Dec 16, 2025 1:30 PM
Kuumbwa Celebrates at 50
When reflecting on Kuumbwa Jazz’s mighty legacy during its golden anniversary year, consider its office equipment.
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The Kuumbwa leadership team, from left, Chanel Enriquez, Tim Jackson and Bennett Jackson.
Dec 16, 2025 1:30 PM
When reflecting on Kuumbwa Jazz’s mighty legacy during its golden anniversary year, consider its office equipment.
…
“I have a small label, I’d like to make some music with you,” is how producer/DJ Sonny Daze introduced himself to saxophonist Isaiah Collier. Cosmic Transitions, their first project together on Daze’s Division 81 Records, was a hit.
Dec 16, 2025 1:09 PM
Sonny Daze dubbed Division 81 after a thoroughfare in his home town of Chicago. His favorite record shop, Dusty Groove,…
Dec 11, 2025 1:21 PM
Throughout 2025, DownBeat published seven 5-star reviews for new records that were deemed masterpieces by our critics.…
Dec 11, 2025 12:31 PM
DownBeat published five historical reviews this year that were deemed 5-star masterpieces by our critics — three in…
Dec 11, 2025 11:00 AM
DownBeat presents a complete list of the 4-, 4½- and 5-star albums from 2025 in one convenient package. It’s a great…
Goodwin was one of the most acclaimed, successful and influential jazz musicians of his generation.
Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Craig Taborn (left), Nels Cline and Marcus Gilmore turn a producer’s pet project into a jam for the ages.
Dec 9, 2025 12:16 PM
The art of the trio is a sturdy yet intimate, changeable and sometimes fragile phenomenon. Triangular geometry has its…
Lee Ritenour, right, with journalist Ashley Kahn, center, and pianist Greg Burk, who translated for the Italian audience.
Dec 9, 2025 12:04 PM
Genial and relaxed at 73, guitarist Lee Ritenour took time while on tour in Europe this summer to participate in his…
Kate Kortum, winner of the 14th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
Dec 9, 2025 11:57 AM
Kate Kortum was named the winner of the 14th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition on Nov. 23.…
Tenors In Chaos will be among the artists performing at the inaugural Winter Jazzfest Tokyo on Feb. 7.
Dec 9, 2025 11:28 AM
New York’s Winter Jazzfest will be coming to Tokyo in the winter of 2026.
Founded in 2005 in Manhattan with the…
