Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
In Memoriam: Gordon Goodwin, 1954–2025
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Singer Koko Taylor, known worldwide as the queen of Chicago blues, died on Wednesday of gastrointestinal bleeding. She was 80.
Taylor, who was born in Tennessee, was singing since childhood and took her love of music to Chicago, when she made the city her home in 1952. She sang in Chicago’s then-thriving blues clubs and her aggressive growl caught the attention of Willie Dixon, who brought her to Chess Records. At Chess, she recorded her 1965 hit and life-time signature song, “Wang Dang Doodle.”
Even though rock-influenced flashy guitarists dominated much of the blues business in the 1970s and ‘80s, Taylor had a supportive musical home with Chicago’s Alligator Records, which signed her in 1977. She relentlessly toured blues festivals, clubs and theaters worldwide in the decades that followed. Her last album, Old School was released on the label in 2007.
“My career is much better now than it was 20 years ago,” Taylor told DownBeat shortly after recording Old School . “I’m doing a wonderful job to be my age, but I’m not a youngster. I don’t have the energy today that I had 10 years ago, but I’m not about to give up.”
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.…
Flea has returned to his first instrument — the trumpet — and assembled a dream band of jazz musicians to record a new album.
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After a nearly five-decade career as one of his generation’s defining rock bassists, Flea has returned to his first…
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to interpret the music of Oscar Peterson in his native city,” said Jim Doxas in regard to celebrating the Canadian legend. “He traveled the world, but never forgot Montreal.”
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In the pantheon of jazz luminaries, few shine as brightly, or swing as hard, as Oscar Peterson. A century ago, a…
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…
Seth MacFarlane takes a turn from his television and film career to sing arrangements made for Frank Sinatra, but never recorded.
Nov 18, 2025 12:04 PM
“I’m not gonna lie to you — I don’t know why I thought this was about The Naked Gun, but I’m happy it’s…
