Articles by Dave Kaufman
James Brandon Lewis: Jazz, Spirituality, and the Art and Science of Musical Abstraction
by Dave Kaufman
The contemporary jazz world is currently witnessing an artistic renaissance, characterized by an upsurge in creativity and innovation. This movement is fueled in part by rising stars such as Joel Ross, Immanuel Wilkins, and Isaiah Collier, as well as seasoned veterans like Charles Lloyd, David Murray, William Parker, Joe Lovano, and Bill Frisell, whose creative passion remains vibrant and fires undiminished decades into their career. However, much of the surge in innovation has been driven by artists who are entering ...
read moreMuriel Grossmann Explores A Musical Universe of Boundless Possibility
by Dave Kaufman
Muriel Grossmann, a talented alto, tenor, soprano saxophonist and composer, was born in France and grew up in jny: Vienna. She has lived in jny: Ibiza, Spain, since 2004. Devotion, her 15th album, was released on December 1, 2023, on Third Man Records. I stumbled across this gem on the Tidal streaming service in early January. Grossman was unknown to me, but the album's captivating cover drew me in and I listened without any preconceptions. I was immediately ...
read moreAllison Au's Migration Project: Transition, Trauma, and Transcendence
by Dave Kaufman
"Human beings are both fixed and wandering, settlers and nomads. Our history is the story of the nomad giving way to the settler but when people are unsettled, they have to migrate." (Ruth Padel, On Migration, 2013) Human migration has exerted a profound and far-reaching influence on the evolution of our civilization and the shaping of our cultural landscape. Much has been written about the Great Migration of the first decades of the 20th century, in which millions ...
read moreCharles Lloyd Commemorates his 85th Year with a Memorable Performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center
by Dave Kaufman
Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) honored Charles Lloyd on the occasion of his 85th birthday, featuring him in two concerts. The Friday night performance (October 13) showcased his trio, Sangam, which includes tabla master Zakir Hussain and long-time Lloyd associate, drummer Eric Harland. I had the privilege of attending the Saturday evening concert on October 14th, where Lloyd performed with his “New Quartet," comprising Reuben Rogers on bass, Eric Harland on drums, and Jason Moran on piano, musicians who have ...
read moreDay 3 at Newport Jazz Festival: Hearing the Future and Honoring the History
by Dave Kaufman
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Sunday, the fest's final day, was glorious, with perfect weather and large, enthusiastic crowds. Friday and Saturday had killer lineups, but the festival arguably saved the best for last. There were a total of 17 acts. This included young emerging stars such as Samara Joy and Matthew Whitaker. My festival experience was bookended by two octogenarians, Charles McPherson and Herbie Hancock. Both were in peak form and among the day's ...
read moreRenewing the Legacy: The Day 2 Musical Odyssey at the Newport Jazz Festival
by Dave Kaufman
Day 1 | Day 2 | Part 3 The first day at the Newport showcased a multitude of performers who could be described as “beyond jazz" or “jazz adjacent." Their performances were greeted enthusiastically, and they added a palpable energy and a festive vibe. In the last two days of the festival, the balance shifted somewhat to artists working within the elastic boundaries of the tradition. Kudos to artist director Christian McBride for curating an exceptional roster of ...
read moreCelebrating Randy Weston: An Evening with T.K. Blue and the African Rhythms Alumni Quartet at Dizzy's
by Dave Kaufman
Randy Weston passed away at the age of 92 in September 2018, leaving an indelible mark on the jazz community. Just weeks prior to his transition, he had given a performance at the Nice Jazz Festival and was in fine form. Weston enjoyed many accolades in the last chapter of his life including being recognized as an NEA Jazz Master and receiving a prestigious Doris Duke award. He was a noted composer, contributing many jazz classics to the jazz pantheon, ...
read moreA Celebration of Excellence and Musical Diversity at Day one at the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival
by Dave Kaufman
Day 1 | Day 2 | Part 3The Newport Jazz Festival is one of the planet's most fabled and celebrated jazz festivals and it has been towards the top of my bucket list for a very long time. I have attended jazz festivals for almost 40 years since my youth and finally made it to Newport on its 68th anniversary. It was magnificent--a peak lifetime musical experience. Over the festival's three-day span, I was an ecstatic whirlwind, photographing ...
read moreKamasi Washington, Trombone Shorty and George Clinton Kickoff a New Season of Outdoor Music
by Dave Kaufman
The jny: New York City summer music season kicked off with a series of extravagant concerts that turned out large crowds to the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park and Central Park SummerStage presentations. The comfortable temperatures and low humidity created perfect conditions for outdoor events. Perhaps, the crowds were also buoyed by a collective sense of the need to get out and experience live music after two years of living with greatly diminished live music opportunities. The BRIC series ...
read moreThe Magical Realism of Valerie June
by Dave Kaufman
Valerie June is something of an enigma. She has an earthiness and pragmatism, befitting someone who grew up in small-town Tennessee. At other times, she conveys a child-like innocence and sense of wonder. June is also a cosmic dreamer in pursuit of harmony in the universe. She is also a first-rate artist who has released three outstanding albums and is a magnificent performer. I had the great pleasure of seeing her perform in jny: New York City (May 4, 2022). ...
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