Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Songwriters wishing to enter this year’s International Songwriting Competition only have until September 15 to send in their compositions.
Professional and amateur bands, solo artists and songwriters from all over the world are eligible to win in any of the 13 categories: Jazz, Blues, Pop/Top 40, Rock, Country, Roots/Americana, R&B/Hip-Hop, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, World, Gospel/Christian, Dance/Electronica, Lyrics Only and a special Teen category for songwriters 18 years old and younger.
The ISC offers over $100,000 in prizes and the chance to get your music heard by high-profile judges from the music industry including B.B. King, Pat Metheny, Bruce Lundvall, Guru and *NSYNC. Submissions are judged on the basis of creativity, originality, lyrics, melody and composition.
Promoting excellence in the field of songwriting, the ISC is, according to the New York Times, “thesongwriting competition to take note of.”
For more information, go to www.songwritingcompetition.com
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet will record live at New York’s Village Vanguard for ECM records on Aug. 26–27.
Jul 22, 2026 12:46 PM
One of Joe Lovano’s buzz terms is “the moment of now” and with seemingly infinite patience — despite a schedule…
“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.
Jun 16, 2026 1:27 AM
Gabrielle Cavassa is an avowed perfectionist. So when she failed to place despite becoming a finalist in the 2018 Sarah…
