Jazz News

A Destination, Never an Arrival: Essay by Steve Khan

Source: All About Jazz
January 5, 2009

A few days ago, I had just finished saying “Adios!" to my houseguests, who came to visit for a night in New York. During their time here, we had a wonderful and long conversation that embraced so many areas of life. As we three are all musicians, of course, the conversation, at some point, turned to musical issues. But more than that, we spoke of the philosophical notions related to having and maintaining a creative life in the arts.

I ...

Continue Reading

John Pizzarelli and Marcus Belgrave: American Songbooks and the Roots of Jazz Featured Pinehurst's Heart 'N Soul of Jazz 2009

Source: All About Jazz
January 5, 2009

John Pizzarelli and Marcus Belgrave light up marquee for 24th season VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. - The New York Times says they're “as good as it gets in any entertainment medium." John Pizzarelli and special guest star vocalist Jessica Molaskey will show a Pinehurst valentine's crowd just how strong they are as headliners to the annual Heart 'n Soul of Jazz weekend, February 13-14, 2009. With a talent for classic jazz guitar, an American songbook in hand and a penchant ...

Continue Reading

Piano Sensation Gerald Clayton at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers on January 25th

Source: All About Jazz
January 5, 2009

The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) announces a performance by rising piano star Gerald Clayton and his trio on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 5:00 at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers, Second Floor Ballroom, One North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA. The Dover High School Jazz Band led by George Bradshaw opens.

“Sensation" is an easy word to toss around in the entertainment industry. In the case of Gerald Clayton, there is substantial evidence to back up that description. At ...

Continue Reading

August Brown Jim Hall & Bill Frisell

Source: Michael Ricci
January 5, 2009

Hemispheres (ArtistShare) Bill Frisell with Jim Hall.

There seems to be a perception in modern jazz that free playing must be harsh and grating or at least difficult to absorb on first listen. With a number of inside-out improvisations mixed with respectfully reshuffled standards, this jazz guitar summit between 50-year veteran Jim Hall and Americana-dusted experimentalist Bill Frisell dispels that notion. The sprawling two-CD package offers a set of home-recorded duo explorations and another with Hall and Frisell backed by ...

Continue Reading

Trombonist Clifton Anderson Appears with His Quintet at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on February 2

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
January 5, 2009

Trombonist Clifton Anderson will bring a stellar quintet to Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on Monday, February 2 to showcase his new CD Decade. The CD, which is being released January 27th, is Anderson's first for Doxy/Emarcy Records, and the Dizzy's engagement is his first as a bandleader not only in New York but in the U.S. “Although I've performed as a leader in other parts of the world, this will be the first time I've appeared leading my own group in ...

Continue Reading

Paquito D'Rivera Hamming It up with a Cuban Accent

Source: Michael Ricci
January 5, 2009

The Cuban saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Paquito DRivera, now 60, came to the United States in 1981. Cuban music is the core of his repertory, but he has never, before now, led a Cuban band in this country.

Paquito DRivera played a run of shows with his new band. That may seem strange, except that hes been busy with broader ideas. Or maybe just one big idea: Afro-Latin music in the New World. His bands have included besides ...

Continue Reading

Ramana Vieira Joins Pacific Coast Jazz Label

Source: All About Jazz
January 5, 2009

San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz, announces the signing of Bay Area-based Portuguese Fado singer, Ramana Vieira. The agreement anticipates the release of their new CD, “Lagrimas De Rainha (Tears Of A Queen), “ slated for a street date of March 24, 2009. “We've been looking for a top quality world artist for our label for quite some time, “ says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. “Ramana has solidified her place as an artist ...

Continue Reading

Eric Roberts Among Finalists of the Independent Music Awards

Source: All About Jazz
January 5, 2009

Denver-based artist Eric Roberts is among a diverse group of independent musicians named as a finalist in the “new age" category of the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for the track “Flowing" from his debut CD “In A Silent Place, “ which has received rave reviews and features world renowned cellist, David Darling. “In A Silent Place" is an album of sublime instrumental guitar sounds." - 20th Century Guitar Magazine. “Eric Roberts plays guitar with a sincerity and emotive technique ...

Continue Reading