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…
Winners of the 2008 Hans Koller Preis were announced last week in Vienna. The prize, an initiative to support jazz musicians, is sponsored by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture, the City of Vienna, Bank Austria/UniCredit Group the SKE-Fonds and the Austrian Music Office.
Drummer Han Bennink of the Netherlands was awarded the 2008 European Jazz Prize for his explorations with wood and wind instruments, as well as collaborations with other musicians and as part of the group Clusone 3. Additional awards included the Austrian State Prize for Improvised Music (Fritz Pauer, piano), Newcomer of the Year (Viola Falb, saxophone), CD of the Year (Martin Reiter, ALMA, material records), Sideman of the Year (Martin Spitzer, guitar) and the New York City Scholarship, awarded to saxophonists Barbara Paierl and Fabian Rucker.
Prizes will be awarded on Nov. 28 at Porgy & Bess in Vienna. A concert of the prize winners will take place on Nov. 29.
More info: hanskollerpreis.at
“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…
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…
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.…
“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.…
Bollani demonstrates at the piano during a live Blindfold Test in Umbria, Italy, while writer Ashley Kahn, right, and translator Greg Burk look on.
Mar 24, 2026 11:42 AM
Raconteur, bon vivant and popular television host Stefano Bollani is also one of Italy’s best-known pianists, a rare…
