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…
Allan Harris pays tribute to an esteemed vocalist on The Genius Of Eddie Jefferson (Resilience Music Alliance).
(Photo: Sandrine Lee)The Genius Of Eddie Jefferson, which is set for release April 27 on Resilience Music Alliance, finds Allan Harris wading through 10 jazz classics to pay tribute to an esteemed vocalist.
Accompanied by pianist Eric Reed, bassist George DeLancey, drummer Willie Jones III and tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore, Harris tackles classics like “Sister Sadie,” which can be streamed below.
On a tune Horace Silver issued on his 1959 Blowin’ The Blues Away that Jefferson (1918-1979) later interpreted, Harris laments the relationship Sister Sadie finds herself in. But more than Harris working through a spate of classic compositions, his grappling with Jefferson’s legacy has influenced him as a a performer.
“This feels so good, like reaching a high,” he said about recording The Genius Of Eddie Jefferson. “Doing Eddie Jefferson’s music has taken me out of the arena of being just the guy singing jazz standards in front of a smoking band, to feeling like a part of the band. It would be hard now for me to turn back.”
For more information about The Genius Of Eddie Jefferson, visit the Resilience Music Alliance website. 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.
Sep 1, 2026 11:06 AM
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…
