May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Trumpeter Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra will release its first disc, MTO Volume 1 (Sunnyside) on Aug. 1.
Bernstein became intrigued with the sound of 1920s territory bands while he was working on the score to the film Kansas City .
“I was wondering what would happen if you played this music live again,” Bernstein said. “Because any version of this music that we have is like a three-minute bad recording. We know what it looks like because there’s all these great pictures of guys in tuxedos holding their instruments. But it’s almost like there’s more pictures of the music than there are recorded documents of the music. I wanted to bring this music back to life.”
Along with Bernstein, the band features guitarist Matt Munisteri, violinist Charlie Burnham, trombonist Clark Cayton, clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Doug Wieselman, saxophonists Peter Apfelbaum and Eric Lawrence, bassist Ben Allison and drummer Ben Perowsky.
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…
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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.
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The scene still sticks with me. I had heard the oddball name of this new group being dropped around town, and…
How best to mark Miles Davis’ centennial? By allowing the stories to flow, and cross-discussions to happen.
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Editor’s Note: The iconic trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Davis would have turned 100 today (May 26, 2026).…
Ava Preston, a 12-time DownBeat Student Music Award winner, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in jazz voice at Juilliard.
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Ava Preston, from Cleveland, Ohio, was named the winner of the ninth annual Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition on…
