May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Dies at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Julian Lage (left) and Don Was
(Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Records)This week’s streaming highlights feature Julian Lage in conversation with Don Was, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic gala, the kickoff of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival and Ramsey Lewis playing songs from Black Orpheus and more. As always, a fee is associated with some of the material listed, and some items have been sourced from WBGO, WDCB and WWOZ. Please support jazz radio. DB
Available now: First Look with Julian Lage and Don Was
Available now: CSO Sessions Episode 21: Nicole Mitchell and Wadada Leo Smith. Available through July 9. (Chicago)
June 22: Jazz: The Asian American Connection
June 23: Clovis Nicolas Quartet at Bar Bayeux (Brooklyn)
June 23: Gustavo Cortinas & Desafio Candente at Fulton Street Collective (Chicago)
June 23: JFA All-Star Jazz Ensemble at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
June 24: Duchess! at the Jazz Forum (New York)
June 24: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic “Think Big” Gala
June 24: Brent Birckhead Quartet at An Die Musik (Baltimore)
June 24: Marques Carroll’s Trumpet Summit at Fulton Street Collective (Chicago)
June 24: Alyssa Allgood at Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago)
June 25–July 4: TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 25: Eli Winter at Constellation (Chicago)
June 25: Quarantunes: Down On Their Luck Orchestra at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
June 26: Ramsey Lewis, Songs From Black Orpheus And Other Movies
June 26: The Trio Waz at Constellation (Chicago)
June 27: Third Coast Percussion at Constellation (Chicago)
June 27: John Lamkin Favorites Quintet at An Die Musik (Baltimore)
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…
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…
“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…
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…
