In our brief but illustrious history, we have had only three issues where our trio of major articles featured the same instrument. April 2004 and January 2005 were saxophones and September 2005 was the drums. For our March edition, though we don't plan these things this way, we present the piano. On The Cover we have that most eminent of composers Andrew Hill, appearing this month at Birdland in support of his new album and return to Blue Note Records. Festival producer George Wein (Interview) started his jazz life as a piano player and he revisits that time with a rare appearance this month at Feinstein's. From Europe, we have an exponent of the unique amalgam that is Scandinavian jazz in Swede Bobo Stenson (Artist Feature), also appearing at Birdland. And if that were not enough to satiate you keyboard lovers, our Encore is the legendary ragtime proponent Johnny Maddox.
Of course, it cannot be all piano all the time, so check our supplementary features. Ictus Records (Label Spotlight) had been at the forefront of new improvised music in the '70s until financial problems forced its closure. Now it has risen from the ashes with a 12-CD retrospective box set in tow; Issue Project Room (Club Profile) is a wonderful space in Brooklyn presenting innovative artists in a unique setting - an amazing cylindrical performance space with a specially designed sound system that blurs the boundaries between artist and audience. And our Special Feature on Cobi Narita celebrates the recently turned octogenarian's long-time contributions to this music as founder of Women in Jazz and purveyor of fine musical fare at her own Cobi's Place in Times Square.
As usual, we are swimming in CD reviews, concert reviews and performances to go see. Two special events happening in March and not to be missed are Birdland's Top Italian Jazz, featuring some of that country's greatest players mixing it up with some of the greats of this country and the annual treat that is the Lester Young Tribute “To Pres with Love", with a bevy of musicians paying homage at Saint Peter's Church.
We'll see you there...
For more information contact All About Jazz.
