Jazz News

Michael Jackson Died of Lethal Levels of Propofol

Source: Michael Ricci
August 24, 2009

L.A. County coroner's officials found lethal levels of the powerful anesthetic propofol after examining Michael Jackson's body, according to a search warrant affidavit unsealed today in Houston.

According to the search warrant, Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, told LAPD detectives that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. He had been giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night using an intravenous line, according to the court records.

But Murray told detectives that he feared Jackson was ...

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Luis Marin Live at the Nuyorican Cafe Re-Issued

Source: All About Jazz
August 24, 2009

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SF Jazz Announces Hotplate

Source: Marshall Lamm Promotions & Public Relations
August 24, 2009

Hotplate is a new concept from SFJAZZ that features a different Bay Area artist each month, interpreting the music of their favorite jazz legend.

Generously supported by The Wallace Foundation, the Hotplate program provides new performance opportunities for local jazz talent and is set to run continuously through 2011.

SFJAZZ kicks off the series with guitarist Terrence Brewer in tribute to Wes Montgomery on Thursday, September 10 at Amnesia, 853 Valencia Street, in the Mission District. Vinnie Esparza, voted “Best ...

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Joe Henry Gives His Own Tone to the Blues

Source: Michael Ricci
August 24, 2009

Joe Henry is tapped into the American past in unexpected ways. He lives in a roomy South Pasadena Craftsman designed for President Garfield's widow, and his preferred attire, a black suit and pointy boots, suggests that the 48-year-old singer and guitarist would have been at home playing in Elvis Presley's first band. “I typically come to things late," Henry said. “I was too busy with Leadbelly when the Clash happened." These days, the easygoing musician is venturing back to some ...

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Terence Blanchard Explores Democratic Themes Through Jazz

Source: Michael Ricci
August 24, 2009

It's no coincidence that Terence Blanchard's new album Choices arrives at a moment when the nation is in the midst of a roiling debate over how to reform the health-care system. That's not to say the trumpeter and film composer offers an opinion on whether we should adopt a “public option" for health insurance. But his latest release for Concord Music is very concerned with notions of national dialogue, and questions about how we make decisions as a people. At ...

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Harmolodic Guitarist Bern Nix Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
August 24, 2009

New York-based free jazz guitarist Bern Nix is one of the few people who are well-versed in Ornette Coleman's “harmolodics" style. He played with Coleman from 1975-1988, and now leads the Bern Nix Trio in New York City. In his compositions and his intriguing covers of standards, he is always looking in the corners of the music for something new.

AAJ Contributor Simon J. Harper spoke at length with Nix, about his early roots, the life-changing experience of working with ...

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Enter the Posi-Tone Records "David Binney/Alan Ferber - In the Paint" Giveaway Contest

Source: All About Jazz
August 23, 2009

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Posi-Tone Records “David Binney/Alan Ferber - In the Paint“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on September 20th. Click here to enter the contest

(Following David Binney at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Posi-Tone Records

About In the Paint Alto Sax sensation David Binney joins forces with Trombonist Alan Ferber on In ...

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Willie Nelson in Jazz Country

Source: Michael Ricci
August 23, 2009

The singer has surrounded himself with some of the genre's top musicians for his new album of pop standards, American Classic.

Willie Nelson's famous face is tanned and weathered. White whiskers increasingly dominate his two-day stubble, and streaks of gray color the waist-length braid trailing down his back. The country music legend is sitting on a bench seat inside a tour bus parked behind the bullpen at Diamond Stadium in Lake Elsinore, waiting to take the stage at this, one ...

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