Jazz News

Canadian Afrobeat Band MR. Something Something on Tour

Source: Michael Ricci
September 17, 2009

Canada's Premiere Afrobeat Group Breaks Loose on October Tour

Since 2003, Mr. Something Something have been exploring new musical territory with their unique mix of pop, jazz and West African rhythms. On Shine Your Face, the band's fourth album, the Toronto-based collective of dancefloor activists look for new ways to fuse the modality and improvisations of jazz with danceable poly-rhythms, strong melodies and intelligent lyrics, all in order to make dancers think and thinkers dance.

The band's music has been ...

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Darren Rahn is the “Talk of the Town” with #1 Billboard Hit

Source: Cheryl Hughey Promotions
September 17, 2009

It’s the “Talk of the Town"…after producing a slew of #1 and top five hits as a producer, Darren Rahn achieves #1 on Billboard as a solo artist.

You may know Darren Rahn from his production work in #1 hits with radio favorites like Wayman Tisdale, Dave Koz, Eric Darius and Tim Bowman, along with other songs in the top three. However, it is time to crank up your radio dial and tune into Darren Rahn – the solo artist. ...

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Anticipated Charles Sullivan Album Re-Released by Inner City Records

Source: Michael Ricci
September 17, 2009

Inner City Records is proud to announce the re-release of Charles Sullivan's 1974 debut album Genesis. Sullivan, an under-appreciated veteran of the jazz scene, garnered widespread acclaim for this album upon its release, including a five-star review in DownBeat Magazine. Genesis features five original compositions by Sullivan, and includes players Sonny Fortune (alto sax), Dee Dee Bridgewater (vocals), Billy Hart (drums), Alex Blake (bass), and others. An historic album, long overdue for release on CD.

“Charles Sullivan deserves full honors ...

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A Microcosm of Cutting-Edge Music

Source: Michael Ricci
September 17, 2009

At a time when most longstanding jazz festivals are struggling, a relative newcomer, the New Languages Festival, is thriving. New Languages was founded by two saxophonists, Jackson Moore, 32 years old, and Aaron Ali Shaikh, 27. “We began with the intention of shining light on jazz musicians who were of the generation that grew up with the avant-garde as a past occurrence," Mr. Shaikh said in an interview last week. For these musicians, he said, the avant-garde of the '60s ...

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Recent All About Jazz Enhancements

Source: Michael Ricci
September 17, 2009

We're retooling All About Jazz with new features--we're also streamlining our interface. Here are the most recent changes to the website:

Listening Party / Album Stream

You can now stream our featured weekly album in its entirety from AAJ--just click the “Album Stream" link under “AUDIO & VIDEO" on the navigation bar or scroll down the right side of any AAJ page. More about the AAJ Listening Party.

News Center

News announcements are now grouped by news type. ...

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Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary Passes

Source: Michael Ricci
September 16, 2009

Mary Travers, one-third of the hugely popular 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died.

The band's publicist, Heather Lylis, says Travers died at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut today. She was 72 and had battled leukemia for several years.

Travers joined forces with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey in the early 1960s.

The trio mingled their music with liberal politics, both onstage and off. Their version of “If I Had a Hammer" became an anthem for racial equality. ...

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Poncho Sanchez to Release New Album

Source: On Target Media Group
September 16, 2009

On September 29th, Concord Picante will release Psychedelic Blues, the new album and twenty-fourth Concord Recording from Poncho Sanchez. On his new release, Sanchez goes back to his Latin jazz roots honoring the tradition of Sanchez’s earlier Concord recordings. The album opens with the simmering “Cantaloupe Island,” a Herbie Hancock composition recast in a Latin jazz groove. The title track is a fast-moving mambo, originally written by Sonny Henry and arranged here by Francisco Torres.

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NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton Celebrates 88th Birthday at le Poisson Rouge

Source: AMT Public Relations
September 16, 2009

87-year old jazz legend/band leader/percussionist Foreststorn Chico Hamilton celebrates the New York City debut of his latest album Twelve Tones of Love in a one-night only concert featuring his quintet Euphoria. Sunday, September 20th marks Chico's 88th birthday!

Described as being more creative and artistic than ever (Hot House Jazz), Chico is considered one of the most important living jazz artists and composers. To view video trailer and listen to Twelve Tones of Love tracks, visit the website. Line up ...

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