Jazz News

Beantown Sings the Blues

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

By Timothy J. O'Keefe The Blues may have been spawned within the African-American communities of the Deep South in the late 19th century, but its influence still permeates our society today. While this music often acknowledges sadness, embraces loss, and speaks of impending dread, buried deep within its core you can sometimes find hope and resolve.

“The Blues is something people have always enjoyed listening to during challenging times," says Terri Lyne Carrington, artistic director of the BeanTown Jazz Festival. ...

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Frenette Trio/Platz Ensemble/Welcome Quartet - 9/25 @ The Outpost

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

Friday September 25, 2009 An Evening of Strange Guitar The Kevin Frenette Trio The Jeff Platz Ensemble The Chris Welcome Quartet OUTPOST 186 186 1/2 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA 02139 8:00 PM The Kevin Frenette Trio Kevin Frenette (guitar) James Rohr (piano) Eric Rosenthal (drums) Boston area guitarist Kevin Frenette has performed throughout the Northeast USA making music that is inspired by both avant-garde jazz and ...

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Randy Ingram Trio @ Smalls, Wednesday September 23rd

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

Randy Ingram Trio @ Smalls Jazz Club Wednesday, Sept. 23rd, 7:30pm (one set only) Randy Ingram, Piano, Matt Clohesy, Bass, Tommy Crane, Drums Smalls Jazz Club 183 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014 (212) 252-5091 or smallsjazzclub.com for info and directions How Much: $20 (includes one drink) “Randy Ingram is among the vanguard of young jazz pianists on the New York scene. He plays with finesse, thoughtfulness and passion." - Fred Hersch SInce moving to ...

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Jazzy a Graders

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

By Claude Wilson The jazz genre appears to lure and engage more musicians that are academics than any other genres, at least of popular music. Recently the United States (US) National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released survey results suggesting that jazz musicians are largely male, middle-aged and well-educated. “The study shows that jazz musicians tend to be male and well educated, with about 45 per cent holding a bachelor's degree or higher," says the NEA. And, likewise, many women ...

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Kesivan Naidoo Carries the Flame

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

By Daniel Hutchinson South African Young Artist Award Winner for Jazz in 2009 Kesivan Naidoo prefers to be called by his first name. It epitomizes his down-to-earth nature that he shies away from using his surname, and it also puts him in the same index as Miles and Mankunku. Whether or not he will reach the same recognition as these two great jazz artists remains to be seen, but as he says in relation to his artistic journey, “I'm not ...

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Fonseca: Mixing Smooth Jazz Vallenato

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

By Dee Dee McNeil Fonseca's blend of international influences still contains the element of improvisation, elements he displayed at a June 9th performance and discussion at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Many in the audience were struck by the emotional stirrings evoked by his songs.

Musically, some of Fonseca's music is much like smooth jazz, with intense repetitive rhythms and a strong backbeat. Beautiful melodies with “hummable" hooks float on top.

Born Juan Fernando Fonseca in Bogota, Colombia, 28 ...

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"What's Michelle Marie up To?" Her Dominican Fans Are Asking!

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

By Fernando Rodriguez In November of 2007 Michelle Marie played at the DR Jazz Festival in Cabarete on the north coast of the Dominican Republic and impressed all with her music, both her playing as well as her compositions. Her personality extends into her music, graceful and seemingly effortless playing of the guitar full of inventive melodic lines, that at the same time are intricate and challenging. Her compositions, full of melodic and harmonic gestures; from a vast palette of ...

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New Version of Iconic Rock Anthem "21st Century Schizoid Man"

Source: Michael Ricci
September 21, 2009

In conjunction with the upcoming 40th Anniversary of its original release (Oct 12, 1969) as a track on King Crimson's first album, entitled In the Court of the Crimson King, the iconic rock anthem “21st Century Schizoid Man" has been re-recorded and re-released by “The Human Experimente," a multi-faceted project based in Santa Monica, CA. “The Human Experimente" has been founded by Emmy Award winning musician/composer/executive producer Jeffrey Fayman, and also includes as guest artists original “King Crimson" guitarist and ...

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