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…
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the musical heritage of Latin jazz with the dedication of the Latin Jazz commemorative stamp. Attendees to the stamp’s dedication ceremony, which took place Monday at the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., included Postal Service vice president of Government Relations and Public Policy Marie Therese Dominguez, 2008 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Candido Camero and Daniel Sheehy, acting director of the Latino Center at the Smithsonian.
The Latin Jazz stamp features a bold, graphic design by San Francisco-based artist and Latin jazz fan Michael Bartalos. Eager to capture the upbeat, energetic and romantic spirit that characterizes much of Latin jazz, Bartalos created a tropical evening scene that depicts three musicians playing bass, piano and conga drums and conveys the multicultural aspects of the music, its percussive and improvisational nature and its rhythmic complexity.
MP3 downloads of Camero’s performance at the ceremony will be available on the U.S. Postal Service web site.
More info: usps.com/news
“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.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
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.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
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.”
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.…
Bollani demonstrates at the piano during a live Blindfold Test in Umbria, Italy, while writer Ashley Kahn, right, and translator Greg Burk look on.
Mar 24, 2026 11:42 AM
Raconteur, bon vivant and popular television host Stefano Bollani is also one of Italy’s best-known pianists, a rare…