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…
The sound of pianist Marilyn Crispell changed following a trip to a festival in Stockholm: “I heard them playing stuff that really, really touched me.”
(Photo: Claire Stefani)The performance is remarkably cohesive, traveling through several distinct phases, neither player ever seeming to catch the other off guard. This might be because Crispell and Sorey both are composers who improvise, and both are deeply in-tune with the creative and philosophical principles of the AACM, the drummer as a student (he wrote his master’s thesis on Mitchell) and the pianist as a peer.
“Tyshawn gives me a lot of space—in a way, a lot more space to introduce things than I’m used to,” she said, admiringly. “Often, someone will just put something down and I’ll react to it, which became a way of operating for me. And so, I suddenly felt that I was not in that kind of comfort zone anymore, that I had a different kind of responsibility for the direction of the music.”
On Wednesday, Crispell and saxophonist Joe Lovano’s Trio Tapestry, a group that made its debut earlier this year, head out on a string of European dates. Somewhere along the way, they’ll duck into the studio and make a second album.
Crispell describes the trio as “sort of a renaissance for me, to be invited to join that group and play his music that’s also challenging; a lot of stuff out of my comfort zone. But it’s all stuff that I can relate to, and I love the challenge.”
Four decades out from her Creative Music Studio days, it seems as if Crispell continues foraging for new sounds. 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.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
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.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
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…
