Jan 8, 2024 10:42 PM
Fred Irby III: Hall of Fame for Jazz Education
The 2023–’24 academic year marks the 50th year that Fred Irby III taught in Howard University’s Department of…
“He knew how to administer to the needs of a beginner, and had the skill set and patience to teach somebody young,” says saxophonist Greg Osby of his first music teacher, Fred Irby III.
Jan 8, 2024 10:42 PM
The 2023–’24 academic year marks the 50th year that Fred Irby III taught in Howard University’s Department of…
“I mortgaged my house a couple of times, but it was worth it,” Muscarella says of working to establish Jazzschool and California Jazz Conservatory.
Jan 8, 2024 10:03 PM
There’s a paragraph in Susan Muscarella’s book California Jazz Conservatory: A 25-Year Retrospective that brings a…
“I really respect people who could learn this vocabulary and find a way to express it in a way that is so unique,” Nduduzo Makhathini said of the late pianist Don Pullen during his live Blindfold Test.
Jan 2, 2024 11:19 PM
Much powerful and resonant music has emanated from South Africa and, in part due to the reprehensible cultural scatter…
“No matter what you produce or do in your life, the thing you’ll be remembered for is rescuing all that Blue Note material,” Woody Shaw once said of Michael Cuscuna, and Cuscuna is fine with that.
Jan 2, 2024 11:13 PM
Once upon a time, a tiny handful of early jazz critics wrote about rare old jazz records like priests talking about the…
Calligram founders Geof Bradfield (left) and Chad McCullough are dedicated to putting out physical product.
Jan 2, 2024 11:03 PM
Texas tenorist Geof Bradfield’s playing possesses a steely grandeur and deep sophistication. He’s grown a…
Pops at home in Corona, Queens.
Dec 27, 2023 12:44 PM
On July 6, the hottest day in recorded history, a new institution devoted to the man who gave the world “hot” jazz…
Davis says, “I wouldn’t call myself a jazz musician; my music is more about crossing boundaries.” Her band Alula, from left: Chris Tordini, Davis, Tyshawn Sorey and Val Jeanty.
Dec 27, 2023 12:32 PM
A rigorous intellectual, Caroline Davis makes intensely visceral music that mines everything from the cardiology of the…
Chick Corea’s Elektric Band heads up a stellar group of boxed sets.
Dec 19, 2023 11:22 AM
Looking for that perfect last-minute gift? There’s plenty to choose from in this year’s edition of the DownBeat…
Vocalist Samara Joy reveals a core of benevolence on A Joyful Holiday.
Dec 18, 2023 7:15 PM
’Tis the season. You enjoy Christmas music, but are leery of listening to the same old albums. Bored with, oh, the…
The 313 Partnership from Third Man Records and Blue Note Records.
Dec 18, 2023 6:38 PM
Between Record Store Day’s still-fresh Black Friday releases and a bevy of reissues and new vinyl releases, there is…
