Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
A Love Supreme at 60: Thoughts on Coltrane’s Masterwork
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
Aerophonic Records has set up a GoFundMe to support Williams, who’s being treated for ampullary cancer.
(Photo: Aerophonic Records)Aerophonic Records has set up a GoFundMe campaign for saxophonist Mars Williams, a prolific artist in the creative music community who was recently diagnosed with a rare disease known as ampullary cancer in which a tumor develops near the bile duct and pancreas. He underwent major surgery in January, followed by a three-week hospital stay to recuperate. In March, Williams began a six-month course of chemotherapy.
“Extensive medical bills, high drug costs and at least nine months of being unable to work are all taking a severe toll,” Aerophonic Records founder Dave Rempis said in an announcement emailed to music media outlets. “While he does have insurance, that only covers a portion of the monumental expenses. And like most lifelong working musicians, he doesn’t have the savings to see himself through a crisis of this magnitude. Despite these challenges, his attitude is totally upbeat, and he’s tackling this like everything else in his life — head on. But he needs our support to make it through … as he works hard to get back onstage where he belongs.”
Williams’ influence radiates outward from his home base in Chicago to every corner of the globe. As a Grammy-nominated instrumentalist, composer and bandleader, he’s fronted too many ensembles to count, ranging from his longstanding working band Liquid Soul, Witches and Devils, NRG Ensemble, Extraordinary Popular Delusions, An Ayler Xmas, XmarsX and Boneshaker. In the rock world, Williams is celebrated for his decades of recording and touring with The Psychedelic Furs, as well as stints with The Waitresses, Ministry, Power Station, Billy Idol, Die Warzau, Jerry Garcia, Billy Squire and others.
To contribute to the GoFundMe for Williams, click here. DB
“This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.
Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
The Blue Note Jazz Festival New York kicks off May 27 with a James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall.
Apr 8, 2025 1:23 PM
Blue Note Entertainment Group has unveiled the lineup for the 14th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival New York, featuring…
“I’m certainly influenced by Geri Allen,” said Iverson, during a live Blindfold Test at the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival.
Apr 15, 2025 11:44 AM
Between last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Ethan Iverson performed as part of the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival in…
“At the end of the day, once you’ve run out of differences, we’re left with similarities,” Collier says. “Cultural differences are mitigated through 12 notes.”
Apr 15, 2025 11:55 AM
DownBeat has a long association with the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, the premiere…
“It kind of slows down, but it’s still kind of productive in a way, because you have something that you can be inspired by,” Andy Bey said on a 2019 episode of NPR Jazz Night in America, when he was 80. “The music is always inspiring.”
Apr 29, 2025 11:53 AM
Singer Andy Bey, who illuminated the jazz scene for five decades with a four-octave range that encompassed a bellowing…