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Frech Doc: Bud Powell
To fully feel the beauty and grace of jazz at its highest level, you must appreciate the sadness that comes with the joy and the poetry that's baked into the music's history. They are one, like two sides of a coin. Virtually all of the exceptional jazz musicians had tragic sides, making one wonder whether greatness ...
Videos: Three Ellington Reeds
Duke Ellington was a tonal impressionist. Each musician in his band had two functions—to be able to play and to have a special sound. Taken as a whole, his orchestral pieces were like canvases, with different hues layered on top of each other. Here are three of Ellington's top saxophonists on solo showcases, providing an opportunity ...
Exploring conflicts between our digital and natural worlds – through music
Composer, bandleader and NEA Jazz Master Maria Schneider’s creativity knows no bounds. Her stellar music, voiced by her longstanding Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, has drawn on many influences and inspirations throughout her career. Some of her earliest intricate and colorful works were prompted by memories of imaginary monsters conjured up in her Minnesota childhood. A formidable ...
Grant Green: Church Perch
Guitarist Grant Green recorded two gospel-flavored leadership albums. The first was Sunday Mornin', in June 1961, and the second was Feelin' the Spirit in December 1962. Though Green would become a Blue Note studio star in the 1960s and '70s, he grew up in St. Louis and began his career at age 13 playing guitar in ...
Interview: Allegra Levy
I came upon Allegra Levy's new album back in July, when Nils Winther at Steeplechase in Denmark alerted me to its August release. As I listened to the album, I flipped. Allegra's voice was wonderfully hip, the song melodies were unknown but sophisticated and savvy, her lyrics were superb and she was joined by three other ...
Charlie Parker at 100: Part 5
This week, I've been celebrating Charlie Parker's centenary on August 29 by posting on the alto saxophonist's five major contributions to jazz and the culture at large. In Part 1, I posted about Parker's invention, with Dizzy Gillespie, of bebop in 1945. In Part 2, I posted on Parker's popularization of high-speed improvisation. In Part 3, ...
Charlie Parker at 100: Part 4
This week, I'm celebrating Charlie Parker's upcoming centenary on August 29 by posting on what I believe are the alto saxophonist's five major contributions to jazz and the culture in general. In Part 1, I posted about Parker's invention of bebop with Dizzy Gillespie in 1945. In Part 2, I posted on Parker's popularization of high-speed ...
Charlie Parker at 100: Part 3
In celebration of Charlie Parker's centenary on August 29, I'm spending the week posting on five major accomplishments by the alto saxophonist. On Monday, I posted about Parker's invention with Dizzy Gillespie in 1945 of a transformative genre of improvised jazz that became known as bebop. On Tuesday, I posted about Parker's popularization of high-speed and ...
Charlie Parker at 100: Part 2
Yesterday, in Part 1 of this series, I posted about the five reasons why Charlie Parker was such an important jazz figure. I also posted about his first accomplishment, the invention of bebop with Dizzy Gillespie in 1945. Today, let's look at the second reason—his ability to improvise fluidly at a high speed. Speed was essential ...
Charlie Parker at 100: Part 1
August 29 will mark Charlie Parker's centenary—the 100th anniversary of his birth. The alto saxophonist was a critically important revolutionary and remains essential listening today for five historical reasons: First, he helped invent bebop in 1945, a jazz form that shifted the focus from bands and bandleaders to individuals. Second, he helped invent a new way ...
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In Tribute To...
Points of View: Celebrating Dave Holland
In Tribute To...
John Coltrane At 100: A Global Perspective
Jazz Raconteurs
Julius Hemphill: Marty Ehrlich and Tim Berne Remember a...
Live Review
Detroit Jazz Festival 2026: A Gathering in a Great Jazz City
Profile
Sequoia Snyder: Growing in the Light of the Masters
Paul's Picks
New York City Jazz Performance Preview: Fall 2026
Interview
Jasur Khalilov: From Falak to Fusion
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