Watch: Icons Among Us | Jazz in the Present Tense
Featuring interviews, tons of performance footage, and insight from some of the greatest, the hour-and-a-half long feature delves into some of the issues facing what some call “jazz” today. While you’re watching, keep your eyes peeled for some of the innovative drummers of today as well as the influential drummers of the past—there are some great moments featuring them all.
2013 JJA Nominees Announced
The 2013 Jazz Journalists Association Nominees have been announced and it is an intriguing mix of musicians both generationally and geographically. Check out their nominees and be sure to tune in to see who gets the award on May 1st!
Newport Jazz Festival Announces Additional Acts
The historic Newport Jazz Festival announced some very exciting additional acts for what is sure to be another great year for the festival. Featuring Wayne Shorter’s 80th Birthday Celebration: Wayne Shorter Quartet with special guests Herbie Hancock ,Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, & Brian Blade; for starters makes this a must-attend event.
Wayne Shorter’s Without a Net
The same Wayne Shorter behind game-changing standards like “Footprints,” “Nefertiti,” and “Kryptonite” was ever-present throughout this album, but that also indicates he’s on a pathway to unknown territory, too. Without a Net flies a heart-pounding trapeze of dizzying melodies and acrobatic rhythms that leaves the listener breathless and exhilarated. Never has it been so great to feel so unsafe.
2013 is Approaching!
We’re about to welcome in 2013 and subsequently there is a lot to be excited about. Concerts, albums, artists, artwork, and more are coming in the new year. Check out just a few of the things you should be excited about in 2013!
Miles Davis Quintet: Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 2
The second volume of one of the most exciting releases from the Miles Davis collection we’ve seen in the past few years drops January 29th, 2013. It features the “Third Great Quintet” of Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette.
Wayne Shorter Announces 2013 Tour
When we got the news that Wayne Shorter would be returning to Blue Note Records this year for his first recording with them in over four decades, the excitement really started to brew. Now with tour dates for the project announced, it is definitely fair to share our excitement.
2012 Detroit Jazz Festival Recap + Photos
For much of Labor Day weekend, this year’s festival illustrated how both humanity and jazz are inextricably linked. The selection of artist performances and in-depth panel discussions not only offered something different for everyone, but especially when much of today’s music sounds homogenized, this festival was a reminder that there are still unique perspectives and takes on what jazz can sound like.
Endangered Species: The Music of Wayne Shorter at Dizzy’s
Dizzy’s is hosting an amazing tribute to the music of Wayne Shorter by a group of our generation’s most talented artists including Marcus Strickland, Ravi Coltrane, Jeremy Pelt, and more! The series runs through Sunday 4/29/12 with sets at 7:30pm and 9:30pm with an extra set at 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday.
Revivalist | Friday Round Up!
Hello All! It’s time for the Friday Round Up! This week marked the 1 year anniversary of the Revivalist! We celebrated with an interview with the Miles Davis Estate and some great new content for our Brazilian jazz issue. Check it out below!
Wayne Shorter ft. Milton Nascimento Native Dancer
this is one of the most important works of the Brazilian/jazz music exchange. It has influenced many in both fields and deserves credit for that alone. And while I am quick to recognize this project for its stellar music, it is important to place it in the proper framework, particularly for those who may attempt to pigeonhole its importance. Despite the reproach of his peers, Shorter helmed a project that was tailor made for widespread consumption. Some might say that the music is watered down; moving towards the shallowness of pop music. There is an undeniable accessibility in the music, yes. The melodies are quite palpable, even for the casual listener of jazz. But, this does not take away from the album’s credibility.
Evolution of the Instrument: Saxophone (Part 2 – Tenor & Baritone)
This week we take a look at the evolution of the low end of the saxes, the baritone and tenors. These players have defined recordings, performances, sounds, and styles with their rhythmic sensibilities, tonal innovations, and harmonic compositions. Take a look as we go down the line.
Evolution of the Instrument: Saxophone (Part 1 – Alto & Soprano)
When John Coltrane’s blistering soprano sax led in on “My Favorite Things,” audiences were captured by Coltrane’s investigations into modal jazz and his complex re-workings of harmonies. More fascinating still, is that Coltrane chose to leave bop behind and explore this new musical territory- seen in hindsight as a pivotal turning point in the history of jazz – on an instrument that had almost become obsolete in jazz, the soprano sax. Seemingly out of nowhere, the soprano sax returned to center stage once again and proudly claimed its unique position in the story, tone and texture of jazz. Although Coltrane is one of the most famous players in jazz’s history and the history of the saxophone, there are countless more who made waves in different ways on both the alto and soprano. For this week’s Evolution of An Instrument we take you from Sidney Bechet, arguably the first jazz saophonist, through the beautiful alto tones of Lee Konitz, and up to the Carnatic intensities of Rudresh Mahanthappa. We talked with countless musicians to bring you a comprehensive list that reflects the scope of jazz history. We hope you enjoy this segment and stay tuned for Tenor and Bari next week!
Berklee Global Jazz Summit Led by Danilo Perez is Here
Berklee College of Music in Boston is hosting a 3 day long Global Jazz Summit for Humanity and Peace, lead Artistic Director Danilo Perez, who has been mobilizing the music community towards social change for decades now. The special honored guest of the festival will be Wayne Shorter. In addition to concerts, clinics will be given, and other interdisciplinary educational programming will be held.
“Jazz is Alive”
Pop music is all about albums and touring around those albums. In jazz, it’s all about live music. Greeenlee takes the Wayne Shorter Quartet as his example of a group that hasn’t released an album in six years, yet also does not have any plans to in the immediate future. Yet, the album is way less important for Shorter. Instead the magic happens live.
Drummer Lenny White recalls the Legendary Jam that was Bitches Brew
As the Miles Davis estate celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew, I had a conversation with drummer Lenny White and attempted to pick his brain about his experiences in making this album. As goes with many of the interviews I’ve done in the past, this lead to some interesting dialogue about some of the stories behind the album as well as White’s thoughts on music’s influence on culture, as seen in jazz during the Bitches Brew period, as well as hip-hop today.
