL Media/Justin Time Records

'Reunited' by The Jazz Passengers

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Wednesday

Lizz Wright invigorates "God Specializes" with timeless fervor by channeling her pedigree in Hahira, Ga. Vincent Soyez hide caption

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Vincent Soyez

Friday

In "Shudder and Cry," a blues-drenched guitar solo accentuates a sorrowful chorus: "It's a crying shame." courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Tuesday

"Protegid" finds Carmen Souza powering her voice with the assured intuition and inventiveness of a jazz singer. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

'Protegid' by Carmen Souza

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Tuesday

Pianist Jacky Terrasson fuses Michael Jackson's "Beat It" with the jazz standard "Body and Soul." courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Monday

The modern string band takes Blu Cantrell's 2001 smash "Hit 'Em Up Style" back to the 1920s. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Thursday

In the appropriately titled "Detroit Loveletter," Jose James sounds smart, sexy and soulful. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist