Apr 22, 2026 2:12 PM
North Sea Jazz Fest: 50 Years of Timeless Joy
This July, North Sea Jazz — officially known as NN North Sea Jazz Festival — joins the elite club of jazz festivals…
“The goal was never just scale, but density: to offer a complete, panoramic overview of jazz and related art forms in a single weekend,” says Irene Peters, North Sea’s director.
Apr 22, 2026 2:12 PM
This July, North Sea Jazz — officially known as NN North Sea Jazz Festival — joins the elite club of jazz festivals…
Frank Malfitano, right, with B.B. King in 2014.
Apr 22, 2026 2:04 PM
With Frank Malfitano, founder of the Syracuse Jazz Festival, conversations don’t go in straight lines. They twist and…
Daniel Atkinson, left, founder of the San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival, and Julián Plascencia, his fest partner in Tijuana.
Apr 22, 2026 2:00 PM
When “international” is used in the name of a jazz festival, it’s typically to indicate the geographic origins of…
Trombone Shorty draws a huge crowd at last year’s Rochester International Jazz Festival.
Apr 22, 2026 12:01 PM
In preparation for this year’s jazz festival season, DownBeat brings you a detailed preview of the best fests…
The latest incarnation of Mammal Hands features, from left, Jordan Smart, Nick Smart and Rob Turner.
Apr 21, 2026 12:41 PM
After a decade of touring and five albums into their career, British trio Mammal Hands reached a recent crossroads.…
“Music is something to share and I have always felt that you cannot sit and wait for things to happen,” says Amalie Dahl.
Apr 21, 2026 12:31 PM
Live At Moldejazz (Sonic Transmissions), the impressive, assured and heady debut album from Danish reedist and composer…
Björn Meyer’s Convergence
Apr 21, 2026 12:05 PM
Swedish bassist Bjørn Meyer releases his second solo LP, Convergence (ECM; ★★★ 37:58), certainly not sounding…
“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.…
Apr 14, 2026 12:36 PM
Saturday, April 18, is Record Store Day, that annual beloved holiday for everything vinyl! In preparation, DownBeat has…
In honor of its 70th, Verve is releasing music by the legends, including Archie Shepp, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald.
Apr 14, 2026 11:45 AM
With a catalog that boasts recordings by everyone from Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz to Diana Krall and Jon Batiste,…
