Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
On May 7, Rounder Records will releaseCorey Harris’ fourth studio album, Downhome Sophisticate. Recorded in Charlottesville, Va., and co-produced by Harris and frequent collaborator Jamal Millner, Downhome Sophisticate marks the blues-influenced singer/songwriter’s Rounder Records debut and first studio recording since 2000’s collaboration with pianist Henry Butler, Vü-Dü Menz.
Drawing on a diverse range of traditional music—from African guitar styles, sounds of the Caribbean, and country blues of the American South—Downhome Sophisticate explores a unique and refreshingly modern approach to roots-based music. Backing Harris on the album is his longtime band - The 5x5 (Vic Brown - bass, Johnny Gilmore - drums, Jamal Millner - vocals, guitar, mandolin).
Harris will also be featured in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming six-part PBS mini series, “The Blues.” Set to air in the winter of 2003, each episode of “The Blues” will be directed by acclaimed filmmakers such as Charles Burnett, Marc Levin, and Wim Wenders (Scorsese himself directs Corey’s episode; the first installment of the series).
For more information, go to www.coreyharrismusic.com.
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
“These days, with curated news, where people only get half the story, people can’t even speak to family members anymore,” Schneider laments.
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Maria Schneider is doing her part to try to fix what ails America. Which got her thinking about crows, specifically,…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
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Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
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There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
