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…
Thrill Jockey, Stop Smiling and The Velvet Lounge are celebrating the release of the new album from Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake, From The River To The Ocean, over the course of two evenings in June.
The first show will be hosted June 12 by Stop Smiling magazine at its Chicago headquarters and will be moderated by artist John Corbett, who will interview the players between songs.
The second show will be at Anderson’s club, The Velvet Lounge, on June 13 in Chicago. Anderson and Drake will be joined by Harrison Bankhead, Jeff Parker and Josh Abrams, who all contributed to From The River To The Ocean.
The June 12 event is free, but Stop Smiling is requesting that guests RSVP to rsvp@stopsmilingonline.com.
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…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
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Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
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The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
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.
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Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli with Tony Bennett at their wedding reception in 1998.
Aug 4, 2026 12:32 PM
Well, what can be said about Tony Bennett that you don’t already know? As I type this, I’m listening to Tony…
