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…
Riding the acclaim of Ropeadope’s Philadelphia Experiment and Detroit Experiment, the label has recently put the finishing touches on its latest laboratory creation, The Harlem Experiment.
Like its predecessors, the record takes musicians from a shared hometown but very different musical backgrounds, puts them in a recording studio and has them create spontaneous art.
This installment’s representatives are guitarist Carlos Alomar, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Steve Berrios, clarinetist Don Byron, keyboardist Eddie Martinez and trumpeter/arranger Steve Bernstein. Special guests include Queen Esther on vocals; Olu Dara on vocals, guitar and pocket trumpet; James Hunter on vocals and guitar; and DJ Mums on vocals.
The album is slated for release in September. A free preview track from Ropeadope is available here.
“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…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
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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.
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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.”
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Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
Bollani demonstrates at the piano during a live Blindfold Test in Umbria, Italy, while writer Ashley Kahn, right, and translator Greg Burk look on.
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Raconteur, bon vivant and popular television host Stefano Bollani is also one of Italy’s best-known pianists, a rare…
