Jul 17, 2025 12:39 PM
Anthony Braxton: Hall of Fame
Anthony Braxton turned 80 in June, and his productivity this year alone exceeds that of some other artists’ entire…
“I feel that the discipline that we call music is an all-dynamic proposition that includes discovery, momentum and transposition,” Braxton said.
Jul 17, 2025 12:39 PM
Anthony Braxton turned 80 in June, and his productivity this year alone exceeds that of some other artists’ entire…
“Tito’s charisma, along with the rhythmic interaction and melodic interaction — everything was so fine, so exquisite,” said percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo.
Jul 17, 2025 12:36 PM
When percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo speaks about Tito Puente, he spins out a flood of examples of his mentor’s…
“I’m always searching,” said Lewis. “The work never ends.”
Jul 17, 2025 12:32 PM
James Brandon Lewis is no stranger to the DownBeat Critics Poll. In 2023, the Brooklyn-based saxophonist received the…
“No matter how complex the source is, I still ask myself a question: Does it feel good?” says Brennan.
Jul 17, 2025 12:27 PM
You could pretty much see this one coming. If you were one of Patricia Brennan’s Facebook friends, her wall posts…
Isaiah Collier, the critics’ choice for Rising Star Group of the Year, Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist of the Year and Rising Star Flutist of the Year.
Jul 17, 2025 11:51 AM
We asked our participating critics to elaborate on several of this year’s honorees in the 73rd Annual DownBeat…
Jul 17, 2025 11:35 AM
The DownBeat Critics Poll provides a wonderful snapshot of the jazz scene today, with much to explore and many great…
Joe Satriani, left, and Steve Vai are in the midst of an action-packed European tour.
Jul 15, 2025 11:41 AM
They are the offspring of Jimi Hendrix, forever changed by hearing “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Child (Slight…
Donald Harrison is among the headliners at the Quantum Leap Music Festival, to be held Aug. 14–17 on Long Island.
Jul 15, 2025 11:27 AM
It’s festival season in the world of jazz, blues and beyond. And as updates come in to DownBeat, we’ll send them…
Trumpeter-composer Peter Evans’ two-part epic for his band Being & Becoming (with vibist Joel Ross, bassist Nick Jozwick and Tyshawn Sorey) and “Voices” (featuring Sofia Jernberg, Mazz Swift and Alice Teyssler) dazzled listeners at this year’s Monheim Triennale.
Jul 15, 2025 11:10 AM
Jazz cruises have become an expanding phenom in recent years. In a fittingly radical twist on that tradition, one of…
“I want to build an organization that is reflective of the values of improvisation,” says Mark Christman, founder of Ars Nova Workshop.
Jul 15, 2025 10:44 AM
Robert Whalley moved to Philadelphia in the early 2000s with an omnivorous appetite for music. Growing up in England,…
