Jazz News

John Legend at the Gibson Amphitheatre

Source: Michael Ricci
January 15, 2009

“John Legend is suave and smooth," read a text message crawling across the jumbo screen before the 13-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter's performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre on Tuesday.

Indeed, with songs so silken and seamless as to be soporific, the 30-year-old R&B balladeer has emerged as the preeminent practitioner of vanilla latte soul for the sport coat-and-cravat crowd, a Brian McKnight for Generation Y.

To his credit, Legend affects a winsome affability on-stage and knows his role, winking at the audience, ...

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Detroit Jazz Fest 2009 Call for Artists

Source: JazzStage Productions
January 15, 2009

The Detroit International Jazz Festival is now accepting submissions from local and regional artists interested in performing at the 30th anniversary event, September 4 September 7.

Detroit Jazz Fest has been hailed as one of the top 5 jazz festivals in the country, and is an exceptional showcase for Detroit-based artists. “There aren't nearly enough slots for all of the qualified musicians, so the competition is fierce," said Terri Pontremoli, executive director of the DJF. “The music legacy in this ...

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Neil Young Debuts Fork in the Road Clip

Source: All About Jazz
January 15, 2009

Neil Young was frantically writing songs about the economic meltdown and his LincVolt project during his 2008 world tour, playing as many as ten per show by the time the trek wrapped last month.

Just a few days ago he posted another new one on YouTube and his website with virtually no fanfare. Wearing a blue Tube Amp Repair t-shirt and eating an apple (with headphones plugged into it), Young sings about the economic collapse against a basic blues beat. ...

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Barack Obama Selects the Dead for Inaugural Ball

Source: All About Jazz
January 15, 2009

Just a week after confirming their first tour in five years, the reunited Greatfull Dead are booked to rock the Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. on January 20th.

A DJ will open up its a long, strange trip! [Barack Obama] picked us specifically, so it was quite an honor. There was a short list and we made the cut. As for the most important question can the band jam at the ball? Its pretty tight, about an hour set. ...

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Wireless 4G Coming to Europe in 2010

Source: All About Jazz
January 15, 2009

Even as telecom carriers in North America work on rolling out their 3G networks nationwide, Europe seems to be ready to take the next step.

European wireless service provider TeliaSonera says its plans to have commercial roll out of 4G in Stockholm and Oslo in 2010.

TeliaSoneras goal is to be one of the first operators in the world to launch 4G, says the company. TeliaSonera has chosen Ericsson for the initial 4G city network in Stockholm and Huawei for ...

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NAMM Chief Joe Lamond is Upbeat About Music Equipment Sales

Source: Michael Ricci
January 15, 2009

Starting today, the Anaheim Convention Center becomes ground zero for guitar geeks. It's the annual four-day trade show of the music products industry, and hotshot musicians from around the country will be there to check out the latest guitars, amps, electronic keyboards and digital recording gear.

Guitar sales remain strong, up about 1% in spite of the economy. Our surveys show that 82% of people who dont play an instrument wish they did. The way music fits into our society, ...

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Steve Jobs Probably Won't Come Back to Apple

Source: All About Jazz
January 15, 2009

In a letter to Apple staff on Wednesday, Jobs said he was taking a five-month medical leave because his health issues are “more complex than I originally thought."

In the note, Jobs promised to return to Apple in the summer, which many are hoping is true. “Apple won't be the same w/o his creative leadership," tweeted Heredes. “Praying for your health, Steve."

But Jobs' letter contradicts a statement the CEO published just last week, in which he said he was ...

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Fred Herschs Club Jazz Between Old Fashions and New Tastes

Source: Michael Ricci
January 15, 2009

Most small-group jazz combines composition and improvisation, and one is generally losing the battle against the other. Thats fine; its part of what gives a band its character. But in Fred Herschs music, which he plays as part of a quintet at the Village Vanguard this week, the two elements are balanced pretty perfectly.

Mr. Hersch, a pianist, comes with a sensibility well informed by the best American composers in jazz, theater and films, by Brazilian music, by classical music. ...

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