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Article: What is Jazz?

Jazz House Kids: The House that Jazz Built

by Bob Kenselaar
April 6, 2018

When we think of jazz education, we might first think about what's developed at the college level and at music conservatories over the last fifty years or so, and then maybe consider how jazz instruction and jazz bands have flourished at the high school and middle school levels a little more recently. But beyond these settings, ...

Article: Album Review

Christian McBride Big Band: Bringin' It

Read "Bringin' It" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
September 8, 2017

Where and how does Christian McBride find the time to do what he does? His plate is full about nine times over, what with his work as bassist, composer, bandleader, educator, jazz advocate, public speaker, radio personality, DJ, and Artistic Director for the Newport Jazz Festival. It's no wonder that it took him six years to ...

Article: Live Review

TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2015

by Alain Londes
July 2, 2015

TD Toronto Jazz Festival Various locations Toronto, Canada June 18-29, 2015 With festival season in full swing, it's always an opportunity to see what the state of jazz is and to hopefully discover something new. The challenge is of course that there are always many choices and one might be guided ...

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Article: Big Band Caravan

Nova Jazz Orchestra / Christian McBride Big Band / NYJO

by Jack Bowers
March 5, 2012

Nova Contemporary Jazz OrchestraWho Sez You Can't Dance to Bebop?Nova Jazz2010 When last heard from, Minnesota's dauntless Nova Jazz Orchestra was performing alongside the legendary Stan Kenton Orchestra--well, not actually “alongside," but as part of the Tantara label's ongoing two-disc salute to Kenton, Double Feature, Vol. 2. ...

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Article: Album Review

Christian McBride Big Band: The Good Feeling

Read "The Good Feeling" reviewed by David Rickert

by David Rickert
October 12, 2011

In today's jazz world, with most artists working clubs in small combos, there may be something a little retro about a big band recording. However, there are always musicians that are up for the challenge of arranging and recording for larger groups despite the logistics involved.Enter Christian McBride, one of the most accomplished and ...

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Article: Album Review

Christian McBride Big Band: The Good Feeling

Read "The Good Feeling" reviewed by Larry Taylor

by Larry Taylor
September 23, 2011

With all that Christian McBride has accomplished in his 30 year jazz career, The Good Feeling is his first recording fronting a big band. This formidable bassist has had a versatile career as leader, sideman, composer and arranger; he has appeared with a galaxy of star players from jazz, as well as rock ...

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Article: Album Review

Christian McBride Big Band: The Good Feeling

Read "The Good Feeling" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
September 18, 2011

The Good Feeling marks the debut of the Christian McBride Big Band, but the seeds for this album were sown in the mid-'90s. Jazz at Lincoln Center commissioned McBride to write and arrange his first major big band work--"Bluesin' In Alphabet City"--in 1995, and that experience really sparked his interest in composing for large groups. Now, ...

Album

In The Middle Of It All

By Melissa Walker

Label: Sunnyside Records
Released: 2009
Track listing: In The Middle Of It All; Don't Give Up; The Way He Makes Me Feel; I'll Sing A Song; The Other Woman; Forget Me; Mr. Bojangles; If You Could Love Me; Invitation; I'm With You Now; Our Love Remains; Where Or When.

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Article: Album Review

Melissa Walker: In The Middle Of It All

Read "In The Middle Of It All" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose

by Raul d'Gama Rose
August 29, 2009

If there was something similar to “method acting" in music and it were not so passé a word, then it would be tempting to suggest that Melissa Walker's In The Middle Of It All is such a master class. As it happens, the record is a lot more than that, hinting at griot traditions and as ...

Album