Jul 17, 2025 11:51 AM
Critics Capsules
We asked our participating critics to elaborate on several of this year’s honorees in the 73rd Annual DownBeat…
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,…
“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
Jul 8, 2025 7:30 AM
At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally…
“What if we started a record label?” was the question posed by Shifting Paradigm artist and co-founder Zacc Harris.
Jul 8, 2025 7:24 AM
Artist-run labels have long played key roles in jazz history. Many, like Debut (co-founded by Charles Mingus and Max…
“I was playing under a tree one day and then for a Beatle the next day,” Robin Nolan says of his friendship with the late George Harrison.
Jul 8, 2025 7:17 AM
It was through a masterstroke of serendipity that Dutch guitarist Robin Nolan came to meet ex-Beatle George Harrison…
The Gilmore in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is broadcasting a recent concert by pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Marcus Gilmore.
Jul 8, 2025 7:09 AM
Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen, executive and artistic director of The Gilmore in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has announced the…
