Interview News

Notes from the Net: Miles Biopic Moves Ahead, Oliver Lake's Solo Set, Plus News, Reviews, Interviews, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
January 12, 2011

Here's the latest compilation of assorted news briefs and links related to jazz, improvisation, and creative music in St. Louis, including news of musicians originally from the Gateway City, recent visitors, and coming attractions, plus assorted other items of interest:

In recent Miles Davis-related news, Miles Davis Online looks at what's ahead for the trumpeter's legacy in 2011, and the proposed feature film biography of Davis now has a script and appears to be moving closer to reality. Meanwhile, Miles' ...

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Walter Smith III: Redefining a New Era in Jazz

Source: Jazz In Perspective
January 12, 2011

The rich airy transparent sound is what identifies rising modern tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III. His music explores the many different avenues in jazz and introduces a new melodic perspective. When he plays, his creativity is made apparent through his ability to incorporate new musical ideas and undercover a unique relationship between harmonic and rhythmic composition. The development of his ideas can only be described as a journey that never ceases to lose momentum. Growing up, Walter Smith III started ...

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"Man'ish Boy" Saxophonist Darius Jones Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: John Kelman
January 11, 2011

Alto saxophonist Darius Jones—who won most critics' nomination for the best jazz newcomer album of 2009 for Man'ish Boy (A Raw And Beautiful Thing) (AUM Fidelity, 2009)—is a great fan of Johnny Hodges. He says that the lyrical Duke Ellington altoist is his hero, and this is pleasantly noticeable at the beginning of Man'ish Boy. It is also a good thing; not only did Hodges possess one of the most beautiful sounds in music, but Jones' focus on Hodges-like bends ...

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Introducing Roxy Coss - Going for Adds January 10, 2010

Source: Kari-On Productions
January 10, 2011

INTRODUCING ROXY COSS WE ARE GOING FOR ADDS AT RADIO STARTING JANUARY 10, 2010 New York City based musician and composer Roxy Coss is making a name for herself as a versatile, original voice within the vibrant and thriving jazz scene today. All About Jazz is saying, “Coss is head and shoulders above many of the gifted, well-schooled young people who are trying to get a toehold in the intensely competitive NYC jazz and improvised music scenes. Her multiple talents ...

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New NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman Week Begins at All About Jazz with Extensive Interview and More!

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
January 10, 2011

A few months shy of 65, saxophonist Dave Liebman may be having the busiest time of his career, now in its fifth decade. In the past 12 months, nearly a dozen releases have demonstrated the tremendous stylistic breadth of a musical oeuvre that kicked into high gear in the early 1970s. On January 11, 2011, Liebman is being awarded the 2011 Jazz Masters Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and it's a milestone for both the saxophonist ...

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Interview | Mike Pride

Source: Ars Nova Workshop
January 9, 2011

Mike Pride’s From Bacteria To Boys has undergone several personnel changes since its formation in 2005. Perpetually evolving in order to realize the development of Pride’s sonic vision, the current quartet version features Peter Bitenc, Darius Jones and Alexis Marcelo, and their Aum Fidelity debut, Betweenwhile, earned a spot on several 2010 year-end lists. In preparation for the upcoming Philadelphia debut of the fresh quartet, Ars Nova Workshop spoke with Pride about the new album, R. Kelly, Reese Witherspoon, and ...

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Billy Taylor's Legacy

Source: AAJ Staff
January 8, 2011

To the Editor: Re “Billy Taylor, Jazz Pianist, Dies at 89" (obituary, Dec. 30): The arts world has lost a great friend in Billy Taylor, not just as a brilliant jazz pianist—which he was—but also as an educator, policy adviser and ardent spokesman for the arts. Some 30 years ago I had the privilege of working with him as we sought to advance the arts and arts education in our nation. He was fervent, gentle, thoughtful and highly effective, whether ...

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Interview: Junior Mance (Part 3)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 8, 2011

Pianist Junior Mance has a lot of church in his playing. But it's not purely the church of stomping gospel or frenzied revivals. Rather, Junior's playing channels both urban gospel and rural spirituals and hymns. What interesting about his quiet soul is that it garners both a physical reaction in listeners as well as self-reflection. Junior's more sensitive funk was honed under the tutelage of singers and soloists. Ever since, Junior's goal has been never to eclipse but to enhance ...

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