Apr 28, 2026 12:21 PM
Marquis Hill’s Surrender
Shortly after his major label connection with Concord Records (contingent with winning the über prestigious Thelonious…
“The secret is to surrender to the music and let it take you where it wants to go,” says Marquis Hill. “Understanding and vulnerability are key. It’s bigger than just you.”
Apr 28, 2026 12:21 PM
Shortly after his major label connection with Concord Records (contingent with winning the über prestigious Thelonious…
“If we travel to Europe or if we go play gigs around the States, I call it a ‘playcation,’” says guitarist Steve Masakowski, center, of his family band with daughter Sasha, left, and son Martin.
Apr 28, 2026 12:11 PM
Guitarist, composer and educator Steve Masakowski has racked up an impressive list of credentials in his storied…
Montreux Jazz Festival at night.
Apr 22, 2026 2:19 PM
It’s a crazy world we’re living in, so right now we need to be enjoying the things that are not just good, but…
“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…
“I do like having a balance of both worlds, and connecting them,” Camila Nebbia says of the intersection of composition and improvisation.
Apr 21, 2026 12:23 PM
The Berlin tenor saxophonist Camila Nebbia has been rising to eminence on the adventuring jazz and improvisation…
