May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Nominations for the 45th Annual Grammy Awards were announced today, making Blue Note a very happy label. Norah Jones and her debut album, Come Away With Me, garnered eight nominations, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year (“Don’t Know Why” by Jesse Harris), Record of the Year and New Artist of the Year. It was the most nominations for any album in this year’s Grammys, which will be awarded Feb. 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Among the nominations in the jazz catergories are:
Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: Michel Camilo, Triangulo (Telarc); Dave Douglas, The Infinite (Bluebird); Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker & Roy Hargrove, Directions In Music (Verve); Wayne Shorter, Footprints Live! (Verve); McCoy Tyner, Plays John Coltrane - Live At The Village Vanguard (Impulse!)
Best Contemporary Jazz Album: Larry Carlton, Deep Into It (Warner Bros.); Pat Metheny Group, Speaking Of Now (Warner Bros.); John Scofield Band, Überjam (Verve); Yellowjackets, Mint Jam (Buzz Promotions); Joe Zawinul, Faces & Places (ESC Records).
Best Jazz Vocal Album: Patti Austin, For Ella (Playboy Jazz); Natalie Cole, Ask A Woman Who Knows (Verve); Etta Jones, Etta Jones Sings Lady Day (HighNote); Diana Krall, Live In Paris (Verve); Luciana Souza, Brazilian Duos (Sunnyside)
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo: “Naima,” Michael Brecker, soloist from Directions In Music; “Chelsea Bridge,” Pete Christlieb, soloist from: This Is The Moment; “Sunset & The Mockingbird,” Tommy Flanagan, soloist from A Great Night In Harlem; “My Ship,” Herbie Hancock, soloist from Directions In Music; “Proof,” Pat Metheny, soloist from Speaking Of Now.
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Slide Hampton And SWR Big Band, Jazz Matinee (Hänssler Classic); Dave Holland Big Band, What Goes Around (ECM); Mingus Big Band, Tonight At Noon…Three Or Four Shades Of Love (Dreyfus); Sammy Nestico, This Is The Moment (Fenwood Music); The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Can I Persuade You? (Planet Arts Recordings).
For a complete listing of all nominees, go to www.grammy.com.
Onstage, Rollins would move about restlessly, thrusting his tenor sax in the air as he blew.
May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
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…
“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.…
Dave King (left) and Reid Anderson offer insights into why The Bad Plus’ chemistry was cool, the accomplishments many and its longevity so fruitful.
May 12, 2026 11:42 AM
The scene still sticks with me. I had heard the oddball name of this new group being dropped around town, and…
Ava Preston, a 12-time DownBeat Student Music Award winner, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in jazz voice at Juilliard.
May 12, 2026 10:00 AM
Ava Preston, from Cleveland, Ohio, was named the winner of the ninth annual Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition on…
