Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
The Essence of Emily
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
Billy Childs will release a new album for Mack Avenue Records on March 24.
(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)Mack Avenue Records has announced the addition of three major artists to its roster: keyboardist Cameron Graves, organist Joey DeFrancesco and composer/pianist Billy Childs, each of whom is scheduled to release an album in early 2017.
Graves—West Coast Get Down founding member and frequent Kamasi Washington collaborator—will launch his anticipated debut album, Planetary Prince, with Mack Avenue Records on Feb. 24. The album, an expansion of a four-song EP, features numerous West Coast Get Down regulars, including saxophonist Washington, trumpeter Philip Dizack, trombonist Ryan Porter, bassist Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner, bassist Hadrien Feraud and drummer Ronald Bruner, Jr.
Organist Joey DeFrancesco, who also plays trumpet and sings, will debut his first-ever quartet, Joey DeFrancesco & The People, with the release of Project Freedom on March 10. The new ensemble features guitarist Dan Wilson, saxophonist Troy Roberts and drummer Jason Brown. A tour in support of the album is planned.
Four-time Grammy Award winner Billy Childs returns to his jazz roots with the March 24 release of Rebirth. Joined by saxophonist Steve Wilson, bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Eric Harland—along with guests such as vocalists Alicia Olatuja and Claudia Acuna, trombonist Ido Meshulam and percussionist Rogerio Boccato—the album serves as a career retrospective and marks the 40th anniversary of Childs’ recording debut with trombone legend J.J. Johnson.
In April 2016 Mack Avenue Records acquired the St. Louis-based jazz imprint MAXJAZZ, expanding its roster to include such notable musicians as Mulgrew Miller, René Marie, Russell Malone and Geoffrey Keezer. For more information on the label’s website. DB
“She said, ‘A lot of people are going to try and stop you,’” Sheryl Bailey recalls of the advice she received from jazz guitarist Emily Remler (1957–’90). “‘They’re going to say you slept with somebody, you’re a dyke, you’re this and that and the other. Don’t listen to them, and just keep playing.’”
Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.
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Larry Appelbaum with Wayne Shorter in 2012.
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Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock perform “Fly Me To The Moon” during a Grammy Awards tribute to Quincy Jones on Feb. 2.
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The jazz and blues community may not have been center stage for the majority of the 67th annual Grammy Award…
