Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
In Memoriam: John Hammond Jr., 1942–2026
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
At a press conference this week, the Los Angeles Philharmonic announced that Herbie Hancock will succeed bassist Christian McBride as the third Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
“It is a great honor to be selected as the next Creative Chair for Jazz, and follow in the footsteps of Christian McBride, who has presented programming of incredible breadth and talent,” Hancock said. “I intend to continue this tradition and also bring to fruition new ideas and one-of-a-kind programs in two of the finest venues for live music - Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.” MO< “We are truly privileged to have such a highly-regarded musician of the caliber of Herbie Hancock to follow Christian McBride as our next Creative Chair for Jazz,” said Deborah Borda, President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. "We are thrilled to welcome him to our organization, and deeply grateful for Christian’s guidance."
McBride is excited to pass the baton to Hancock to lead the jazz programming for the L.A. Philharmonic.
“My tenure as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic has truly been one of the most rewarding of my career,” says McBride. “It was an unbelievable opportunity to present unprecedented jazz programs. Having the legendary Herbie Hancock succeed me in this position is an astounding honor and a testament to the LA Phil’s firm commitment to promoting the best that jazz has to offer.”
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater will be among the headliners at this year’s DC JazzFest.
Mar 2, 2026 9:48 PM
The first wave of artists scheduled to perform at the 2026 DC JazzFest have been announced. This year’s headliners…
Blindfold Test proctor Ted Panken, left, with the Grammy-winning Nicole Zuraitis.
Feb 24, 2026 12:00 PM
After earning the 2024 Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy for her seventh album, How Love Begins (La Reserve), comprising 12…
“These days, with curated news, where people only get half the story, people can’t even speak to family members anymore,” Schneider laments.
Mar 10, 2026 1:43 PM
Maria Schneider is doing her part to try to fix what ails America. Which got her thinking about crows, specifically,…
