Articles by Acacia Grace
Joseph Quiles Takes the Scenic Route on Sunset Cruisin
by Acacia Grace
"Sunset Cruisin'" is the kind of track that settles into a smooth groove and makes you want to stay there. Joseph Quiles delivers a vibrant blend of contemporary smooth jazz, soul, and funk, built around a mid-tempo pocket that feels effortless while still carrying plenty of energy. Lush piano textures bring warmth to the arrangement, while Quiles' bass provides the track's unmistakable pulse. The production is infectious without feeling overworked, giving the performance a relaxed confidence that immediately ...
Continue ReadingCélia Kameni at Parc Floral de Paris: A Siren, a Calming Voice, and a Journey Through Sound
by Acacia Grace
Célia Kameni Parc Floral de Paris Paris Jazz Festival August 29, 2026 On a rainy August afternoon, the gardens of the Parc Floral provided the perfect stage for a performance that moved effortlessly between genres. Located in the Bois de Vincennes in Paris' 12th arrondissement and near the Château de Vincennes, Parc Floral is a 31-hectare botanical garden inaugurated in 1969. Its summer music programming has long embraced the relationship between music and ...
Continue ReadingTim Larkin: Setting Standards
by Acacia Grace
Immerse yourself in the smooth, sophisticated sounds of contemporary jazz with Tim Larkin's Setting Standards. From the opening notes, Larkin establishes an effortless atmosphere, allowing his horns to take center stage without overpowering the arrangements. There is a relaxed confidence to his playing that makes the album particularly inviting: music that feels equally suited to attentive listening or simply setting the mood. One of the standout tracks of this album is Larkin's reimagining of “Through the Fire.“ Rather ...
Continue ReadingEstrella Acosta: Caminos: A Latin American Landscape
by Acacia Grace
Estrella Acosta's Caminos: A Latin American Landscape is an inviting introduction to contemporary Latin jazz, balancing the sophistication of jazz with the warmth and rhythmic energy of Latin American music. Acosta has a smooth yet commanding presence, and her vocals give the album a feeling of intimacy even when the music becomes lively and exuberant. Her work is rooted in the sounds of her native Cuba while drawing on a wider range of Latin American and Brazilian influences.
Continue ReadingLisa Marie Simmons: NoteSpeak (In a Word)
by Acacia Grace
Lisa Marie Simmons has a story to tell, and she tells it through melody, harmony, spoken word, lively woodwinds, jazz-inflected instrumentation, and a cast of special guests in NoteSpeak (In a Word). This is a unique vocal project, one that feels as much like a work of jazzy poetry and storytelling as it does a traditional album. And Simmons has a way with words throughout the entire project. For NoteSpeak (In a Word)there is a lot happening ...
Continue ReadingRonny Smith: Velvet Vibe
by Acacia Grace
On Velvet Vibe, guitarist Ronny Smith delivers exactly what the title promises: a warm, inviting collection of contemporary jazz that never loses sight of the genre's rich traditions. A seasoned player with an unmistakable sense of groove, Smith demonstrates throughout the album that technical proficiency means little without feeling, and on this recording, you will always feel the groove in the pocket. From the opening moments, Velvet Vibe establishes an easygoing atmosphere built on polished arrangements, tasteful improvisation, and ...
Continue ReadingEve Cornelious: Eve Again... Naturally
by Acacia Grace
After nearly a decade since her 2017 live recording, Eve Cornelious returns to the studio with Again... Naturally, an album that embraces the timeless traditions of straight-ahead jazz while showcasing the confidence and poise of a seasoned interpreter. Rather than chasing contemporary trends, Cornelious delivers an album rooted in classic jazz values--thoughtful storytelling, elegant phrasing, and a deep respect for lyrical interpretation. The album opens with “Big City," a grand and inviting introduction that immediately establishes the sophisticated character of ...
Continue ReadingSceaux Jazz Festival 2026: A Rising Voice Just Outside Paris
by Acacia Grace
Sceaux Jazz Festival Sceaux, France June 11-14, 2026 Just a short ride south of Paris, in the grand Cour d'Honneur of the Château de Sceaux, the Sceaux Jazz Festival has quietly become one of the more intriguing additions to France's summer jazz calendar. Founded in 2021 by Les Gémeaux during the cultural reopening that followed the pandemic, the festival was born from a simple desire: to reconnect artists and audiences through live music in an outdoor ...
Continue ReadingAlbum Showcase
Trending
Interview
Lou Marini: A Solo Career Starting At The Age Of 80
History of Jazz
John Coltrane in Detroit: A Brief History
Live Review
The Tension Is Where the Music Lives: Miles Davis at 100,...
Radio & Podcasts
Sullivan Fortner, Jim Rotondi & Dena DeRose, Ardeshir,...
Reanimating Conversations Past
Charlie Haden: Anatomy of a Jazz Classic
Radio & Podcasts
Miki Yamanaka, Stefon Harris, Paul Yonemura, Amber Weeks...
Profile
The Discreet Charm of Tete Montoliu
VOTE!
