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…
McCann’s deep roots in gospel and the blues gave his music a gritty, earthy quality and a large supply of soulful licks.
Jan 2, 2024 11:37 PM
Les McCann, a jazz pianist and vocalist who helped soul-jazz keep a foothold in mainstream pop music — in the process…
“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…
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…
Steve Davis Meets Hank Jones, Vol. 1 on Smoke Sessions Records.
Dec 18, 2023 6:26 PM
Smoke Sessions Records has expanded its growing list of vinyl offerings. In addition to the mammoth five-LP box of…
