Kevin Press, All About Jazz Trumpeter Wallace Roney has come a long way since his days as a Miles Davis mentee. The young man who earned the Down Beat Award for Best Young Jazz Musician of the Year in both 1979 and 1980 is now a seasoned veteran with 22 band-leader recordings to his credit. During his career, … Read More
By: Willard Jenkins, Open Sky Jazz Trumpeter Kenyatta Beasley has released a record project he’s been considering for more than a minute, an exploration of the compositions of one of his mentors, the late saxophonist-composer Frank Foster. Known as one of Count Basie’s #1 sons, the late NEA Jazz Master Frank Foster, who took over … Read More
Lorens Chuno, Doing Jazz Click the play button to listen to this program. On her new album, Out for Delivery, Vocalist Lauren Desberg flirts boldly with today’s pop sound while remaining informed by Jazz. Join Lauren and me as she talks about Japan, interludes, restaurant gigs, New Orleans, and other randomly connected inspirations. Out for Delivery features saxophonist Braxton … Read More
by Ron Schepper, textura REVIEW: Brimming with personality, Lauren Desberg’s blessed with one of those instantly recognizable voices that sounds fabulous whether heard alone or multiplied into creamy harmonies. Raised in LA and now ensconced in New York, she’s a singer who combines the freshness of a youthful sensibility with the classic feel of jazz … Read More
Q&A, Vivian Sessoms: Songs in the Key of Life by MATT MICUCCI, JAZZIZ Singer/songwriter Vivian Sessoms’ new album, Life II, is out now via Ropeadope Records. This 12-track collection of originals and interpretations of songs by such artists as The Fixx and Stevie Wonder is a companion piece to Life I, released last November, through which she tells … Read More
Kevin Press, All About Jazz Vivian Sessoms has built a career in collaboration with a range of world-famous artists. P. Diddy, Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Sinéad O’Connor, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Stevie Wonder all have a place on her resume. With a new Ropeadope contract in hand, Sessoms has produced a two-part album release called Life. They make … Read More
Susan Frances, Modern Jazz Today Jazz practitioner Vivian Sessoms has made a name for herself as an international vocalist, composer, and arranger. Three separate skill sets which she employed on her compilation Life, consisting of Life I (released November 2, 2018) and Life II (released May 17, 2019). She has a lot to say about Life, how the recordings came to … Read More
Andrew Jervis, Bandcamp Weekly Guests NY-based harpist Brandee Younger and Brownswood Recording’s Skinny Pelembe make music between the lines. Listen to full interview here.
Lorens Chuno, Doing Jazz Podcast Harpist Brandee Younger’s latest release, Soul Awakening, is a collection of 8 well executed compositions, complete with easily felt energy and introspection. Join Brandee and Lorens as they talk about Beyonce, harp pedals, and other things. (Song credits: Games, Respected Destroyer, Soul Awakening, Blue Nile, Save the Children, and Love’s … Read More
Michael Jewett, WEMU Drummer Ralph Peterson Brings his Art Blakey tribute to the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor this weekend. He joins 89.1 WEMU’s Michael Jewett for music and conversation. LISTEN HERE!
