Aug 27, 2024 12:09 PM
Remembering Russell Malone, 1963-2024
Guitarist and bandleader Russell Malone died Aug. 23, while on tour in Japan, after battling end-stage kidney failure.…
On October 14, Sanctuary Records released The Illustrated Band, the second studio album from Phish keyboardist Page McConnell’s organ trio, Vida Blue. The Spam Allstars joins the group on the album.
McConnell befriended the Afro-Cuban sextet in Miami last March, sitting in with them at a few local shows. The collaborations sounded good enough to record.
McConnell, with bassist Oteil Burbridge and drummer Russell Batiste, went into the studio last April with the Latin Grammy-nominated Allstars—turntablist DJ Le Spam, timbalist Tomas Diaz, saxophonist AJ Hill, flutist Mercedes Abal, trombonist John Speck and percussionist Lazaro Alfonso.
The sessions went well according to McConnell. “Russell really got off on the Cuban rhythms, and Oteil’s playing some great stuff on this album as well,” he said. “We’d just finished our tour when we went into record, and Russell and Oteil were playing really well together. It was storming.”
The Illustrated Band has four tracks, two of which are more than 20 minutes, combining improvised Afro-Cuban rhythms with turntables and samples. A U.S. tour with both groups is currently in the works.
For more information, visit www.vidablue.net
In addition to his instrumental prowess, Malone was praised for his musical generosity and his singular sense of humor.
Aug 27, 2024 12:09 PM
Guitarist and bandleader Russell Malone died Aug. 23, while on tour in Japan, after battling end-stage kidney failure.…
Benny Golson soaks in the music during a late-career performance at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase.
Sep 24, 2024 12:02 PM
Benny Golson, one of the greatest composers and saxophonists of the bebop era, passed away Saturday, Sept. 21, at his…
Harpist Brandee Younger is among the performers on the program for this year’s Hyde Park Jazz Fest in Chicago.
Sep 17, 2024 11:40 AM
The 18th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival will be held on 13 unique stages across Chicago’s Hyde Park, Kenwood and…
“I don’t focus on the harshness of the music business,” Lloyd says. “I focus on the profundity of what we’re doing because that’s the real stuff. You can change the world with that.”
Sep 4, 2024 1:29 PM
“To get this honor at this late stage, I suppose I’m blessed. I just know that this is a sacred song, and I’m in…
Hancock has a new project on the horizon but says he will not put it out until he’s ready.
Sep 10, 2024 12:25 PM
On April 12 of this year, Herbie Hancock turned 84. How many people do you know in their 80s who are still working full…
