May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Dies at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Joy performs the track “Dekoven” on Children of Bronzeville.
(Photo: Courtesy of Savage Content)In honor of Black History Month and Samara Joy’s Grammy Awards success winning for Best New Artist and Jazz Vocal Album, the online platform Savage Content has provided a first look into its upcoming Children of Bronzeville project with one of Joy’s extraordinary performances as well as two other outstanding performances featuring Joshua Banbury and Vanisha Gould. Joy is accompanied on the track by jazz pianist Aaron Diehl.
Children of Bronzeville is a song cycle based on children’s poems by Gwendolyn Brooks, a Chicago native who was born in the Bronzeville neighborhood of the city’s South Side in 1915, and in 1950 won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry. The songs, written by jazz/classical composer Patrick Zimmerli, tell an allegorical tale blending elements of jazz, pop and classical music.
View the promotional videos by clicking on the following song titles:
• Joshua Banbury, “Dave”
• Vanisha Gould, “Rudolph Is Tired Of The City”
• Samara Joy, “Dekoven”
Children of Bronzeville is a celebration of the joy, imagination, beauty and freedom of childhood. DB
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…
“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.…
Dave King (left) and Reid Anderson offer insights into why The Bad Plus’ chemistry was cool, the accomplishments many and its longevity so fruitful.
May 12, 2026 11:42 AM
The scene still sticks with me. I had heard the oddball name of this new group being dropped around town, and…
Ava Preston, a 12-time DownBeat Student Music Award winner, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in jazz voice at Juilliard.
May 12, 2026 10:00 AM
Ava Preston, from Cleveland, Ohio, was named the winner of the ninth annual Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition on…
