Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
In Memoriam: Cassandra Wilson, 1955–2026
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Guitarist Pat Metheny (left) and bassist Ron Carter perform as a duo at Umbria Jazz in Perugia, Italy, on July 13.
(Photo: Umbria Jazz Festival/Facebook)Over the course of its 44-year history, Umbria Jazz has evolved into a true people’s festival. The charming Italian hilltop city of Perugia literally blossoms during festival time (it took place this year from July 8–17), swelling with revelers. Nightly double bills hit the Arena Santa Giuliana, a converted soccer field at the bottom of a hill near the teeming Corso Vannucci, Perugia’s main thoroughfare.
There was an assortment of rewards on the Corso, including daily and nightly free stages in the Carducci Gardens and a huge street stage at Piazza IV Novembre. Guests also had the opportunity to take in museum and restaurant performances (including several by the guitar-vocal duo Tuck & Patti) and daily matinee and midnight shows at the august opera house Teatro del Pavone.
Three consecutive—yet delightfully varied—evenings of guitar mastery served as the centerpiece of this year’s fest. Spinning tales in azure blue, Buddy Guy hooted and wailed on July 11, his fiery Stratocaster solos encouraging guitar aficionados to rush the stage. With his caramel-covered charcoal voice, the guitarist delivered masterworks from his repertoire to an appreciative crowd.
The following evening offered the imaginative billing of a new unit featuring guitarist John Scofield, pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Mark Guiliana. (Kamasi Washington’s volcanic octet also appeared on that night’s program, but it was Scofield, Mehldau and Guiliana who won the day.)
The group achieved such a smooth handoff of harmonic responsibilities that an actual bass player wasn’t missed. The role was filled admirably—and often creatively—by each member of the trio. At one point during the performance, Scofield slung his guitar over his back and plunked down a bass line on a stationary bass guitar. Meanwhile, Mehldau provided deft undergirding on his keyboard and Guiliana used his electronic accouterments to explore his own unique subterraneous sonic territory.
Mehldau’s misdirection on “It Was What It Was” and Scofield’s original “Love The Most” highlighted this performance by a trio that should record—and soon. Mehldau’s dexterous touch on several keyboards was endlessly inventive, and Guiliana was a revelation, lending adroit rhythm atmospheres to Scofield and Mehldau’s mastery.
A duo performance by guitarist Pat Metheny and Ron Carter on July 13 was simply transcendent. Kudos to the Detroit Jazz Festival for initially bringing together these two musicians, who share a similar artistic generosity. Carter, in a splendid blue suit, must have inspired Metheny to complement his usual jeans with a Carolina blue suit jacket. The pair essayed Carter’s “81” and Lalo Schifrin’s “Down Here On The Ground,” showing their mutual love for Wes Montgomery.
Elsewhere in the set, each musician took a moment in the spotlight alone. For his solo performance, Metheny coaxed lush, orchestral soundscapes from one of his custom guitars, which boasted both guitar and harp-like strings. Carter, for his turn, played an exquisite “Willow Weep For Me” with classical variations. For guitar heads, this duo performance capped off an incredible three-night Umbria run that was a sumptuous survey of the instrument.
Teatro del Pavone hosted a five-day residency of matinee performances by the Joey Alexander Trio, with Daniel Chmielinski on bass and the crafty Ulysses Owens Jr. on drums. The series afforded ample opportunity to view the palpable progress of the precocious young man who turned 13 on June 25.
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
Bertoncini was a specialist and advocate for the nylon-string acoustic guitar, turning down high-profile opportunities that were unsuited to the sound and techniques that he used with that instrument.
Sep 1, 2026 11:06 AM
Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26.
Sep 22, 2026 12:26 PM
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half…
