Jazz News

Kenton's Big Sound Getting a Revival

Source: All About Jazz
August 10, 2008

Was there ever a big band with a more colossal sound than Stan Kenton's? The pianist piled on mountains of brass and woodwinds that devastated appreciative listeners, and many of those fans who were of college age when his orchestra ruled campuses in the '50s remain in awe of the group's prowess nearly three decades after his death. And though Kenton's name probably isn't often mentioned in the same hushed tones as Ellington's or Basie's, his group was enormously popular ...

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Portugal's Summer of Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
August 10, 2008

With an impressive line-up of artists from around the world, jazz will be a central feature of Portugal's cultural offering in the summer months, from the northern most region of Minho to the southern tip of the Algarve. This year's highlight will be the 10th annual Angra Jazz festival, in October, performed in the old converted bullring on the beautiful island of Terceira, in the Azores. Multiple Grammy Award winner Herbie Hancock will headline. Angra Jazz 2008 promises to be ...

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New Jersey Blues and Jazz Festival

Source: All About Jazz
August 10, 2008

The State Theatre presents the New Jersey Blues & Jazz Festival at the Backstage Jazz Club, September 25-27. It's an all-star musical lineup in an intimate setting for serious and casual jazz and blues fans alike. Featured performances during the festival include Legend of Blues: Pinetop Perkins featuring Hubert Sumlin and Willie “Big Eyes" Smith; Ron Carter Quartet and vocalist Lisa Sokolov; and Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers and John Hammond. All three sets take place in the exclusive ...

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Conor Oberst Once-Bright Eyes, Wide Open to a New Vista

Source: Michael Ricci
August 10, 2008

WHAT happened to Bright Eyes?

For the last decade the songwriter Conor Oberst has released the vast majority of his songs as Bright Eyes, working under that name with groups small and large. Dipping into syles from folk-rock to punk to country to electronica, Bright Eyes relied on Mr. Oberst's open-hearted, sometimes painfully candid songs about romance, songwriting, politics and the porous interaction between art and life, constantly questioning his own honesty as he blurted things out. He could sound ...

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Dave Stewart's Songs: Eurythmics and More

Source: Michael Ricci
August 10, 2008

CUE THE STRINGS: Stewart, best known for being half of Eurythmics, pairs with a full orchestra in rerecording 21 of his songs.

The musician teams his Rock Fabulous Orchestra to rerecord 21 of his songs. Dave Stewart & His Rock Fabulous Orchestra The Dave Stewart Songbook: Volume One Surfdog Records

DAVE STEWART is still best known as one-half of Eurythmics, his hit-making collision of fiery soul and icy electronics with singer Annie Lennox. But he's also had an ...

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Alonso Brito Left Cuba, but It Never Left Him Plays L.A.

Source: Michael Ricci
August 10, 2008

BACK IN L.A.: Alonso Brito and band at King King in Hollywood, where he ends a four- week stay on Tuesday.

The singer-songwriter was 10 when his family moved from Havana. But now, an improbable half-century later, he's back with a debut album steeped in island salsa.

In a world where nothing ever stays the same I am left with only things I cannot change -- Alonso Brito, Co-writer, “Things I Cannot Change"

THE PUBLICITY photos ...

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Jazz Swings into Beijing

Source: All About Jazz
August 10, 2008

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

As host of the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing is rapidly becoming one of the world's 'must- see' destinations. Beijing intends to set an example for how the Olympic agenda in the 21st century can be implemented and the Games have given China the greatest opportunity to showcase itself to the rest of the world. This festival of sport showcases the greatest, fastest and strongest competitors in the world. China is striving to create the most memorable ...

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Apple Reviews Netshare; Permanent Ban Likely

Source: All About Jazz
August 10, 2008

Nullriver's short-lived iPhone application NetShare, which turns your iPhone into a wireless modem for your laptop, might not be returning to the App Store after all.

Earlier in the week, Nullriver received a response from Apple saying the removal of NetShare was a mistake that required “technical review." It turns out that was a blanket term, because in a phone interview today Nullriver's CEO Adam Dan said Apple was reviewing user contracts with providers, including AT&T. Though Apple is continuing ...

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