Jazz News

Dr. David Demsey Interviewed on B.J. Jansen's Jazz Life Radio Show

Source: JM Creative
May 12, 2009

B.J. Jansen interviewed Dr. David Demsey, Head of the William Paterson University Jazz Studies Dept., on The Jazz Life radio show. The complete interview was broadcast on WPSC 88.7 FM, April 26th, 2009 during Jansen's exploration of Jazz at Willy P. Jansen created his show, “The Jazz Life," to bring audiences to the next generation of jazz artists who struggle to receive airplay in the United States. The programming format of “The ...

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Thousands of Kansas City Students Participate in Thelonious Monk Institute Programs May 18-22

Source: All About Jazz
May 12, 2009

Thousands of Kansas City Public School Students Participate in Peer-to-Peer Blues and Jazz Education Programs May 18- 22 Featuring Internationally Acclaimed Artists Bobby Watson and Lisa Henry Week-Long Series of Events Includes Concert Open to the Public At The Blue Room on May 21

Washington, D.C. – The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz will introduce its “Peer-to-Peer” blues and jazz education programs in Kansas City public schools May 18-22. Combining performance with information, these “informances” will be presented ...

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Internet Radio Station Devoted to Young Jazz Artists

Source: All About Jazz
May 12, 2009

AccuJazz Internet radio continues its weekly roll-out of new creatively programmed jazz channels today with the launch of “Emerging Voices," a streaming jazz channel playing exclusively jazz by young musicians. The channel is completely free to use and available 24 hours a day. While the AccuJazz programmers love and treasure the classic jazz recordings of yesterday's jazz greats, it would be a tragedy to turn a blind eye to all of the magnificent young talent making waves today. There are ...

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Blues Capitalist W. C. Handy

Source: Michael Ricci
May 11, 2009

If Beale Street could talk, it would say, Who the hell is the guy depicted in that big statue by the entrance to the park?

W. C. Handy, once so famous as the Father of the Blues that he was memorialized with a bronze monument in Memphis, is not nearly as well known today to people who are not either music scholars or copyright lawyers. It has been 35 years since James Baldwin paid tribute to Handy by employing a ...

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New ECM Group Cyminology Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 11, 2009

After forming in 2002, Berlin-based Cyminology has been exploring the rich musical territory bound by the backgrounds of members Cymin Samawatie, pianist Benedikt Jahnel, drummer Ketan Bhatti and bassist Ralf Schwarz. Holding the foursome's unique tapestry of styles together is Samawatie's vocal and compositional work, built around classical Persian poetry, as well as her own writing.

The band began forging its sound after Samawatie started exploring her Iranian musical heritage. Moved by the power of the Persian music and poetry, ...

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2009 Montreal Jazz Festival Line-Up

Source: All About Jazz
May 11, 2009

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Maryland's Capital Jazz Fest 2009

Source: All About Jazz
May 11, 2009

17th annual Capital Jazz Fest, featuring live contemporary jazz and soul music on two big stages. This year's Fest will be held June 5-7, 2009 at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Since its inception in 1993, the Capital Jazz Fest which guitarist Chuck Loeb once referred to as the “Woodstock of jazz festivals" has continually showcased the biggest names in contemporary jazz. Past performers on the Pavilion Jazz Stage include Herbie Hancock, Kenny G, The Jazzmasters, Kem, Grover Washington, Jr., Anita Baker, ...

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Beyond the Blues: The Harmonica in Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
May 11, 2009

Being relatively inexpensive, relatively easy to play and extremely portable, the harmonica has long been the perfect instrument for a nation on the move.

Its popularity has waxed and waned, and it's most often heard in blues music today. But every now and again, the harmonica crosses over to jazz.

Hear five great blues-harmonica players who have applied their skills and their instrument to jazz songs. The songs are chosen by Nick Morrison and Robin Lloyd from Jazz 24 as ...

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