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…
Guitarist Jim Hall has released a new disc of duets with pianist Geoff Keezer, Free Association (ArtistShare). The CD is being released exclusively through Hall’s Web site, jimhallmusic.com.
Hall and Keezer have collaborated since the mid 1990s. Along with the pianist’s appearance on the guitarist’s disc, Panorama (Telarc), they have frequently performed together in New York, Europe, and Japan. Free Association includes two spontaneously improvised pieces, a Japanese ballad, and four of Hall’s original compositions.
As Hall was planning to celebrate his 75th birthday at New York’s Village Vanguard on December 4, he had high praise for his partner on the new disc.
“Keezer has an incredible sense of swing, listens well, and reacts uniquely,” Hall said. “He’s an outstanding improviser.”
The younger musician is just as enthusiastic about working with Hall.
“It’s a great process for me to go through,” Keezer said. “It makes me realize just how much more space I can actually leave and still be there, and still be making music. But not in any kind of way I’ve ever known.”
Along with Free Association (Hall’s second ArtistShare project), his Web site will include downloadable musical sketches of songs, pictures, interviews, and other recorded selections.
“ArtistShare participants can sign up long after the recording was completed and still have access to the process,” ArtistShare owner Brian Camello said. “Most ArtistShare artists continue to add content after the main work is done and Jim is no exception.”
Details: www.jimhallmusic.com
“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…
