Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Jazz vocalist Allan Harris, who has recorded six jazz albums to date including The Music Of Duke Ellington, has recently completed the first 10 songs of his musical trilogy entitled Cross That River. The album features songs written by Harris that reflect on life as a slave, as well as songs that tell of joyful expressions of freedom and compassion. Through these songs listeners encounter a group of free African American characters during the 1850s.
Harris combines jazz and country, both genres that have greatly influenced him and his music, to create a musical work that attempts to answer questions about the African American experience in this country. In response to what the artist calls the “negative portrayal of our culture in America’s history,” Harris writes music that he hopes will be “a source of pride for all Americans.”
Cross That River will be available in February 2006 through ArtistShare, which allows artists to connect with their fan base during the artistic process. Harris has debuted the title song from the collection during “Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall” and will debut the complete work at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in March as part of Country Music Week.
For more information, go to www.allanharris.com.
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
“These days, with curated news, where people only get half the story, people can’t even speak to family members anymore,” Schneider laments.
Mar 10, 2026 1:43 PM
Maria Schneider is doing her part to try to fix what ails America. Which got her thinking about crows, specifically,…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
