Jazz News

Curtis Stigers to Release New Album

Source: On Target Media Group
September 22, 2009

Next week, Concord Jazz will release Lost in Dreams, the new album from vocalist-saxophonist Curtis Stigers. Lost in Dreams combines Stigers' signature brand of jazz, soul, pop, and blues along with his take on classic and contemporary standards. A couple members of the Lost in Dreams supporting cast include longtime keyboardist Matthew Fries and drummer Keith Hall along with newcomer bassist Cliff Schmitt. With help from this tight unit, Stigers mixes his own material with a ...

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Metropolitan International Jazz Festival Set for October 10

Source: Michael Ricci
September 22, 2009

Third Annual International Jazz Festival, National Harbor, MD The third annual Metropolitan International Jazz Festival comes to National Harbor for a one-day jazz spectacular on October 10th. This years festival will feature an impressive line-up of acclaimed jazz artists at one of the best outdoor venues in the Washington-Baltimore region. Artist line-up: Spyro Gyra, The Marcus Johnson Project, Blackbyrds, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX, Art Sherrod, Jr., Eric Marner, Earl Carter and Jazz Boyz. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 2 p.m. ...

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Vibraphonist Stefon Harris Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
September 22, 2009

Authenticity is a special word for vibraphone wizard Stefon Harris when it comes to his art, which springs from the tradition of jazz music, but is approached through a modern lens that takes into account the sounds and perspective of 2009.

He has enough audacity--also a special word for Harris--to say it clearly, to elucidate what he is going for in his music. And he has enough audacity on the bandstand to go for it.

Harris recently released Urbanus, the ...

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Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Albums Collection Super-Deluxe Box Set

Source: Michael Ricci
September 22, 2009

THE COMPLETE MILES DAVIS COLUMBIA ALBUM COLLECTION is an historic release event. The super-deluxe box set contains 52 CD and double-CD albums--which includes the previously unreleased full-length audio version of Isle Of Wight performance from 1970--70 CDs in all. (Rarities and other previously unreleased material still exist in the vast Miles Davis archive, and they are delineated here.) The box set adds a bonus DVD, Miles Davis Quintet: Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams / Live In Europe ...

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Iconic Saxophonist Ornette Coleman Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
September 21, 2009

"Some people think of music as being on some higher level," Ornette Coleman says by phone from his apartment in New York City. “But basically it's the human being that receives the pleasure from sound. Not from the argument over what it is."

There are a lot of questions about Ornette Coleman and the music he makes. Talking with him, trying to parse these questions, can be a learning experience in many ways. Simply put, Coleman isn't like most other ...

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Charlie Harrington to Act as Judge for Drum off Competition

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

The award-winning jazz drummer, Charlie Harrington, has been asked to be a judge for the 2009 Guitar Center Drum Off Competition. Charlie's own experience as the winner of the Slingerland/Louie Bellson National Drum Contest (long before Guitar Center started the current Drum Off Competition) in addition to his well established teaching practice and professionalism no doubt contributed significantly to the invitation for him to be a judge for this competition. More information on the 2009 Guitar Center Drum Off Competition ...

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Twyla Tharp Takes Flight with Frank Sinatra

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

When Frank Sinatra fans play his music, classic songs like “Summer Wind," “Fly Me to the Moon" and “One for My Baby" will likely trigger strong emotions and memories. But when Twyla Tharp sifts through his catalog, it conjures up an entire world.

Who was she when she first heard these songs, compared with the woman she is today? Why do they remind her of so many couples she's known? And what is the essence of Ol' Blue ...

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New Orleans Jazz Haunts

Source: All About Jazz
September 21, 2009

There are many wonderful things about New Orleans, and her native music, jazz, is one of the best. Here we celebrate life and death with jazz. Whether it's a jazz brunch on Sunday, a jazz band in a street parade, or a jazz funeral on Friday, there's always jazz to be heard in New Orleans.

No trip to New Orleans would be complete without a visit to one of the great jazz clubs around town. Here are some of the ...

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