Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Theo Croker’s Dream … Manifested!
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
On June 6, the Impulse record label will mark its 45th anniversary with the publication of the book The House That Trane Built: The Story Of Impulse Records (W. W. Norton & Co) by Ashley Kahn; the release of 12 Best-Of Impulse CDs (including a four-CD companion collection to the book); the national broadcast of the radio program “The House That Trane Built” (based on the book); and the kickoff of an international tour by the all-star group, McCoy Tyner Septet—An Impulse Tribute.
The Impulse Story series of single artist Best-Ofs, and the four-CD companion set The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records, the single artist series offers the best musical moments in the Impulse catalog, focusing on ten label legends John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Albert Ayler, Alice Coltrane, Gato Barbieri and Keith Jarrett. The series also features a single disc compilation culled from the box set.
The McCoy Tyner Septet – An Impulse Tribute—is a seven-man band led by Tyner, one of the label’s first contracted stars. From late spring 2006 through spring 2007, Tyner and an all-star septet will be performing over a dozen Impulse classics and features: saxophonists Dave Liebman, Donald Harrison and Eric Alexander (on selected dates), trumpeter Nicholas Payton, trombonist Steve Turre, bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Eric Gravatt, with arrangements from arranger/producer Bob Belden.
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…
