Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Pianist, Educator Hal Galper Dies at 87
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
It began as a one-time deal, a band thrown together by Ivan Neville to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2003. But the guitarist’s band, Dumpstaphunk, endured, and will release its debut EP on Tuesday, riding the wave that has taken the band’s funky grooves to festival stages across America over the last several years.
Listen Hear features founders Ivan Neville and Ian Neville (sons of both Aaron Neville and Art Neville respectively), along with Nick Daniels, Tony Hall, Raymond Webber and special guest Skerik. The EP marks the group’s formal transformation from popular side-project to full-time occupation.
More information on the release and the band is available at dumpstaphunk.com and myspace.com/dumpstaphunk.
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…
Jordan was a dyed-in-the-wool bebopper whose formative musical experiences were with Charlie Parker.
Aug 12, 2025 10:24 AM
Sheila Jordan, a vocalist who was celebrated for her scatting and lyric-improvising abilities, died Aug. 11 at her home…
“I don’t guess I’m going to excite you; I know I’m going to excite you,” Palmieri said in an August 1994 DownBeat feature.
Aug 12, 2025 10:33 AM
Famed Latin jazz composer, bandleader and pianist Eddie Palmieri passed away in his New Jersey home on Aug. 6. He was…
“What I got from Percy was the dignity of playing the bass,” Buster Williams said of Percy Heath.
Aug 26, 2025 1:53 PM
Buster Williams, who at the age of 83 has been on the scene for 65 years, had never done a Blindfold Test. The first…