Jazz Articles

Our daily articles are carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. You can find more articles by searching our website, see what's trending on our popular articles page or read articles ahead of their published dates on our Coming Soon page. Read our daily album reviews.

Album Review

Tu-Ner: Rendezvous Rodeo

Read "Rendezvous Rodeo" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara
July 28, 2026

There is nothing Western-sounding about this rodeo--very far from it--but it does feel like a sort of rendezvous by virtue of returning to somewhat familiar territory. Granted, “familiar" also means wildly bizarre and occasionally terrifying, but anyone who knows these names should expect nothing less. Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn are best known as a beastly rhythm section in the King Crimsons of the '90s and early '00s, while touch guitarist Markus Reuter has plenty of the same musical DNA ...

Album Review

Cícero Lee: light / beyond

Read "light / beyond" reviewed by La-Faithia White

by La-Faithia White
July 28, 2026

Cicero Lee is a double bassist, composer and producer, with over two decades of a career in the Portuguese and international music scenes. His work unfolds between original works and collaborations in diverse contexts, bridging jazz with other musical languages. “Amazonia" opens with an orchestral drumroll before unfolding into a processional-style ballad. Ricardo Toscano's saxophone guides the melody with quiet authority while the rhythm section provides a steady and supportive foundation. On “Beyond Light," Toscano establishes a graceful, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Freyja Garbett, Little North, Lakecia Bejamin, The Vampires & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
July 28, 2026

The 129th episode presents the second part of the June 2026 premiere survey, once again structured into six thematic sets. The programme journeys from percussion-driven ritual and free improvisation through melody-centred chamber jazz, psychedelic grooves and rhythm-based explorations, to spiritually charged playing and acoustic small groups deeply rooted in tradition--closing with an evocative archival epilogue that reaches behind the Iron Curtain of the 1960s and 1970s. Geographically wide-ranging, the lineup features artists from the United States, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, South ...

Radio & Podcasts

Happy 87th Charles McPherson! Other birthdays recognized include Al Di Meola and Ada Rovatti. Classic jazz from Freddie Hubbard, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and more

by David W. Daniels
July 28, 2026

In addition to three jazz compositions featuring the alto saxophone of Charles McPherson and other musicians named in the show title, this week's Exploration program includes classic jazz from Carmen McRae, Gene Ammons, Clark Terry, and others. New music is featured from Gregory Hutchinson, Joey Alexander, Jalen Baker, and others. In addition to Mr. McPherson's birthday this week, we recognize birthdays for the guitar triumvirate of Al Di Meola, Carlos Santana, and the late Phil Upchurch--also other birthdays.

Reanimating Conversations Past

And His Name Was Max

by John Ephland
July 27, 2026

This interview was conducted during the Chicago Jazz Festival on August 31, 1990. A favorite topic: musicians who dedicate their artistic lives to the spirit of collaborations. When I was writing about Max Roach in the late 1980s, I was astounded by how many projects he seemed to be simultaneously engaged in. A giant among giants when bebop was on the march during the 1940s, Max would go on to perform with all manner of musician through the ...

Live Review

Leon Buckley Quartet At Scott's Jazz Club

by Ian Patterson
July 27, 2026

Leon Buckley QuartetScott's Jazz Club Jazz Futures Belfast, N. Ireland July 24, 2026 There is nothing like a good typo to induce the titters. Hats off to the Belfast gig guide who listed this one as the 'Leon Bucket Quarter.' It could have been worse. In a 1631 reprint of the King James Bible, the printers made a hash of the Seventh Commandment: “Thou shalt commit adultery," it intoned righteously. Many, no doubt, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Mike Close is good with his hands: Magician and Musician!

by Mike Jones
July 27, 2026

Jonesy and Michael Close explore the intertwined worlds of music and magic, delving into Michael's early influences, his journey into both fields, and the challenges he faced as a performer in Las Vegas. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the evolution of live music in Vegas, and the realities of pursuing a career in the arts. In their conversation, Jonesy and Michael Close delve into the intricacies of cocktail piano performances, the challenges of solo gigs, and the ...

Radio & Podcasts

Joe Morris, Barry Guy/Roberto Ottaviano & Bill Connors

by Maurice Hogue
July 27, 2026

Bassist/guitarist Joe Morris was recently honored at the annual Vision Festival for his lifetime contributions, and if anyone has any doubts about that, just listen to his new album Counter Spectacle out on the FSR label. With reed players Rob Brown & Anna Webber & drummer Matthew Rousseau, Morris lets freedom reign. This is a true keeper! It's one of a number of wonderful new releases from FSR featured in this episode--the sublime yet daring first-time match-up of master bassist ...

Radio & Podcasts

Joey Alexander, Terri Lyne Carrington, Leigh Pilzer, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Claudia Acuna, Anna Pauline Andersson & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
July 27, 2026

This broadcast includes new music from Anna Pauline Andersson, Joey Alexander, Terri Lyne Carrington, Leigh Pilzer, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Claudia Acuna, plus birthday shoutouts to Mary Osborne, Dorothy Fields, Phoebe Snow, Betty Davis, Julia Hulsmann, Nicole Glover, Akua Dixon, Lauren Sevian, Carmen Bradford, Lauren Lee and Honorable Man Ruben Blades, among others. Happy listening and please support the artists you hear--see them live, buy their music so they can continue to comfort, distract, provoke and remind the world that A Woman's ...

Album Review

Frank Swart: This Is The One! (Raison D'êTre)

Read "This Is The One! (Raison D'êTre)" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
July 27, 2026

There is a common misconception that musical artists who release albums usually tour to promote them. While this may be true for the most part, there are exceptions. San Francisco-based bassist and composer Frank Swart is quick to point out that artists such as The Beatles were more focused on spending time in the studio creating albums than taking the show on the road. Swart's project Funkwrench Blues uses the studio to full effect, and this is evident on This Is The ...