April 2017

Volume 84 Number 4

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Cover

Jon Batiste

Reservoir of Positivity

By Allen Morrison

A graduate of The Juilliard School, pianist Jon Batiste has become one of the most beloved musicians on TV, thanks to his role as the music director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Features

Trio 3
Survival Syndrome
By Ted Panken

Alto saxophonist Oliver Lake, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Andrew Cyrille have recorded a new studio album for Intakt. DownBeat sat in on a recording session and gathered the three musicians together for a fascinating conversation.
Otis Taylor
Triumph is the Key
By Jeff Johnson

The acclaimed blues guitarist and vocalist tackles social issues on his new album, Fantasizing About Being Black.
Akua Dixon
Playing with Power
By Dan Ouellette

The trailblazing jazz cellist has a new album featuring bassist Ron Carter and guitarist Russell Malone.

Blindfold Test

Catherine Russell

Macy Gray: “Nothing Else Matters” from Stripped (Chesky)
Duchess: “Laughing At Life” from Laughing At Life (Anzic)
Andy Bey: “Worried Life Blues” from Pages From An Imaginary Life (HighNote)
Jane Monheit: “I Wad Doing All Right/Know You Know” from The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald (Emerald City Records)
Herbie Hancock: “Tea Leaf Prophecy ” from River: The Joni Letters (Verve)
Branford Marsalis Quartet feat. Kurt elling: “Blue Gardenia” from Upward Spiral (OKeh)
Gregory Porter: “The French-African Queen” from Take Me To The Alley (Blue Note)
Cécile McLorin Salvant: “Wives And Lovers” from For One To Love (Mack Avenue)