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…
The lineup for the 2002 Playboy Jazz Festival has been released, and the stars of the 24th annual festival at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl will extend far beyond Hugh Hefner and his pack of blond girlfriends.
The two-day festival begins Saturday, June 15 with a lineup that includes Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Joe Lovano in a salute to Caruso, Etta James, Marcus Miller, the Charles Mingus 80th Birthday Tribute Band, Nnenna Freelon, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with special guest Pete Fountain.
On June 16, the likes of Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove, Lee Ritenour, Keb’ Mo’, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Chris Botti and Bill Cosby’s The Cos of Good Music will perform.
The Playboy Jazz Festival is produced by George Wein and Festival Productions. Tickets to the event are currently available via mail order. An order form can be obtained by calling (310) 449-4070.
“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…
Onstage, Rollins would move about restlessly, thrusting his tenor sax in the air as he blew.
May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
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.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
“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.…
