by Alex Vitoulis, Billboard Harlem, New York native Vivian Sessoms might not be a household name. But you’ve probably heard her voice or seen her live—and not even known it. Sessoms has provided vocals on records and/or tours for such stars as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer, Sinead O’Connor, Diddy, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor Dayne, … Read More
DanMichael Reyes, Revive Music Known as one of the most reliable musicians to man the low-end, Dezron Douglas has made a career of providing the root for some of the most swinging modern music. Mentored by masters like Jackie McLean, Michael Carvin, and Pharoah Sanders, Douglas’ connection with music will always be swing. “I feel like no matter what groove, time … Read More
Sébastien Hélary, Nextbop Pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Zucker is a Yale graduate and Rhodes scholar who is quickly becoming a prominent voice in the New York avant-garde music scene. Zucker has won awards from ASCAP and the American Composers Forum and has performed in 18 countries in a various formats ranging from No Reference … Read More
Nate Chinen, WBGO Ralph Peterson Messenger Legacy, “In Case You Missed It” Thirty-five years ago, Ralph Peterson was handpicked by Art Blakey to be the second drummer in a special edition of the Jazz Messengers. He was on the rise then, in his early 20s, and Blakey’s benediction meant the world. Since then, Peterson has … Read More
Matt Micucci, Jazziz Greg Ward, “Stardust” Saxophonist-composer Greg Ward, one of the most versatile saxophonists of his generation, will launch his new group Rogue Parade with Stomping Off the Greenwood, his new album, out on January 11 via Greenleaf Music. Rogue Parade is a quintet of heavyweight creative Chicago musicians and this nine-track collection explores the … Read More
Sébastien Hélary, NextBop Working Between New York and Montreal, French-Canadian trumpeter and composer Rachel Therrien released her fourth album, Why Don’t You Try, last year on the Multiple Chord Music label. The album features a quintet of Montreal standouts, namely Simon Pagé on electric bass, Charles Trudel on piano, Alain Bourgeois on drums, and Benjamin Deschamps … Read More
Donte Gibson, SoulBounce With all the political and civil discord, it almost seems as if the experiment that is America is ready to come apart at the seams. Of course, for those of us for whom this country has never been a safe space, this news is nothing new. In fact, it’s pretty old hat, … Read More
Sébastien Hélary, NextBop Alto saxophonist and composer Greg Ward has a new album in store for us coming January 11th to Greenleaf Music on which he introduces his new band: Rogue Parade. Ward’s fourth album Stomping Off From Greenwood does, in fact, feature a quintet of heavyweight creative Chicago musicians namely, guitarists Matt Gold and Dave Miller, … Read More
DanMichael Reyes, Revive Music At this point in their respective careers, Darren Barrett and Kurt Rosenwinkel serve as a bridge between up-and-coming musicians and the masters of old. Between the two of them, both men have studied and played alongside architects of this idiom while also leaving their mark and signature to rich tapestry of jazz. So whenever either … Read More
Matt Micucci, Jazziz Award winning bassist, composer, producer and engineer Scott Petito is particularly known for working with such leading musicians in jazz and popular music as Dave Brubeck, The Band, James Taylor, Chick Corea, John Scofield and Jack DeJohnette, among many others. On August 1, he released his new album as leader, Rainbow Gravity, via Planet … Read More
