To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.

“We’re not just putting things out because we have to — it’s all music that we really enjoy listening to and people we really enjoy working with,” says Out of Your Head’s Scott Clark, left, with label partner Adam Hopkins.

Bernhard he has chops to burn, but the quality of his writing indicates a fully rounded musician.

“This is what I want to hear in guitar playing,” Anthony Wilson said of Ben Monder. “This is why we’re out here. It’s the reason of doing the whole thing. I bow down.”

“Forty years into this career, I have come back to myself, and I feel the same joy I did the first time I opened that sax case every time I play,” says Jesse Davis.

“Kabir loves helping people create projects,” says composer Ted Nash.

The 20-piece ensemble Fanfare Pourpour, which began life as a guerilla street band in Montreal in the ’70s, performs at this year’s FIMAV.

Onstage, Rollins would move about restlessly, thrusting his tenor sax in the air as he blew.

How best to mark Miles Davis’ centennial? By allowing the stories to flow, and cross-discussions to happen.

​“The elders are very serious about making sure that the tradition of the music stays alive,” said Jordan Williams.