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…
Payton plans to revisit and re-orchestrate his first symphonic work with the goal of reorganizing it to reflect who he is today.
(Photo: Courtesy of South Arts)Nicholas Payton has been awarded a major grant from South Arts to record The Black American Symphony, which he wrote 10 years ago.
Through the project, the Grammy-winning trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and composer will revisit and re-orchestrate his first symphonic work with the goal of reorganizing it to reflect who he is today. It will be recorded at Sear Sound studio in New York. The announcement marks a milestone in Payton’s career, as he continues to push the boundaries of Black American Music.
Following South Arts’ open call for applications in early 2023, more than 220 applications were reviewed by a panel of specialists in the music field on the criteria of artistic excellence, project narrative, residency outcomes, capacity and more. The panel reflected diverse racial, ethnic, gender and geographic representation as well as range of aesthetic points of view. Artists who applied were able to define their projects based on their own career’s needs and request up to $40,000 to support projects occurring between July 2023 and June 2024.
Since its establishment in 1975, South Arts has been dedicated to supporting the arts and cultural ecosystem of its nine-state region, which covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For more information on the Jazz Road Creative Residency program or South Arts’ other programs, visit southarts.org.
Upcoming performances by the Nicholas Payton Band include shows at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival on Sept. 19, San Francisco’s Black Cat Jazz Supper Club on Oct. 12–14, Gold Diggers in Los Angeles on Oct. 16 and New York’s Smoke Jazz Club on Nov. 16–19. DB
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.
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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.
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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.
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Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli with Tony Bennett at their wedding reception in 1998.
Aug 4, 2026 12:32 PM
Well, what can be said about Tony Bennett that you don’t already know? As I type this, I’m listening to Tony…
