Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”

“I’ll always keep the jazz harmonic side in my music because I could never go all the way and be a straight smooth-jazz guy,” says Warren Wolf of his groove-oriented music.

Michel Petrucciani breathes fire on 1987’s Kuumbwa.

Ryan Porter, left, with Kamasi Washington at Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival in 2024.

“I feel a little lost in our pop music world today where the art of melody has been lost,” says Steve Wilson. “Hopefully we can get that back.”

“I want to leave something for people to hear what the music is about and you can vibe with it in the car or wherever you’re at, which is awesome,” says Noah Jackson.

​When Chuck Redd canceled his Christmas Eve show on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, it led to a national media firestorm.

Music industry executive Clive Davis (right), shown here at a Grammy ceremony with Carlos Santana, championed the careers of pop stars and landmark jazz artists alike.

“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.

“I will always believe that all humans have the capacity to love unconditionally,” says bassist and activist David Ambrosio. “It’s our divine nature. We’ve just lost our way.”