Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
In Memoriam: Cassandra Wilson, 1955–2026
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), along with the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE), has commissioned two new compositions to honor the life and work of Frank Foster.
This is the 11th year ASCAP and IAJE have selected composers—one an established composer, the other an emerging composer—to create works celebrating a jazz legend. The organizations awarded cash prizes to composer and jazz trumpeter Tim Hagans, this year’s winner in the former category, and composer Ayn Inserto, this year’s winner in the latter category.
Their pieces will receive their premiere performances at the January 2008 IAJE Conference in Toronto.
Frank Foster is a composer, saxophonist and bandleader, best known for his work as an arranger and leader with the Count Basie Big Band. He joins a list of ASCAP/IAJE honorees that includes Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.
For more information, see ascap.com.
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Bertoncini was a specialist and advocate for the nylon-string acoustic guitar, turning down high-profile opportunities that were unsuited to the sound and techniques that he used with that instrument.
Sep 1, 2026 11:06 AM
Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26.
Sep 22, 2026 12:26 PM
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half…
“It was just that suddenly … I could hear it,” Ravi Coltrane said of an epiphany he experienced during his late teens regarding his father’s music. “And it was almost like a calling, like something saying, ‘Hey, man, come on. It’s time to get serious.’ And the first time you really tune in and dial in and focus like that, it can be very life-changing.”
Sep 22, 2026 1:39 PM
Editor’s Note: Tomorrow, Sept. 23, is the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane’s birth. In honor of the tenor and…
