Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” is beautiful. It’s peculiar. It’s sad. It reflects a path of life on which we have all wandered. But which version is best?

Recorded 50 years ago this month, Joe Henderson’s ‘Power to the People’ features perhaps his most varied track listing and his best-ever backing band.

Fifty years ago, Herbie Hancock paused to have a little cartoon-related fun. And when Herbie is having fun, his listeners usually are, too.

Jazz Dispensary reissues two early 70s documents of explorative jazz: Gary Bartz NTU Troop – ‘Harlem Bush Music – Uhuru’ (1971) and Joe Henderson feat Alice Coltrane – ‘The Elements’ (1973)

Our newest Desert Island Discs poll delves into one of jazz music’s signature labels, as we’re castaway to the isle of Blue Note. You May Also Like: Blue Note at 80: Revelatory Reissues From Kenny Burrell, Andrew Hill + Others Lee Morgan – ‘I Called Him Morgan’ (2017, DVD) MilesRead More

Recently, we’ve said goodbye to some jazz greats. So, how about switching gears to focus on the best beginnings?

by Pico I find that much of jazz is taking someone else’s tune and make it into something new. The trick is to do so without casting off the thing (or things) that made it such a great tune to cover to begin with. But who can take Joe Henderson’sRead More

by Pico A while back we looked at some of jazz’s most notable swan songs, a short, but certainly not complete list of the best last recordings of some jazz greats. So, what about some of the best beginnings? Here I will list five of what I’d consider some ofRead More

Some people think ‘Straight Life’ is the gem of Freddie Hubbard’s epic early-’70s run with the CTI label. I gotta go with ‘Red Clay.’