Last summer, in June of 2017, I had the privilege and opportunity to interview George Wein, founder and producer of the seminal Newport Jazz Festival. At 91, he was just in the process of supporting and transitioning the new artistic director Christian McBride into this demanding and critical role...
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Montréal Jazz Festival Ignites With a Summer Extravaganza of Music
When André Ménard, co-founder and artistic director of the Festival International de jazz de Montréal, explains the breath and scale of the outdoor and indoor venue and range of musicians(over 3,000) and concert choices(over 650) during a 10-day run from June 28thto July 7th, 2018, you are excused if...
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BLO Brings Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti into the 1960’s Nightclub Era
On May 11-20, 2018, the Boston Lyric Opera will premiere a new pairing of two Leonard Bernstein one-act operas: 1952’s “Trouble in Tahiti” and 1988’s “Arias and Barcarolles”. The music and arias are enough to grab your attention with the “B” name associated. But the added element of surprise...
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Boston’s New England Conservatory Celebrates: The Legacy of Bob Brookmeyer
The on-going celebration of New England Conservatory’s 150th anniversary brought well deserved attention to the Jazz Studies and Contemporary Improvisation departments for the 2017-2018 performance season. On March 1st, at Jordan Hall, NEC presented a very special tribute celebration to the legacy of Bob Brookmeyer, the legendary jazz musician...
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Boston’s ICA exhibit takes on the internet as art form
When you think of the internet, you generally take for granted that it’smostly a tool for your own personal or professional use, with all thebells and whistles. But when you dig below that surface, and start to explore beyond the technology, as stated by Barbara Lee, Chief curator at...
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Grace Kelly: Free From Boundaries
If you look at all the accomplishments of musical prodigy Grace Kelly, (acclaimed jazz saxophonist, singer, entertainer, songwriter and composer) it doesn’t immediately register that that she is just 25 years old. With a resume that includes a CD release (Dreaming in 2005) at 12, a special guest artist...
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The man who put Miles Davis on the stage at the Newport Jazz Festival
NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015 Miles Davis was not yet a household name in jazz in 1955 when he first appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival. In fact he wasn’t even scheduled to play. But history has now told of the incredible influence and wide reach of his trumpet playing...
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Arlo Guthrie Continues His Family’s Legacy With His Re:Generation Tour
Anyone familiar with the roots of American folk music, would instantlyrecognize the opening lyrics to “This Land Is Your Land” (1944)by Woody Guthrie –the father of folk music and singer, writer, traveling troubadour, political protester, people’s poet and philosopher for the forgotten, down trodden andmarginal America of the 1930’s...
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The Yoko Miwa Trio
The Yoko Miwa Trio Scullers Jazz Club, Boston, MA Thursday, Oct. 26th, 2017 8pm Inside Scullers’ new smaller jazz nightclub downstairs, with its dark wood interior and low light, it would be quiet except for the wonderfully energized and spirited enthusiasm that internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Yoko Miwa...
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MATT WILSON RELEASES ‘HONEY & SALT’ INSPIRED BY THE POETRY OF CARL SANDBURG
It’s not often that a musician can find inspiration in his favorite poet, compose a moving palette of jazz interpretations, while also sharing a distant relationship on the very same family tree. Jazz musician, drummer, composer and band leader Matt Wilson can make just that claim, with feeling and...
