Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
In Memoriam: Cassandra Wilson, 1955–2026
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Jack DeJohnette’s 2016 solo piano album, Return, is a vinyl-only release offered by Newvelle Records. (Photo: © William Semeraro)
(Photo: )DownBeat has announced that it will introduce a new column titled Vinyl. This column, which will debut in the August issue, will focus on vinyl records—a segment of the music industry that has shown remarkable growth over the past few years.
The Vinyl column will appear every other month, alternating with DownBeat’s popular European Scene column.
“We’re going to recruit a rotating cast of the best journalists in the jazz world to write the column,” said Bobby Reed, editor of DownBeat. “The Vinyl column will include reviews, news stories and interviews with world-class jazz artists who are releasing their new music on LP. We’ll also spotlight vinyl releases by blues and Beyond artists.”
The growing popularity of vinyl releases and the global interest in Record Store Day makes this a perfect time for DownBeat to launch this column. The column will provide deep insight on all things vinyl-related, from archival recordings to limited-edition collectibles to new projects that are being released in both digital and vinyl formats.
According to Nielsen Entertainment, the resurgence of the LP has been dramatic, with 10 straight years of growth. Last year, vinyl sales hit 12 million units, a 30 percent increase over the prior year.
To read DownBeat’s guide to shopping on Record Store Day (April 16), click here.
To read about Newvelle Records, a vinyl-subscription service that is offering new music by Jack DeJohnette, Frank Kimbrough, Noah Preminger, Don Friedman, Ben Allison and Leo Genovese, click here.
To subscribe to DownBeat, click here.
—Bobby Reed
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Bertoncini was a specialist and advocate for the nylon-string acoustic guitar, turning down high-profile opportunities that were unsuited to the sound and techniques that he used with that instrument.
Sep 1, 2026 11:06 AM
Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26.
Sep 22, 2026 12:26 PM
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half…
“It was just that suddenly … I could hear it,” Ravi Coltrane said of an epiphany he experienced during his late teens regarding his father’s music. “And it was almost like a calling, like something saying, ‘Hey, man, come on. It’s time to get serious.’ And the first time you really tune in and dial in and focus like that, it can be very life-changing.”
Sep 22, 2026 1:39 PM
Editor’s Note: Tomorrow, Sept. 23, is the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane’s birth. In honor of the tenor and…
Camille Thurman took to the stage alongside bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Tommy Campbell for a rendition of Johnny Mercer’s “I’m An Old Cowhand” that recalled Rollins’ epochal 1957 trio outing Way Out West.
Oct 6, 2026 1:33 PM
As emcee Mark Ruffin noted at the commencement of an epic tribute to saxophonist Sonny Rollins at the Cathedral of…
