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688

Article: What is Jazz?

The Story of Jazz Guitar

by AAJ Staff
January 27, 2009

While in its early days, jazz guitar was considered a rhythm instrument alongside the banjo of Dixieland. In 1940, Charlie Christian and his Gibson ES-150 changed that and elevated guitar to lead instrument status alongside the saxophone and trumpet--instruments that could acoustically cut through the sound of a piano-bass-drums rhythm section. Here, we encapsulate some of ...

1,394

Article: Interview

Sonny Rollins: Still Seeking the Lost Chord

by R.J. DeLuke
January 13, 2009

The Saxophone Colossus. The greatest living improvising musician. A musical god. Sonny Rollins has been called all these things at one time or another by fans across the globe, as well as by those involved in the pursuit of music criticism and jazz history. There's no question he is the greatest remaining icon to come out ...

725

Article: Profile

Candido: Fountain of Youth

by AAJ Staff
December 22, 2008

By Bobby Sanabria At the youthful age of 87, NEA Jazz Master Candido Camero has indeed led a full life with no signs of slowing down. While still maintaining a busy schedule of performing and traveling, “The Man of a Thousand Fingers" is still wowing audiences the world over as a shining example of ...

1,099

Article: Profile

Curtis Fuller: Motor City Messenger

by Russ Musto
December 1, 2008

The most recorded jazz trombonist of his lifetime, Curtis Fuller's illustrious career spans six decades and includes tenures with many of the greatest names in this music. Born Dec. 15th, 1934 in Detroit, Fuller was orphaned at an early age, but found family in the close-knit jazz community of the musically fertile Motor City. He first ...

374

Article: Album Review

Bevort - Schmidt: Playground + 1

Read "Playground + 1" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
November 26, 2008

Playground + 1 is an apt name for this impressive release by this Danish quartet led by saxophonist/vocalist Pernille Bevort and pianist Marie Louis Schmidt, as in many ways a playground bears analogy to a jazz group. In both, freedom exists within boundaries and individual expression thrives within a group identity. There is a collective dependency ...

1,467

Article: Profile

Jan Johansson: From Small Acorns...

by Ian Patterson
November 24, 2008

Upon hearing the news and in a state of disbelief, Randi Hultin the legendary Norwegian jazz journalist rang pianist Reinhold Svensson who confirmed the worst: “Yes. Swedish jazz has just died."1 Reinhold's reaction to the death in a car accident of fellow pianist Jan Johansson whilst melodramatic reflected Jan Johansson's importance in the contemporary Swedish jazz ...

555

Article: From Far and Wide

Cab Calloway Home a New Landmark?

by Fradley Garner
November 17, 2008

“A bad happening for the jazz community" is how reedsman Dave Liebman described the demise earlier this year of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Why IAJE filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is still being asked, but part of the problem was the return to Toronto for this year's conference. Attendance was little more than half ...

132

News: Event

Basie Theater Renovation Turns Back the Clock 82 Years

November 14, 2008

FOR years, performers like Bruce Springsteen, George Carlin and Whoopi Goldberg took the stage at the aging Count Basie Theater amid decaying plaster and leaking ceilings. Repairmen stood on call to fix any seat that suddenly gave way. We used to tell the performers that the audience here was great; the house itself, not so good, ...

143

News: Music Industry

The New Yorker's 100 Essential Jazz Albums

May 15, 2008

While finishing “Bird-Watcher," a Profile of the jazz broadcaster and expert Phil Schaap, I thought it might be useful to compile a list of a hundred essential jazz albums, more as a guide for the uninitiated than as a source of quarrelling for the collector. First, I asked Schaap to assemble the list, but, after a ...

Album