It’s tough to achieve stardom as a singer, harder still as a jazz singer, and especially as a male jazz singer. Which makes the rapid rise of Gregory Porter all the more remarkable. You May Also Like: Billy Porter, “For What It’s Worth” (2020): One Track Mind

In many ways, it’s all come together for Jamie Ousley on A Sea of Voices, issued January 10 on Tie Records. The Miami-based double bassist had already developed an affinity for performing jazz concerts in churches, a tradition Ousley was introduced to during a stint playing with Ira Sullivan. Then,Read More

A look at five jazz albums with grooves in the pocket – even if they weren’t much in the press.

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Wadada Leo Smith, who celebrated his 70th birthday just last month, is as productive as he’s ever been, and I’m getting nearly exhausted just keeping up covering all his new releases. You May Also Like: Wadada Leo Smith – Najwa (2017) Wadada Leo Smith and OrangeRead More

When I think of the the overlap of jazz and funk, ensembles that come to mind are Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, On The Corner-era Miles, and even some of the smoother offerings out of the CTI label. You May Also Like: Ross Hammond and Jon Bafus – Masonic Lawn (2017) DaveRead More

What with all of the bits of nasty weather, work deadlines, etc … a person can get just plain frazzled. So what’s needed on the drive to work is some romantic and swanky musings. Pink Martini definitely fits the bill. You May Also Like: No related posts.

An exploration of the more notable hidden surprises in jazz.

The surface comparisons were nearly impossible to ignore and, I have to admit, I immediately associated the Bad Plus to Medeski Martin and Wood. You May Also Like: No related posts.

OK, so I tried the Pandora Radio thing again. After the first tune from my Marc Ribot channel, an excellent live version of his really screwy take on Jimi Hendrix’ “The Wind Cries Mary,” we ended up at a tune from Bill Frisell You May Also Like: Bill Frisell –Read More

Daniel Bennett is a saxophone, clarinet and flute player in Manhattan, but he’s not like any jazz horn player out of NYC. And the reason for that is because what he plays is just as much not jazz as it is jazz. Blending in heaping helpings of folk and someRead More