Performance / Tour News

Craig Taborn Holding Jazz Electronica to a Higher Standard

Source: Michael Ricci
January 16, 2009

The commingling of jazz and electronic music has produced a lot of mutant offspring in recent years, much of it marred by a lack of balance or focus.

Craig Taborn, a keyboardist of exploratory temperament, is one of a handful of American musicians bringing steady refinement to the field. Five years ago he released Junk Magic (Thirsty Ear), a smart effort at cross-pollination that now sounds only slightly dated. Since then, working mainly as a featured sideman, he has upgraded ...

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Richard Bliwas Performs at Googie's Lounge (Upstairs from the Living Room)

Source: All About Jazz
January 16, 2009

Please come to The Living Room/Googie's Lounge located at 154 Ludlow Street New York , NY, 10002 January 26h at 7pm for a one hour set of innovative beautiful music.

The pianist ---now finishing up artwork for his soon to be released 6th CD for Rising Rose Records --- has been compared to Brian Wilson, Miles Davis, Patricia Barber, The Beatles, Van Dyke Parks, Mose Allison, and Sun Ra-- but as All About Jazz said in its review of Rising ...

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The Big Wu | 12.31.08 | Minnesota

Source: JamBase
January 16, 2009

Words by: Ross Blanshan | Images by: Deb Amadeck

The Big Wu :: 12.31.08 :: Trocaderos :: Minneapolis, MN

The Big Wu :: 12.31 :: Minneapolis New Year's Eve is always a good night for a party, but Wu Year's Eve is a night to party for a good cause. In years past, The Big Wu has hosted NYE events with food and clothing drives for various local charities, and this year was just as special. Vega Productions collaborated ...

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Toubab Krewe: Crossing Divides

Source: JamBase
January 16, 2009

By: Dennis Cook

Toubab Krewe by Lukas Blalock Where do musical ideas come from? In the 21st century, the fluidity of information and recordings is like mercury on a mirror. Borders and neat definitions mean less and less with every year, yet few bands engage this newfound freedom in a way that does more than graft one tradition onto another like some ugly, ill-fitting accessory that doesn't jive with the main outfit. The trick - ...

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Jazz This Week: Tatsuya Nakatani, Lamar Harris, Cornet Chop Suey, "Cool Nights, Hot Jazz," and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
January 16, 2009

It's a chilly week in St. Louis, but if you're willing to brave the freezing temperatures, there's a diverse selection of jazz and creative music worth checking out. Let's go to the highlights in chronological order: On Friday, trombonist and “low brass specialist" Lamar Harris brings his mix of jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop to Jazz at the Bistro for a two-night stand.That same evening, an event called Cool Nights, Hot Jazz will feature student musicians ...

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A Violinist in the Metro

Source: All About Jazz
January 15, 2009

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped ...

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John Legend at the Gibson Amphitheatre

Source: Michael Ricci
January 15, 2009

“John Legend is suave and smooth," read a text message crawling across the jumbo screen before the 13-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter's performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre on Tuesday.

Indeed, with songs so silken and seamless as to be soporific, the 30-year-old R&B balladeer has emerged as the preeminent practitioner of vanilla latte soul for the sport coat-and-cravat crowd, a Brian McKnight for Generation Y.

To his credit, Legend affects a winsome affability on-stage and knows his role, winking at the audience, ...

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Ryan Montbleau Band | 12.20 | Boston

Source: JamBase
January 15, 2009

Words by: Jillian Horn | Images by: Carl Daniel

Ryan Montbleau Band :: 12.20.08 :: Paradise Rock Club :: Boston, MA

Ryan Montbleau Band :: 12.20 :: Boston Fresh off a successful solo gig opening for Martin Sexton, Ryan Montbleau reunited with his band for two hometown performances at the Paradise Rock Club. The Boston-based band rocked the packed house for back-to-back nights filled with their amicable sound. It was evident that the hiatus ...

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