It is appropriate that for our 60th issue and just before our five-year anniversary, we celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month. We appreciate jazz year round and we know that you do as well, but people love nostalgia and sentimentality and we here at AllAboutJazz-New York are no different.
In an interesting bit of confluence, our cover story is steeped in remembrance as we celebrate the giant musical figure that is Charles Mingus. His epic “Epitaph" will be performed this month as well as a host of other events, all celebrating his rich legacy and what would have been his 85th birthday. We also remember another giant in jazz, violinist Leroy Jenkins who passed away in late February at age 74, with a special In Memoriam section filled with testimonials from musicians who knew, worked with and loved him.
Nothing makes one appreciate jazz more than realizing and fting its diversity. To that end, our twin inside features spotlight two of the many facets of jazz guitar with Eugene Chadbourne (Interview) and Pierre Drge (Artist Feature). We also spotlight the creative music emanating from saxophonist Oliver Lake's Passin' Thru label and wish long success to the new ownership of a very special venue in the city that never sleeps, Smalls.
Earn frequent flier miles with reports from the Portland Jazz Festival and the Portrait Barry Guy in Zurich, Switzerland. Read about the impact that the venerable Essentially Ellington Competition had on one of New York's bright young players (Megaphone). Browse our many CD reviews and dry out a hi-liter on our extensive Event Calendar. You know...do in April what you would normally do year round.
When next month's issue comes out, we will feel extremely proud of the small role we play in the world of jazz, both here at home and internationally. We won't rest though, or change our mission. To the next five years!...
For more information contact All About Jazz.
