Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
The North Texas Jazz Festival will celebrate its eighth year at a new location.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Addison, Texas, will serve as the new location for the three-day invitational featuring more than 50 big bands, combos and vocal jazz groups representing universities, community colleges, high schools and middle schools from across the United States. The event closes with a private performance by David Binney.
Wednesday’s concert includes a private performance from the Two O’Clock Lab Band. The North Texas Jazz Singers and the One O’Clock Lab Band will perform Thursday evening. Student performers selected as “outstanding” will appear on stage, along with saxophonist Binney, who will also perform on Friday night as part of the event’s finale.
Although the evening concerts are exclusive to the festival attendees, the public is invited to participate in several activities throughout the North Texas Jazz Festival. On Thursday, master classes with UNT staff will be held. On April 4, Binney will present a Question and Answer session. Throughout the entire festival, the public is invited to attend any of the school performances. Additionally, noted jazz film collector Hal Miller will be presenting rare jazz films from his personal archive.
More info: ntjazzfest.unt.edu
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.
Jun 16, 2026 1:27 AM
Gabrielle Cavassa is an avowed perfectionist. So when she failed to place despite becoming a finalist in the 2018 Sarah…
