Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
Changing of the Guard at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
On October 23, Ted Nash – having toured the world playing alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass…
Prince (1958–2016)
(Photo: Courtesy Warner. Bros.)Prince, a singer-songwriter who mixed r&b, funk, rock and jazz elements into a style all his own, has died at the age of 57. His publicist confirmed the news to the Associated Press, which sent out an announcement via Twitter. He passed away on April 21 at his Paisley Park home and studio in suburban Minneapolis.
Born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, he spent his entire career based in the Minneapolis area.
His debut album was the 1978 Warner Bros. release For You.
Prince reached the peak of his popularity with the 1984 film Purple Rain and the soundtrack of the same name. The album won a Grammy in the category Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. The soundtrack score also earned Prince an Oscar.
A very prolific artist, Prince released albums frequently over the past 20 years, including 39 studio discs.
Famous for being a studio wizard who could play multiple instruments, Prince explored the artistic freedom that came along with being able to record whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, in his extensive Paisley Park studio.
During past two years, his albums included Art Official Age, HitnRun Phase One and HitnRun Phase Two.
Neil Portnow, the president and CEO of The Recording Academy, issued the following statement: “Our GRAMMY family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of seven-time GRAMMY Award winner Prince. Today, we remember and celebrate him as one of the most uniquely gifted artists of all time. Never one to conform, he redefined and forever changed our musical landscape. Prince was an original who influenced so many, and his legacy will live on forever. We have lost a true innovator and our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, collaborators and all who have been impacted by his incredible work.”
Prince was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. To visit his biography page at the museum’s website, click here.
As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.
Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
On October 23, Ted Nash – having toured the world playing alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass…
Larry Appelbaum with Wayne Shorter in 2012.
Feb 25, 2025 10:49 AM
Larry Appelbaum, a distinguished audio engineer, jazz journalist, historian and broadcaster, died Feb. 21, 2025, in…
“This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.
Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
The Blue Note Jazz Festival New York kicks off May 27 with a James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall.
Apr 8, 2025 1:23 PM
Blue Note Entertainment Group has unveiled the lineup for the 14th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival New York, featuring…
“You’ve got to trust that inner child, keep exploring, even though people think it’s wrong,” says Fortner.
Feb 25, 2025 11:20 AM
Every week at the Village Vanguard fosters its own sound. No one really knows how the music might evolve by Sunday, but…