Q&A: Cuong Vu
Cuong Vu has been one of the most creative musicians in jazz since the late 1990’s. I remember first hearing his album Bound in 2000 and being blown away by the sheer scale of the music featured on that recording. His later album called Come Play With Me was even better. In 2003, I remember seeing him perform brilliantly with Pat Metheny Group – a stint that lasted for many years. Read more
Jazz Backstage: Roy Haynes & Chick Corea
Legendary drummer Roy Haynes continues to blow people away when they hear his performance on the 1968 classic trio album by Chick Corea, Now He Sing Now He Sobs. Even after 40 years, Roy’s ride cymbal sound, as perfectly captured on the tracks “Steps/What Was” and “The Matrix,” is still the stuff worthy of lengthly discussions among drummers of all sorts, jazz and beyond. Read more
The Traneumentary: Dave Liebman
The great saxophonist Dave Liebman reveals his personal story witnessing John Coltrane performing live and how that experience changed his life. Dave also shares deep and thoughtful perspectives on John Coltrane’s artistic place in the music world. Read more
Jazz Takes a Back Seat at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
This was originally posted by Brian Ross (Managing Editor of Truth-2-Power.com) on The Huffington Post on 5/8/11. Brian makes some excellent points about the state of the music today. Feel free to discuss below.
Yes, I speak jazz heresy: Maybe it is time that the promoters of the annual April/May music festival in New Orleans fess up. Jazz may get top billing on the signage and the posters at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but it rides the back of the bus on the fairgrounds. Read more
Brilliant Sketches: Marcus Miller
The brilliant Miles Davis recording Sketches of Spain turned 50 in 2009 and on behalf of Legacy Recordings, who reissued a special collector’s edition CD that same year, I produced a podcast series celebrating this masterpiece. Read more
NYU Jazz Interview Series: Stefon Harris
“I’m gonna get a t-shirt that says, I HEAR DEAD PEOPLE,” proclaimed Stefon Harris just prior to our interview when I asked him what he thought about the state of jazz radio. While his passion and drive are spawn from the traditions of jazz music, Stefon is definitely a trailblazer who lives in the present and is committed to creating new music for new audiences. Read more
Brilliant Sketches: Herb Alpert
The brilliant Miles Davis recording Sketches of Spain turned 50 in 2009 and on behalf of Legacy Recordings, who reissued a special collector’s edition CD that same year, I produced a podcast series celebrating this masterpiece. Read more
The Traneumentary: Michael Cuscuna (commentary)
He’s baaack!!! Mosaic Records founder, renowned reissue producer and overall jazz authority Michael Cuscuna takes us inside the famous New York jazz spot Birdland circa 1961 and comments on the John Coltrane Quartet’s historic recording of “Afro Blue.” Read more
That Motown Swing
The great Motown sound not only influenced music in the pop arena but it also left its indelible mark on jazz. A few years ago I produced a podcast series celebrating the 50th anniversary of Motown and I included a number of jazz stars to round out the story. Read more
Brilliant Sketches: Nicholas Payton
The brilliant Miles Davis recording Sketches of Spain turned 50 in 2009 and on behalf of Legacy Recordings, who reissued a special collector’s edition CD that same year, I produced a podcast series celebrating this masterpiece. Read more
Celebrating CTI Records’ 40th Anniversary – Part 3
Contributed by guest blogger Doug Payne (Sound Insights)
Masterworks Jazz continues the 40th anniversary celebration of the legendary CTI Records legacy that began last October with an additional four titles issued this week: George Benson’s Beyond the Blue Horizon, Freddie Hubbard’s First Light, Don Sebesky’s all-star Giant Box and Stanley Turrentine’s Salt Song. While each of the releases have had previous American CD issues, most have been out of print for a number of years and each are important – and significant – milestones in the CTI tradition. Read more
Julian Lage Unplugged
I recently had the pleasure of producing a video interview with the exciting guitarist Julian Lage for his latest recording Gladwell. After we completed our interview session, I asked Julian if he would be into performing one of the album’s tunes on his vintage Gibson acoustic guitar for sort of an unplugged version and he happily obliged. Read more
