Here’s the way it usually works. The end of the year draws closer, and all of the music publications and websites release their “best of” lists. This is almost always followed by various rants about how the lists are “too safe,” “predictable,” or “pretentious.” You May Also Like: Of AllRead More

The music of Raoul Bjorkenheim, Bill Laswell and Morgan Agren is just as interesting for what it does as what it doesn’t do

“Fusion jazz” has been harder and harder to classify lately, and that’s a positive development. It means that there’s more artists trying out unique new approaches, mashing together all kinds of music that having been done much or not at all You May Also Like: Brian Landrus – ‘For Now’Read More

The German-born, NYC-based, Berklee honors grad pianist Axel Schwintzer thrives on versatility, and the multi-national makeup of his band reflects that. You May Also Like: ‘Fanfare For the Uncommon Man: The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert’ (2021) Porterfield – ‘Rome’ (2021)

What better time of the year is there for a list like this? After all, discovering each one of these up-and-coming standouts was like finding a Christmas-morning surprise under the tree. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Like a Wayback Machine, certain sights, sounds, smells and tastes transports us to certain times and places in our lives. You May Also Like: Victor Assis Brasil – Toca Antonio Carlos Jobim (1970, 2017 reissue)

Little Worlds is another one of those oddly configured trios that’s been popping up lately in jazz, but there is nothing gimmicky sounding from this guitar (Ryan Mackstaller), trombone (Rick Parker) and drums (Tim Kuhl) getup. With all three of these musicians being veterans of rock, jazz and whack jazz,Read More

Sporting a drop dead gorgeous image and a six string violin that resembles a Gibson Flying V, Susan Aquila certainly looks the part, but is her fiddle playing up to snuff? Well, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Kanye West, Metallica and Billy Joel, just to name a few ofRead More

Ramsey Lewis discusses his signature hit “The ‘In’ Crowd,” and a breakthrough collaborative moment with Earth Wind and Fire.

The Le Boeuf Brothers, like many of the younger jazz musicians today, crave bashing up jazz of their formal training with the Bjork, Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens of their iPod playlists. And as I’ve come to realize, this often has great results. But these identical twins, Romy (reeds) and PascalRead More