As Wynton Marsalis approaches his 61st birthday, his career as an ambassador and curator of jazz history, its seminal importance and influence as an original American art form, has been both critical and essential. Beyond his accomplishments as a supremely gifted trumpeter and composer, stellar performer & veteran band,...
-
-
Cécile McLorin Salvant: A Sublime Vocal Exploration, Not seeking definition – But Change
Looking at the substantially self-guided career of a young performer, with as many upper-tier awards, recognition and accolades to her credit as she’s earned, Cécile McLorin Salvant, at 32, has a critical reputation beyond her years. Aside from her vocal gift for phrasing and an unmatched richness, quality, and...
-
Joey DeFrancesco: Philly funk and soul master on the Hammond B3 organ
The music world abounds with references to Philly soul or Philly funk and its heritage of legendary musicians. Philly jazz musicians have also earned such iconic references. But there is one contemporary recording artist, constantly touring with top-shelf talent and held by most jazz musicians as a virtuoso on...
-
Interview with Mary Halvorson: Compositional adventures in modern experimental jazz & beyond
Experimental jazz guitarist, composer and ensemble bandleader Mary Halvorson has evolved her individual style and pushed an incredibly varied direction in musical expression over the course of numerous projects since 2005. Finding significant critical attention in 2017, 2018, and 2019, by virtue of consecutive wins in DownBeat’s International Critics...
-
Charles Mingus: Jazz’s Underdog and Compositional Giant
If a compositional work of music such as a 500-page score was discovered in our current era, that when arranged and performed would be 2.5 hours long and require 30 musicians to perform, you’d assume this was a classical piece for a symphony. Yet Epitaph is a composition by...
-
Stan Getz: The melodic phrase master – the “Sound” never out of style
Known for his lyrical and relaxed style on the tenor saxophone, exceptional improvisor and seminal influence on his instrument, Lester Young, “The Prez,” was interviewed in a Paris hotel room just two months before he died. In response to a question about big bands like Count Basie’s Orchestra, where...
-
New England Conservatory’s Artist in Residence program sets example of excellence
New England Conservatory in Boston is recognized as one of the top music schools in the country, and at the forefront of leadership in educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. NEC’s music students represent more than 40 countries, and per its mission statement, it...
-
Wes Montgomery: Generations of jazz guitarists intimate his technique and style
The telling originality and influence of a great innovator in jazz, based on their instrument, technique, and voicing, is often echoed by the number of outstanding musicians of future generations that advance the established style. The signature thumb-based strumming method, soft tone, and octave-chordal sound of Wes Montgomery’s Gibson...
-
Doug Hall’s Choice of Top Jazz Recordings Of 2021
To echo the converging sentiments and “high-fives” for a slew of extraordinary releases under a continued full-frontal assault of Covid Revenge part 2, there is a lot to embrace. I found myself sweeping though streaming releases and recordings of a vast variety of jazz genre. Seeing new faces and...
-
Ray Brown: Bassist of first choice for all legendary band leaders: Gillespie, Peterson and Sinatra
In the arena of large jazz orchestras – whether it be Duke Ellington, Count Basie, or Dizzy Gillespie – the choice of an individual musician becomes a critical decision for any bandleader. Ray Brown, legendary acoustic double-bassist, DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame winner, and peer-less performer of his instrument,...
