Last year Marquis Hill introduced himself on his debut album New Gospel as a trumpeter, composer and bandleader who can weave in all sorts of modern grooves that give no ground in defending the proud traditions of jazz. You May Also Like: Yellowjackets, Randy Waldman, Marquis Hill + others: FiveRead More

The year was 1985; the scene, Mr. Tantillo’s eighth-grade chorus class. On Fridays, students were allowed to bring in their own music so we could “experience” diverse tastes. You May Also Like: The Beatles, “Words of Love” from Beatles for Sale (1964): Deep Beatles

Mervyn “Harmonica” Hinds, a regular on the Chicago blues scene of decades, was once one of the best sidemen that nobody knew. That’s changed more recently, as Hinds has begun issuing albums under his own name in regular intervals. You May Also Like: Illinois Speed Press – ‘Illinois Speed Press’Read More

For many of the most familiar names in blues music, their careers began in the church: Stars like B.B. King, Etta James and James Brown debuted as youngsters performing gospel music. For Lurrie Bell, the journey went in reverse. You May Also Like: Pink Floyd, “Wearing the Inside Out” fromRead More

Chicago, Illinois was home to Quill Records, an independent label run by Peter Wright that released a string of singles between the years 1965 and 1967. You May Also Like: I Want, Need, Love You: Garage-Beat Nuggets From the Festival Vaults (2016)

As someone who is a member of the post-rock band Tortoise, the advanced modern jazz of Nicole Mitchell’s combo, a founding member of the Chicago Underground, the Scott Amendola Trio and until his death a couple of years ago, Fred Anderson’s band, I imagined the latest release by Jeff ParkerRead More

Before even learning that multi-reedist Avram Fefer is a Harvard grad, I could detect a lot of intelligence in his playing style. Avoiding clichés, adapting to the music and injecting just the right amount of feel, Fefer is one of the most diverse sax players around You May Also Like:Read More

Chicago, Illinois was the address of this enigmatic band that cut one album before dissolving into the depths of even further obscurity. Initially distributed by the Capitol label in 1969, Forever Is A Dream bleeds with ambition and adventure You May Also Like: Illinois Speed Press – ‘Illinois Speed Press’Read More

Listen to Joe Louis Walker, and you’ll hear the grimy city blues of Buddy Guy, the Rolling Stones’ junkie groove, the soaring echoes of Al Green’s church music, and Sly Stones’ urban soul. That’s the magic and the power of his work You May Also Like: Seth Walker – GottaRead More

When I first listened to Chicago-based jazz singer Abigail Riccards I had that strange and wonderful feeling of temporarily “forgetting who I was.” This is the kind of power that music can have You May Also Like: No related posts.