Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
Kandace Springs Sings Billie Holiday
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
Larry Willis (1942–2019)
(Photo: larrywillisjazz.com)Wills persevered through the rest of the decade, but his third album, My Funny Valentine (Jazz City) wasn’t released until 1988. It was his tenure with trumpeter and conguero Jerry González’s groundbreaking Latin jazz ensemble, Fort Apache Band, that really helped rejuvenate Willis’ career. The keyboardist made his debut with the combo on the 1993 disc Earth Dance (Sunnyside) and would go on to record an additional four discs with the troupe.
“Larry brought an energetic approach to the music each and every time,” said saxophonist Joe Ford, who was also a longtime member of the Fort Apache Band. “Nobody in Latin music comped on the piano like Larry. He was a lot more rhythmic, because he was locked in that rhythm section with drummer Steve Berrios, bassist Andy Gonzalez, and Jerry on congas.”
In the early-1990s, Willis also developed a fruitful relationship with MapleShade as a solo artist and recorded some splendid avant-garde duet discs with the likes of baritone saxophonist Hamiett Bluiett and drummer Paul Murphy; Willis also became the label’s de facto music director and producer. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove then recruited Willis for his 1995 disc, Family, and 2000’s ballad-heavy Moment To Moment. The 2000s found the keyboardist migrating to the HighNote imprint for a string of records as well. And in 2012, he received Howard University’s Benny Golson Jazz Master Award.
Toward the end of his life, Willis settled in Baltimore, where he continued playing with jazz musicians who spanned multiple generations.
“Mentorship is the best thing that describes him,” said Wolf. “He was all about playing with the younger generation and giving them a chance to succeed in this music. In Baltimore, there’s a lot of young musicians who need guidance. To have a legend like Larry living in the heart of the city was such a huge, positive thing. You could learn a lot just being around someone like him.” DB
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…
“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
Jul 8, 2025 7:30 AM
At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally…