Articles by La-Faithia White
Billie Davies: Retrospectives (In The Key Of Jazz)
by La-Faithia White
Retrospectives (In The Key of Jazz) showcases a body of work by drummer Billie Davies that was created over a six year period. The musicians answered her call, recording albums and performing on her acoustic or hybrid drum set from 2012 to 2018. These pieces of music have never been released and are all improvisations that happened during rehearsals and/or performances in between or leading up to her album projects in Hollywood and New Orleans. “Hollywood Boulevard From ...
Continue ReadingShuffle Demons: Are You Really Real
by La-Faithia White
The Shuffle Demons are a Canadian jazz fusion band from Toronto. The band features a powerhouse ensemble of saxophonists Kelly Jefferson, Richard Underhill and Matt Lagan, anchored by the deep pocket of acoustic bassist Mike Downes and drummer Stich Wynston. The title track “X Marks The Spot" opens with an intriguing dialogue between bass and drums exploding into rapid-fire saxophone lines. Jefferson and Lagan exchange double-line runs, blending harmonies and layering multiphonics in a thrilling display of saxophone ...
Continue ReadingChad Eby: A Closer Look at His Life, Work, and Tribute to a Legend
by La-Faithia White
Saxophonist Chad Eby has been a vital presence in the North Carolina jazz scene. Since 2006, he has served as Associate Professor in the Miles Davis Jazz Studies program at the university of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he plays a key role in shaping the next generation of jazz musicians. In addition to his work as an educator, Eby continues to perform and record, often collaborating with top-tier talent across the region. In recent years, he has led Chad ...
Continue ReadingEnrique Thompson & Revirado Project: Song for Someone - Canción para Alguien
by La-Faithia White
Enrique Thompson is a saxophonist, composer and producer whose music bridges jazz, tango and global influences. His early exposure to classical music, Argentine folk traditions, Latin American sounds and artists like The Beatles and Joan Manuel Serrat shaped his eclectic musical identity. Born in the Argentine countryside, at 10 years old he began playing saxophone and, by 12, was immersed in classical training at the conservatory. At 14, he experienced his first jam session with professional musicians. In 2012, he ...
Continue ReadingFinn Wiest: Aurora
by La-Faithia White
Award-winning drummer Finn Wiest is a first-call sideman in the New York City Jazz scene. He has just finished his Master's degree at the City College of New York with Carl Allen, Steve Wilson and Mike Holobar. Born in Biberach An Der Riss, Germany, Wiest began playing drums at the age of four. He has performed and toured with renowned musicians such as Ray Gallon, Pablo Held, Florian Ross, and Tyreek McDole. As leader and ...
Continue ReadingBillie Davies: On Hollywood Boulevard - Live at The Mint in New Orleans
by La-Faithia White
The original recording of On Hollywood Boulevard took place in 2016. The inspiration comes from drummer Billie Davies personal experience of living at the historic Hillview Apartments on Hollywood Boulevard in 2009. Hillview Apartments, a hotspot during the silent film era, were considered Hollywood's first artist high-rise. Davies remembers witnessing it all, the tourist traps, the Hollywood legends and heroes' reverence, the young artist communities from painters to musicians to photographers, videographers and writers aspiring to become accomplished and successful. ...
Continue ReadingThe Musical Evolution of Billie Davies
by La-Faithia White
Drummer Billie Davies' journey began in the north of Europe in coastal Belgium where she was born and raised. Davies was involved with two bands while living in Holland, in Terneuzen, a semi coastal port town. One band scored a lot of gigs with festivals and parties versus the other, who only played a few times in Belgium, in Bruges and in Blankenberge. She moved to the south of France near the Spanish border in Catalan or Basque Country, an ...
Continue ReadingSpencer Zweifel: The Life or Death Situation
by La-Faithia White
Spencer Zweifel is an accomplished jazz pianist who graduated in 2019 with a degree in jazz studies from the University of Northern Colorado. He won best pop/rock soloist in the 2018 Downbeat magazine student awards. In 2021, Spencer completed a master's in jazz studies at William Paterson University, where he studied with Bill Charlap, Aaron Diehl and Geoffrey Keezer. In 2020 he formed the Spencer Zweifel Quintet, which has released two records, including Before It's Too Late (Self Produced, 2022). ...
Continue ReadingJohn Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival 2024
by La-Faithia White
A collection of photos from the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival in High Point, NC from Saturday, August 31st to Sunday, September 1st, 2024 featuring British band Incognito led by composer, producer, guitarist and singer Jean-Paul Maunick, pianist Jesus Molina and Grammy Award nominated blues singer and guitarist Samantha Fish, Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Bilal, and award-winning multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson. The festival is rain or shine and was dampened with heavy rains the entire weekend making ...
Continue ReadingCalvin Edwards: The Big Bopper Remembered
by La-Faithia White
Jazz guitarist Calvin Edwards, born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, spent most of his time in the state of South Carolina surrounded by his family. “My father, Hiawthia Edwards was a pretty famous gospel singer" explains Edwards. At seventeen years of age he started out professionally with his father while playing in his brother's band, The Jett Edwards band. The brothers recorded two albums together. Edwards was a member of the original Five Blind Boys of Alabama. “After seeing me ...
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