Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Theo Croker’s Dream … Manifested!
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
A celebration is scheduled May 19 in Hartford, Conn., when the city will
dedicate Woodland Street between Albany Avenue and Greenfield Street as
“Jackie McLean’s Way.”
The City of Hartford and the Artists Collective will host an outdoor celebration at the corner of Albany Avenue and Woodland Street, featuring performances by the Jackie McLean/Rene McLean Dynasty Band with Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Alan Palmer, Eric McPherson and Asante Okeyerema. Other performances include the Lincoln Financial Jackie McLean Youth Jazz Orchestra directed by Rene McLean, The Hartt School Jazz Orchestra and the Artists Collective Repertory Dance Ensemble.
The street dedication coincides with McLean’s 76th birthday on May 17. The dedication ceremony will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the music performance portion of the event will take place in the Artists Collective Theater.
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
“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…
