Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
74th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll: And the Winners Are …
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa Valley premieres this summer with a multi-day, multi-stage festival featuring artist-in-residence Robert Glasper. The keyboardist-bandleader’s set, to be hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle, will include performances by special guests Erykah Badu, Ledisi, D Smoke, Terrace Martin and BJ the Chicago Kid.
The festival will feature three stages hosting sets from Maxwell, Black Star, Flying Lotus, Maurice Brown featuring Anderson .Paak and many more, plus an after-party you won’t want to miss. This limited-capacity event takes place on the grounds of the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California, July 30–31. View the full line-up here. DB
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet will record live at New York’s Village Vanguard for ECM records on Aug. 26–27.
Jul 22, 2026 12:46 PM
One of Joe Lovano’s buzz terms is “the moment of now” and with seemingly infinite patience — despite a schedule…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
