Jazz News

Simon & Garfunkel to Star at First Weekend of New Orleans Jazz Fest

Source: Michael Ricci
January 13, 2010

April 24 Performance To Be the Only 2010 U.S. Appearance by Legendary Duo New Orleans, LA--"We are proud to announce that American music icons Simon & Garfunkel will be making their first-ever appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell," event organizers said today. The Saturday, April 24 performance by Simon & Garfunkel at Jazz Fest will be the only chance to see the legendary duo in the U.S. this year. The Festival is scheduled for ...

Continue Reading

Two Nights, 11 Bands at the NYC Winter Jazzfest (Part 1: Friday)

Source: Lubricity
January 13, 2010

New York City's only jazz festival has come and gone, and I was there.  So were a LOT of other people.  My one-word impression: wow.

For a comprehensive and well-written account of the two-night jazz extravaganza, check out Ben Ratliff's review for the New York Times.  Nate Chinen, Ben Allison, Jacob Teichroew and Hank Shteamer also have some spot-on reflections.

The general theme of those reviews is that the festival was a huge success, attracting not only brilliant music but ...

Continue Reading

Tubaist/Noted Physician Eli Newberger Profiled at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
January 13, 2010

Such is the nature of jazz tuba that few prominent players are household names outside their genre. Can you name “the Art Tatum of the tuba" or a “the Clifford Brown of the tuba"? Many of these instrumental performers are part-timers. Only, don't tell Eli Newberger that jazz is his secondary field: it ranks solidly in a two-way tie with his role as physician, lecturer and consultant in pediatric matters.

AAJ Contributor Edward Bride spoke with Newberger and his wife, ...

Continue Reading

Essra Mohawk's Bizarre, Reprise and Asylum Albums Reissued on Collectors' Choice Music

Source: conqueroo
January 12, 2010

Her first three albums were pivotal in the American singer-songwriter movement. The classic Primordial Lovers has fondly been christened the Mother Album of “grrrl power."

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --Sandy Hurvitz's transformation into Essra Mohawk happened as a result of undeniable singing and songwriting talent plus a series of happy accidents. The young Philadelphian issued a Liberty single (at age 16) that was deemed a “Newcomer Pick" in Cashbox; she then contributed songs to artists as disparate as the Shangri-Las and ...

Continue Reading

February 2010 Jazz Standard Lineup

Source: AMT Public Relations
January 12, 2010

JAZZ STANDARD Grooves On In February with Several of Jazz's Rising Stars, Veterans, and New Music Ensembles Best Jazz Venue 2009 (All About Jazz)

New York, NY -- JAZZ STANDARD, one of the nation's premier jazz clubs, presents another month of great jazz in February. On February 2-3, we present the exciting group Afinidad led by pianist Edward Simon and saxophonist David Binney along with some very special guests. Grammy Award winner David Sanchez leads his group February ...

Continue Reading

Lawson Rollins to Release His "Espirito" on January 19

Source: Press Junkie PR
January 12, 2010

LAWSON ROLLINS PRESENTS HIS WORLD/JAZZ RELEASE ESPIRITO ON INFINITA RECORDS (JANUARY 19, 2010)

Espirito Features the Talents of World Music Stars Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Kayhan Kalhor, Charlie Bisharat, Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez, and Shahin Shahida

When guitarist Lawson Rollins appeared on the world music scene, he astonished listeners with his electrifying speed and expansive musical vision. His impossible-to-categorize sound combined the passionate rhythms of salsa and samba, the free flowing improvisations of Latin jazz, the deep bass tones of ...

Continue Reading

Putumayo Presents "Rhythm & Blues" -- Out February 9th

Source: Michael Ricci
January 12, 2010

Features tracks from The Emotions, Irma Thomas, Sam Moore, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, James Hunter and The Quantic Soul Orchestra

Putumayo's newest release, Rhythm & Blues, features first generation soul legends and rising stars of the retro R&B revival. Scheduled for release on February 9th, it's the labels first album exclusively dedicated to the genre. The 60s and 70s rhythm and blues of The Four Tops, Sam Cooke and The Supremes, among others, became a global phenomenon and ...

Continue Reading

Avatar Soundtrack Ushers in Return of New Age Music!

Source: Michael Ricci
January 12, 2010

It used to be the stuff of the '60s and '70s. A magical mystery tour express, where rock stars and alternate religion advocates converged on the same track New Age Music. Free flowing, free form melodies inspiring introspection and what was called Universal Awareness. If you thought this trend went underground, you'd be right. But underground didn't mean gone. The original proponents merely entered conventional society: Cutting their hair, getting jobs, marrying and starting families. But throughout it all, their ...

Continue Reading