October 2020

Volume 87, Number 10

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Cover

The Quest For Equity Now

‘How Does It Feel To Be Free?’

By Ayana Contreras

DownBeat takes an unflinching look at racism in the jazz world. Musicians Jon Batiste, Nicole Mitchell, Jason Moran and Mike Reed, as well as other industry professionals, weigh in on some of the most deeply troubling aspects of our society.

Features

Terence Blanchard
Broadening The Perspective
By Dave Cantor

At some point, jazz historians are going to need to survey the work that trumpeter and composer Blanchard has done with filmmaker Spike Lee.
Bob James
Lost & Found Trio Treasure
By Ed Enright

Ever since his first forays into improvisation in the late 1950s and early ’60s, James has considered the piano trio to be the ultimate vehicle for playing jazz.

Blindfold Test

Jeremy Pelt was tested on the following tracks for the “Blindfold Test”:

Charlie Parker: “Move” from One Night In Birdland (Columbia)
Cecil Payne: “Bird Gets The Worm” from Bird Gets The Worm (Muse)
Horace Silver Quintet: “Not Enough Mama” from Jazz Has A Sense Of Humor (Verve)
Vijay Iyer/Wadada Leo Smith: “Passages” from A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke (ECM)
Joshua Redman: “Unanimity” from Still Dreaming (Nonesuch)
Theo Croker: “Crestfallen” from Star People Nation (Sony Music Masterworks)