Jazz Articles
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Peter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective, Maria Kaushansky, Patrick Smith, Wayne Wilkinson
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, trombonist Peter Lin and the AAPI Jazz Collective; the Travis Jenkins Piano Trio; pianists Maria Kaushansky and Andrew Carroll; drummer Roy Brooks from 1963 and 1972; saxophonist Patrick Smith; and guitarists Louis Stewart (with pianist Jim Doherty), John Scofield (w/bassist Dave Holland), Charlie Byrd (featuring The Washington Guitar Quintet), and Wayne Wilkinson (leading a trio).Playlist Pharoah Sanders “Astral Traveling (Boozoo Bajou Remix)" from Cocktails (Universal Music) 5:49 Peter ...
Continue ReadingAdam Shulman: A Charlie Brown Christmas & Beyond
by Steven Roby
In this festive episode, Steve Roby chats with acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Adam Shulman, a key figure in the San Francisco jazz scene since 2002. Known for his work as a sideman with artists like Paula West, Stefon Harris, and Miguel Zenón, as well as for his own original albums, Adam shares insights into his musical journey and the timeless magic of Vince Guaraldi's “A Charlie Brown Christmas."Adam explains how his classical piano training at UC Santa ...
Continue ReadingIan Patterson's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
by Ian Patterson
The number of albums released year upon year seems to grow exponentially, with self-released albums increasingly the norm. Much of the most interesting and courageous modern jazz is released on small, independent labels where artistic value and not commercial potential is the principal driving force. The challenge for these free spirits is to get their music heard--not always an easy task in a flooded market and a competitive world. Still quality music will always find an appreciative audience. This list ...
Continue ReadingBrandon Sanders: Lasting Impression
by Pierre Giroux
Brandon Sanders' 2025 release, Lasting Impression, is a heartfelt reaffirmation of the core values that have shaped jazz drumming for generations. Instead of chasing novelty for its own sake, Sanders grounds the album in straightforward clarity that honours the legacy of those countless craftsmen who viewed swing as a personal responsibility. From the opening bars, he demonstrates he is a drummer dedicated to supporting the ensemble and allowing the music to breathe. The stellar band, assembled for this purpose, includes ...
Continue ReadingLaura Ann Singh: Mean Reds
by Hrayr Attarian
Vocalist Laura Ann Singh has an adventurous spirit and a unique style. Whether interpreting Brazilian music, standards, or modern classical compositions, Singh puts her indelible mark on everything she tackles. Her ambitious debut, Mean Reds, draws inspiration from vocalist Asha Puthl and saxophonist Ornette Coleman's 1970s collaboration. The eight elegant originals eloquently express a range of sentiments from anger to tenderness, from grief to whimsy. Thus, they showcase Singh's prowess as a versatile songwriter and performer.For instance, the ...
Continue ReadingVince Guaraldi’s Christmas Sauce: Adding Spice to Charlie Brown Vanilla
by Arthur R George
It's not simply that pianist Vince Guaraldi slipped jazz past the unsuspecting in composing A Charlie Brown Christmas, the evergreen “Peanuts" animation and soundtrack that has become inescapably part of the holiday. First broadcast in 1965, going on to six decades ago, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a tradition unto itself. It returns to television through PBS and PBS Kids on the evening of Sunday, December 19. Some who can't wait, or want to watch and listen again and again, ...
Continue ReadingRoland Kirk, Drew Williams, Laura Anglade, Sullivan Fortner & Ben Rosenblum
by Joe Dimino
We kick off the 937th Hour of Neon Jazz with a special moment in time--spotlighting a handful of New York City musicians who rolled through Kansas City for a live gig on December 2, 2025 at Epicycle Piano Craft. At the top of the hour, we feature the endlessly inventive pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum, drawing from his 2017 album Instead. From there, we shift into the warm, expressive voice of rising jazz vocal star Laura Anglade, spinning music from ...
Continue ReadingMichael Mayo: A Voice Taking Flight
by Steven Roby
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with vocalist and composer Michael Mayo to discuss his whirlwind year. Fresh off two Grammy nominations--Best Jazz Vocal Album for Fly and Best Jazz Performance for “Four"--Michael opens up about the surreal moment he got the news in Paris. We dive into his viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert, his philosophy on using looper pedals versus acoustic arrangements, and his deep musical lineage.Playlist Michael Mayo “Four" from ...
Continue ReadingLouis Stewart & Brian Dunning: Alone Together
by Ian Patterson
Re-releases and archival recordings are so abundant these days that it is easy to take for granted the work involved in dusting down and polishing up old recordings. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Dermot Rogers--the man at the helm of the revived Livia Records--Irish guitarist Louis Stewart's discography is being lovingly restored and reissued. Hats off also to Seán Mac Erlaine, whose mixing and mastering for Livia has bestowed pristine sound on half a dozen Stewart releases since 2022. ...
Continue ReadingHave A Holly, Jazzy Christmas
by Kurt Ellenberger
In my music history classes, particularly in November and December, students have often asked me about the relationship between jazz and Christmas: “Why are so many popular Christmas songs so jazzy?" It is a good question--indeed, many of the most popular secular Christmas music does have a jazz flavor, while a few are actually jazz. There is a direct connection between jazz and Christmas music, but to see what that connection is, we will first look at the history of ...
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