Jazz News

Xavier Casellas NY Quintet @ Tea Lounge in Park Slope

Source: All About Jazz
March 17, 2009

Second of the gigs prior to recording sessions for upcoming album.

XAVIER CASELLAS NY QUINTET Xavier Casellas, vocals & lyrics Emilio Solla, piano & arrangements Ben Monder, guitar Jorge Roeder, double bass Ted Poor, drums

New material to be recorded right after gigs at Bennett's. Music includes great stuff from artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brad Mehldau, Emilio Solla and more, on a new vocal approach with original lyrics by ...

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Mikayla's Totally Jazzed Profiles Bassist Russel Blake

Source: All About Jazz
March 17, 2009

Nearly everyone would agree that music is one of the most significant and enduring art forms ever created by mankind, though most people still view it primarily as entertainment. An astute few seem capable of looking beyond music's obvious entertainment value, and among these is bassist Russel Blake. He views music as both a tool for healing the spirit, and as a means of removing the cultural barriers which divide us, by serving as mankind's universal language. Blake strives to ...

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Hollywood Bowl Announces Schedule; Changes up Jazz Leadership

Source: Michael Ricci
March 16, 2009

After being first reported last month on our sister blog Culture Monster, the Hollywood Bowl has now dotted the I's and crossed the T's on its 2009 season, which was officially announced this morning.

In addition to highlighting previously unannounced shows with the Beastie Boys (Sept. 24) and John Fogerty as part of the Bowl's annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, Herbie Hancock was announced as the L.A. Philharmonic Assn.'s new creative chair for jazz, succeeding bassist Christian McBride.

The announcement ...

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Branford Marsalis Quartet Metamorphosen

Source: Michael Ricci
March 16, 2009

Metamorphosen (Marsalis Music/Decca)

The Branford Marsalis Quartet has been together in its current form for a decade, long enough to develop a common intuition and a strong collective voice: the elusive goal of any band in the ever-mutating postbop mainstream. Taking its lead from Mr. Marsalis, a saxophonist of obstinate candor, the band has become both looser and more imposingly self-assured. “Metamorphosen,” its new album, captures that dynamic almost perfectly. The title may be a touch misleading, though, since transformation ...

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Jazzaar Concerts Aarau 2009

Source: All About Jazz
March 16, 2009

Jazzaar concerts is a different kind of jazz festival found in Aarau, Switzerland with a heart for learning on the bandstand music education.

Every April the audience is entertained with premiers and brand new productions of musical works; Afro-American, Classical traditions as well as fusions into other genres.

But most uniquely, “jazzaar concerts" is specially known for its remarkable collaborations between professionals of international and national acclaim with selected Swiss youth, that culminate into memorable and grand performances that showcase ...

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Guitar Icon Jim Hall Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 16, 2009

There's good news and better news for the many fans of guitar great Jim Hall--counted among them a number of established guitarists who are, themselves, eminent. It would be hard to find a guitarist who doesn't look up to Hall and whose playing has not been influenced by him in some way. Players relish Hall's rich sound--the interesting melodic and harmonic ideas, the way he lets music breathe, the phrasing. The good news is that his most recent recording, the ...

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Brazilian Pop: Sambas with a Twist

Source: Michael Ricci
March 16, 2009

Generation after generation samba courses through Brazilian pop.

Two up-and-coming singers from São Paulo, Mariana Aydar and Jair Oliveira, made their New York solo debuts at Symphony Space at the World Music Institute’s two-night Brasil Fest, grounding themselves in samba before adding their own personal twists. “They said I sang the samba,” Mr. Oliveira sang in Portuguese in his concert on Saturday night. “But the samba sang me.” Mr. Oliveira, who turns 34 on Tuesday, is the son of Jair ...

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Leroy Jones Nominated for 21st Big Easy Entertainment Awards

Source: Spirit Of New Orleans Productions
March 16, 2009

Leroy Jones has been nominated for "Best Traditional Jazz" in the 21st Big Easy Entertainment Awards. The Big Easy Awards are New Orleans' premier event honoring the musical and theatrical talent of a city world renowned forits outstanding performing arts.

A combination of the Grammys and the Tonys in style, 45+ awards are presented to local talent by national and regional celebrities for accomplishments in both music and theater.

The winners will be honored at the awards gala at the ...

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