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Now Playing : A Blog Supreme From time to time, we hear a recording or concert which merits comment and deserves to be passed along. Here are our recommendations and reviews of new releases and goings-on in jazz today, with as many opportunities for preview listening as we can provide.

A Blog Supreme

From NPR Jazz

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Time Is On Their Side: Ageless Jazz Drumming

"Killer" Ray Appleton, a veteran drummer with the wisdom of experience and ageless swing. Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist

Review

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Time Is On Their Side: Ageless Jazz Drumming

March 6, 2013 • Veteran jazz masters "Killer" Ray Appleton and Barry Altschul have issued fine new albums this year. Both in their early 70s, it's clear they draw from extensive experience. So how might that translate to making music that's fun to listen to?

Winter Jazzfest 2013: The Sounds Of Surprise

John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com

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Winter Jazzfest 2013: The Sounds Of Surprise

January 15, 2013 • It's a festival with everything between international headliners and relative unknowns, intricately-plotted compositions and completely free improvisation, high-concept one-offs and bands shaped over decades. See photos from the nine-year-old marathon of new bands and repertoires in New York.

15 Jazz Albums To Look Out For In 2013

Wayne Shorter. Robert Ascroft/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Robert Ascroft/Courtesy of the artist

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15 Jazz Albums To Look Out For In 2013

January 10, 2013 • The new year's major releases so far feature a few living legends and a lot of drummers in charge. Here's a preview of some records which will be talked about by jazz aficionados, including new efforts from Chris Potter, Darcy James Argue and Wayne Shorter.

Philip Dizack: What You Learn When You're Older

Philip Dizack at WBGO, with saxophonist Jake Saslow in the background. Josh Jackson/WBGO hide caption

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Josh Jackson/WBGO

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Philip Dizack: What You Learn When You're Older

WBGO

October 16, 2012 • A lot can happen in six years. For one young New York-based jazz trumpeter, losses in the family and gains in musical maturity were enough to inspire a new album, End of an Era. He and his band visited WBGO's studios for this in-studio recording.

Philip Dizack in Studio at WBGO

28:07

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Heavy Rotation: Chano Dominguez, 'Freddie Freeloader'

Chano Dominguez. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

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Heavy Rotation: Chano Dominguez, 'Freddie Freeloader'

WBGO

July 5, 2012 • Gary Walker, music director of WBGO in Newark, highlights the pianist's take on a Miles Davis classic.

Chano Dominguez - 'Freddie Freeloader'

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Heavy Rotation: Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio, 'The 11th Gate'

Dennis Rollins's Velocity Trio Motema Records hide caption

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Motema Records

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Heavy Rotation: Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio, 'The 11th Gate'

July 3, 2012 • Matt Fleeger of KMHD in Portland, Ore., highlights the British trombone player's new album.

Heavy Rotation: George Benson, 'Naima'

George Benson. Concord Jazz hide caption

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Concord Jazz

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Heavy Rotation: George Benson, 'Naima'

CapRadio News

July 3, 2012 • Gary G. Vercelli of California's Capital Public Radio finds the jazz guitarist covering a Coltrane classic.

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The Different Beat Of The Same Drummer

May 29, 2012 • Henry Cole's debut album is an Afrobeat party — which isn't that far removed from his jazz style.

Modern Jazz Hasn't Forgotten To Dance

Anzic Records

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Modern Jazz Hasn't Forgotten To Dance

April 26, 2012 • Music videos from Now vs. Now and Third World Love convey the movement imperative of a groove.

A Caged Lion Sings A Ballad

Vincent Soyez/Motema Music

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A Caged Lion Sings A Ballad

March 22, 2012 • A new video from vocalist and songwriter Gregory Porter literally dances around unrequited love.

Esperanza Spalding: Searching For The New 'Atlantis'

Saxophonist Wayne Shorter performs during the Marciac Jazz festival in 2005. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

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Esperanza Spalding: Searching For The New 'Atlantis'

March 12, 2012 • If you were looking for an aesthetic on her new record, think '80s Wayne Shorter.

Just A Ballad, Played Really Really Well

Kendrick Scott, through the crook of John Ellis' saxophone. Byung Seok Lee/Berklee College of Music hide caption

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Byung Seok Lee/Berklee College of Music

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Just A Ballad, Played Really Really Well

March 9, 2012 • "Body and Soul," as performed by John Ellis, Joshua Crumbly and Kendrick Scott.

Kendrick Scott And Oracle At Berklee

9:34

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Performance Enhancing Drums

Rudesh Mahanthappa performs with his band at a Tiny Desk Concert on Feb. 1, 2012. Emily Bogle/NPR hide caption

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Emily Bogle/NPR

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Performance Enhancing Drums

March 8, 2012 • Where plugged-in jazz meets Olympic athletes on steroids.

On The Jazz Cover: Reading Between The Lines

The Vijay Iyer Trio. L-R: Stephan Crump, Marcus Gilmore, Iyer. Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist

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On The Jazz Cover: Reading Between The Lines

March 7, 2012 • What we can learn when a composer has a predilection for playing other people's music? The pianist Vijay Iyer offers a few clues into his musical milieu on his new trio album — and his old one, too.

New Esperanza Spalding Song In Time For Black History Month

Esperanza Spalding. Sandrine Lee/Montuno hide caption

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Sandrine Lee/Montuno

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New Esperanza Spalding Song In Time For Black History Month

February 2, 2012 • "Black Gold," a song about "African American heritage before slavery," premiered on BET last night.

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