November 2016

Volume 83, Number 11

BUY THIS ISSUE | SUBSCRIBE

Cover

Wadada Leo Smith

National Treasure

By Phillip Lutz

Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith is in an exciting, prolific phase of his storied career. His new album, America’s National Parks, is a celebration of natural landscapes.

Features

Joshua Redman & Brad Mehldau
Floating & Flying
By Josef Woodard

Saxophonist Joshua Redman and pianist Brad Mehldau have been friends since the 1990s, when the latter was in Redman’s quartet. Their new release, Nearness, is a live duo album recorded during a recent European tour.
Jerry Bergonzi
The Mystic
By Claire Daly

For his latest album, Spotlight On Standards, the master saxophonist interprets classics such as “Witchcraft” and “Come Rain Or Come Shine.” The album also includes four of Bergonzi’s original compositions.
Stacey Kent
Trust Your Heart
By Bobby Reed

Vocalist Stacey Kent has built a large, international fan base, thanks to a terrific repertoire that includes jazz standards, Brazilian classics, French songs and original material composed by saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, her bandleader and husband. DownBeat sat down for an interview with Kent and Tomlinson backstage in Montreal.

Blindfold Test

Aaron Parks

ELEW: “My Favorite Things” from And To The Republic (Sunnyside)
Joey Alexander: “Soul Dreamer” from Countdown (Motéma)
Renee Rosnes: “Lucy From Afar” from Written In The Rocks (SmokeSessions)
Edward Simon: “Volver” from Latin American Songbook (Sunnyside)
Matthew Shipp: “In A Sentimental Mood” from To Duke (RogueArt)

Also in this Issue

Fall Winter Jazz Festival Guide

This special section includes detailed listings for festivals around the world, as well as three features. (This guide, describing fests in the fall and winter months, is a companion to our Summer Festival Guide, which is published annually in our May issue.)