Articles by Smooth / R&B

Interview

Enzo Favata: Coming Home to Atlantico

by Neri Pollastri
September 19, 2026

In Enzo Favata's long and multifaceted artistic journey, alongside his exploration and reinterpretation of the traditions of his native Sardinia, one project stands out: Atlantico, the group that for more than a decade, spanning the turn of the millennium, performed on stages across the world. It is with that same band, which resumed playing at the end of 2023 after a long hiatus, that Favata has released an album on the prestigious ECM Records label, with a deeply symbolic title: ...

Interview

Enzo Favata, Ritornare ad Atlantico

by Neri Pollastri
September 14, 2026

Nell'ormai lungo e articolato percorso artistico di Enzo Favata, accanto all'esplorazione e reinterpretazione della tradizione della sua terra d'origine, la Sardegna, spicca la formazione che per oltre un decina d'anni, a cavallo del cambio di millennio, ha suonato sui palchi di mezzo mondo: Atlantico. Proprio con quella formazione, che dopo una lunga pausa ha ripreso a suonare alla fine del 2023, Favata ha appena pubblicato un disco per la prestigiosa etichetta ECM, dal titolo fortemente simbolico: Ritornare. Il ...

Live Review

Take 6 at Miner Auditorium

by Steven Roby
August 19, 2026

Take 6 Miner Auditorium SFJAZZ Summer Sessions 2026, four-night residency, Aug. 13--16, 2026 San Francisco, CA August 16, 2026Four decades in, Take 6 still builds its sound on close listening, disciplined arranging, shared history, and a belief that melody outranks everything else. Across an afternoon masterclass, a conversation with founder Claude McKnight, and the closing night of a four-night SFJAZZ residency, the group laid out the blueprint. Then six voices showed how to make it ...

Radio & Podcasts

Spreading Love for 40 Years: Claude McKnight of Take 6

by Steven Roby
August 11, 2026

Host Steve Roby sits down with Claude McKnight, founding member of the legendary a cappella group Take 6. With 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, and a spot in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Take 6 has spent more than four decades redefining what the human voice can do. McKnight previews the group's forthcoming record, featuring collaborations with Snarky Puppy, Dirty Loops, drummer J.R. Robinson, and trumpeter Chris Botti, plus an inventive take on Dave Brubeck's “Take Five." Expect ...

In Pictures

Asbury Park Jazz Festival 2026

by Tanja Momcilovic
July 22, 2026

A collection of photos from the Asbury Jazz Festival in City of Asbury Park on June 28th, 2026 featuring Marel Hidalgo, Reza Khan, Bill Heller, Matt King, Mark Egan, Antoine Knight, Cliff Almond, Aron Heick, Nick Stefanacci, Dee Brown, Ragan Whiteside and Paula Atherton. After more a decade away Asbury Park Jazz Festival returns at Sunset Park. It was a privilege to witness the full day festival. ...

Radio & Podcasts

Bob Reynolds, Andy James, Harvie S. & Aubrey Johnson

by Joe Dimino
March 22, 2026

We launch the milestone 950th episode of Neon Jazz with a soaring start from the husband-and-wife duo The Wild Blue Herons, featuring Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper, and music from their heartfelt 2026 album It's All About Love. From there, the hour unfolds with powerful new sounds from seasoned jazz masters like Sam Yahel, Eyal Vilner, Bob Reynolds, Harvie S, and Homero Alvarez. We also shine a bright spotlight on rising momentum from artists making waves on the charts, including ...

Radio & Podcasts

The Getdown, Amy Gadiaga, FonvilleXFribush, Mario Canonge & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
February 3, 2026

Enjoy a playlist featuring some of the artists who traveled to New York to reshape the city's soundscape during the Winter JazzFest.Happy Listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Amy Gadiaga “Petite" All Black Everything (Jazz re:freshed) 0:16 Host talks 6:03 Corey Fonville, Sam Fribush, Morgan Burrs “I Couldn't Love You More" I Couldn't Love You More 8:54 The Getdown “Spirit of Five" The Getdown (Artwork) 16:18 Host talks 20:26 ...

Interview

Dave McMurray Hears Himself In All Of Detroit's Music

by John Chacona
January 19, 2026

Saxophonist and composer Dave McMurray has much of the celebrated history of Detroit music in his memory and under his fingers. Now 70, and with four acclaimed releases on the storied Blue Note label, he is arguably at the pinnacle of a long and remarkably varied career. All the strands of that career are gathered by Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, in which McMurray is a featured voice. In advance of the band's appearance in Cleveland, Ohio ...

In Pictures

Chris Botti Week at SFJAZZ

by Ronald Davis
January 13, 2026

A collection of photos from the Chris Botti concert at SFJAZZ in San Francisco on December 5, 2026 featuring Chris Botti, Chris Potter, Sy Smith, Mark Whitfield, Anastasiia Mazurok, Julian Pollack, Daniel Chmielinski, Lee Pearson, and John Splithoff. ...

Live Review

Baku Jazz Festival 2025: Part 2

by Ian Patterson
November 22, 2025

Part 1 | Part 2 Baku Jazz Festival Various Venues 20th edition, Days 5-8 Baku, Azerbaijan October 24-31, 2025 Driving around Baku the brightly colored dayglow signs advertising Baku Jazz Festival 2025 catch the eye at every turn. So do posters for COP 29, the international climate conference held in traffic-choked Baku in 2024. Baku nestles on the western edge of the Caspian Sea. The shoreline ...