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Article: Album Review

Mercedes Nicole: Beautiful Alignment

Read "Beautiful Alignment" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
June 27, 2013

Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Nina Simone all make appearances in the biography of Seattle-based singer Mercedes Nicole. She has been a creative face in jazz since the turn of the century, writing, producing and performing tributes to Simone, Etta James, and Dinah Washington. With Beautiful Alignment, Nicole debuts on disc with a collection ...

Article: Extended Analysis

Dave Koz and Friends: Summer Horns

by Jeff Winbush
June 15, 2013

The idea of a quartet of top smooth jazz saxophonists gathering for a super-session must have seemed like a great idea to Dave Koz. Why not invite Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair and Richard Elliot to join him for a sax summit? Hang out, play some together, have some laughs. It'll be fun. What could possibly go ...

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Article: Film Review

A Great Day in Harlem: The Spirit Lives - 50 Years On

by Ian Patterson
May 30, 2013

This encore presentation from January 2009 celebrates Jean Bach, director of A Great Day in Harlem. Ms. Bach died on May 27th at her home in Manhattan. She was 94.It is probably the most celebrated ensemble jazz portrait of all time. Fifty-seven of the greatest jazz musicians gathered together on the steps of a ...

Article: Just For Fun

Hot Rod Jazz God, Part 2: An Open Letter to Rod Stewart

by Jason West
May 28, 2013

Um, Mr. Stewart, if you're reading this, first I want to apologize. In the past I wrote some things that you may have found slightly offensive.Like those bits about harmless Uncle Rod who shows up on holidays with a bottle-shaped microphone and comparing your interpretation of standard jazz melodies to a bull in downtown ...

Article: Tell Me More

Diana Krall: Rediscovering Vaudeville in Glad Rag Doll

by Belinda Ware
May 11, 2013

Diana Krall is more than just a jazz songstress. She established herself as a solid interpreter of standards with her rendition of the Dusty Springfield's classic, “The Look of Love," making her mark with notable acoustic arrangements coupled with openly sensuous vocals carrying the tune. Krall is one of the jazz world's uniquely eclectic ...

Article: Live Review

Denise Donatelli and Geoffrey Keezer Quartet: Half Moon Bay, CA, April 13, 2013

by Bill Leikam
May 10, 2013

Denise Donatelli and Geoffrey Keezer QuartetDouglas Beach House aka Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society/ConcertHalf Moon Bay, CaliforniaApril 21, 2013Two-time Grammy nominee Denise Donatelli once again teamed up with master pianist Geoffrey Keezer for the singer's performance at the Bach Dynamite and Dancing Society. Aside from these two principals, Essiet ...

Article: Live Review

Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour: Mesa, AZ, April 26, 2013

by Patricia Myers
May 10, 2013

Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th AnniversaryMesa Arts CenterMesa, AZApril 26, 2013Six jazz stars connected to the Monterey Jazz Festival performed a diverse repertoire relating to other musicians associated with its history, with nods to pianist Duke Ellington, singer Billie Holiday and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. The concert included both full sextet ...

Article: Catching Up With

Geri Allen: Apollo's Muse

by Bob Kenselaar
May 6, 2013

Pianist/composer Geri Allen is gearing up for her role as artistic director for an especially ambitious production of the 2013 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival at the Apollo Theater. Presented as “Geri Allen & Friends Celebrate the Great Jazz Women of the Apollo," the program will offer two shows on May 11, 2013 that explore the legacy ...

Article: Album Review

Geof Bradfield: Melba!

Read "Melba!" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
May 5, 2013

Melba Liston (1926-1999) isn't one of the big names that comes up when great jazz composer/arrangers are mentioned, but it should be. Starting as a trombonist with some of the greats--Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Count Basie, Art Blakey--she soon began working with Randy Weston, arranging the pianist's composition on Uhuru Africa, (Roulette Records, 1960) and Highlife ...

Article: Take Five With...

Take Five With Joy Divine

by AAJ Staff
May 4, 2013

Meet Joy Divine:The power of music is my inspiration. The simple truth is, I love to sing. Anyone who knows me would say, I'm a passionate advocate for keeping music alive, no matter what. Anyone who knows me would also say I am a passionate advocate for keeping music alive in your life, no ...