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…
Charles Tolliver
(Photo: Jimmy Katz)On June 16 at 6:30 p.m. (CDT), the Strata-East All-Stars will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the artist-driven label created by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell in 1971.
Strata-East@50 will feature Tolliver, Billy Harper, George Cables, Buster Williams and a variety of special guests. The show will be streamed live via Dreamstage from the DiMenna Centre in Manhattan.
“Sadly, Stanley recently passed away, but we will be giving tribute to him as well,” Tolliver said in a fund-raising video for the event. “Strata-East was a miracle endeavor some 50 years in the making. And throughout its storied history, its primary and steadfast goal was, still is and always will be to ensure that there is an avenue by which artist-produced recordings could reach the marketplace for our devoted fans and our new fans.”
The label’s most recent reissue in 2019 was Tolliver’s Right Now…And Then, his first studio session, which he self-funded in 1968, with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Joe Chambers and Gary Bartz. The first recording actually on Strata-East, released back in 1971, was his Music Inc. with Cowell, Cecil McBee and Jimmy Hopps. In between, the label has served as a home for Tolliver’s recorded output, always with a stellar cast in support. For example, in 1975 Tolliver released Impact with an orchestra that included Charles McPherson, George Coleman, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Owens, Cecil McBee, Reggie Workman and James Spaulding.
The label has also released music by everyone from Clifford Jordan, Pharoah Sanders, The Heath Brothers and Charlie Rouse to Max Roach’s M’Boom, James Mtume’s Mtume Umoja Ensemble and James “Plunky” Branch’s Juju.
For tickets and more information to stream the event, go to dreamstage.live/event/strata-east. 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…
“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…
How best to mark Miles Davis’ centennial? By allowing the stories to flow, and cross-discussions to happen.
May 26, 2026 10:40 AM
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.
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…
