Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
On the heels of his new Justin Time release, Gwotet, David Murray will play limited U.S. dates with the Gwo-ka Masters, his Gwotet collaborators from Guadeloupe.
The album, released June 8, explores Creole music traditions and features Pharoah Sanders.
Unfortunately, Sanders will not be with the band for their seven cross-country dates scheduled for late June and early July.
At the Central Park Summerstage in New York City on June 20, Murray will be joined by bassist Jaribu Shahid, drummer Hamid Drake, guitarist Herve Samb, trumpeter Omar Kabir, trombonist Craig Harris, and Ka-drummers/vocalists Klod Kiavue and Francois Ladrezeau.
For the rest of the dates, there will be no horn players, and the drummer will be Benjamin Sanz.
David Murray and the Gwo-ka Masters on tour:
June 23: Philadelphia; Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz
June 25: Atlanta; Variety Playhouse
June 27: Seattle; The Triple Door
June 28–30: Oakland, Calif.; Yoshi’s
July 1: Minneapolis; Dakota Jazz Club
July 2: Chicago; the HotHouse
For more information, visit www.justin-time.com
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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…
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…
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…
