Articles by C. Andrew Hovan
46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest
by C. Andrew Hovan
46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest Playhouse Square Cleveland, OH June 26-28, 2025 Jazz festivals occupy a precarious space these days. Pressured by financial constraints, too many have drifted toward booking artists with only a passing connection to the jazz tradition. Cuts to both public and private funding have only compounded the difficulty of producing large-scale music festivals. This year's Tri-C JazzFest wasn't immune to those realities. Several of its outdoor performances veered into genres ...
Continue ReadingLee Morgan: Here's Lee Morgan
by C. Andrew Hovan
While Craft Recordings' new OJC reissue series has largely drawn from its treasure trove of Prestige and Riverside titles, the label recently expanded its scope to include two standout jazz albums from Chicago's historic Vee-Jay Records. Founded in 1953 by husband-and-wife team James Bracken and Vivian Carter, Vee-Jay was not only one of the earliest Black-owned and woman-owned labels but also a remarkably eclectic imprint. Known for its blues releases--and even some early Beatles records--Vee-Jay also documented top-tier ...
Continue ReadingOJC Piano Greatness: Thelonious Monk & Bill Evans
by C. Andrew Hovan
Having been a source of quality reissues back when vinyl was still king, it is fitting that the Original Jazz Classics series has returned now that the vinyl renaissance continues to carry on full-force among the music-buying public. Now in its second full year of releases, Craft Recordings continues to mine its impressive back catalog for reissues that cover a good deal of ground while offering quality and value to boot. Thelonious Monk Thelonious Himself
Continue ReadingOJC Odds & Ends: From Cal Tjader to Mal Waldron
by C. Andrew Hovan
Once the vinyl renaissance confirmed that record labels could bring in a steady income just by tapping their holdings, they began combing their archives to fuel a steady stream of reissues. With a catalog of more than 1.2 million songs, Concord Records was uniquely positioned to capitalize on this resurgence. Its Craft Recordings subsidiary has emerged as a standout in the field, not only for curating meaningful and historically significant releases, but also for doing so with a consistent commitment ...
Continue ReadingKurt Elling and Peter Erskine at the Michigan Theater
by C. Andrew Hovan
Kurt Elling Celebrates Weather Report featuring Peter Erskine Michigan Theater 49th Performance of the 146th UMS Season Ann Arbor, Michigan April 11, 2025 With two Grammy Awards to his name and a long list of press accolades--including holding the top spot in the DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls for over a decade--vocalist Kurt Elling could easily rest on his laurels. But instead, he continues to push creative boundaries, embarking on projects that many would ...
Continue ReadingAltin Sencalar: Unleashed
by C. Andrew Hovan
Often overshadowed by other solo instruments, the trombone boasts a rich history in jazz--one so vast it could fill volumes. New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, also gave rise to Kid Ory, a pioneer of the “tailgate" style of trombone playing. In the early 1900s, bandleaders often promoted their shows by parading through town on horse-drawn wagons. Trombonists, needing space to extend their instrument's slide, would sit at the back on the open tailgate, projecting their bold, brassy sound into ...
Continue ReadingJim Snidero at the Bop Stop
by C. Andrew Hovan
A collection of photos from the Jim Snidero concert at The Bop Stop in Cleveland on March 7, 2025 featuring Jim Snidero, Peter Washington and Jason Tiemann. ...
Continue ReadingPeter Erskine: Revisiting Weather Report
by C. Andrew Hovan
A standout drum prodigy of his generation, Peter Erskine began playing at the age of four. After honing his skills at Interlochen, he launched his professional career in 1972 with Stan Kenton. Four years later, he joined Maynard Ferguson before making a pivotal move, replacing Alex Acuña in Weather Report. In the spring of 2025, acclaimed vocalist Kurt Elling embarks on a new project celebrating the music of Weather Report. As the tour nears its end, Erskine ...
Continue ReadingNate Smith at The Cleveland Museum of Art
by C. Andrew Hovan
Nate Smith Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, Ohio February 19, 2025 When it comes to drummers who can seamlessly traverse multiple genres, Nate Smith stands in a league of his own. Effortlessly shifting from hard-swinging jazz to the tightest hip-hop grooves, he makes it all look easy. His musical journey accelerated at 16 when he discovered Art Blakey's Album of the Year (Timeless, 1981), a revelation that set him on a path of deep study. ...
Continue ReadingOne For All: Big George
by C. Andrew Hovan
The world has changed dramatically since the end of the 20th century, the time period when the jazz collective One For All began to forge their stamp on the history of hard bop. Using the club Augie's on New York's upper west side as their stomping grounds, the group would make their debut recording at the beginning of 1987. The Broadway club would eventually become home of Smoke, one of the gems of the city's jazz scene and continued purveyor ...
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