By Piotr Orlov, AFROPUNK Originally, AFROPUNK’s purpose in premiering “Om Shanti,” saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s collaboration with Georgia Anne Muldrow and Meshell Ndegeocello on a cover of Alice Coltrane’s spiritual anthem, was not meant to be topical. At least not in the way that it now might seem on this Friday the 13th. Coltrane’s “Om Shanti” … Read More
By Matt Micucci, Jazziz Vocalist/pianist Laila Biali’s forthcoming album, Out of Dust, will be released on March 27 via Chronograph/ACT. The LP includes a version of Gregory Porter’s “Take Me to the Alley,” and this video features a live acoustic, alternate take of the song captured in one take at Trinity St. Paul’s United Church … Read More
By Downbeat Trumpeter/flugelhornist Rachel Therrien’s collected 15 original compositions for VENA (Bonsaï), which is set for release March 27. “The letter V is significant to me. I was struck by the formation birds make when they migrate; they fly in a perfect ‘V’ onward to their next destination. By flying this way, the birds are … Read More
By Matt Micucci, Jazziz Flutist/composer Elsa Nilsson’s upcoming album, Hindsight, is a direct reaction to the current political climate and reflects the urgency of her generation. Each of the pieces, including the title track presented here in a live version performed with her quartet, comes from the rhythmic structure of chants heard at Women’s Marches … Read More
By Jedd Beaudoin, PopMatters Svetlana‘s 2019 LP Night at the Movies pays tribute to some of the Russian-born musicians favorite music from the silver screen, including “Moonlight”, which appeared in the 1995 picture Sabrina. The tune was written by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and John T. Williams. “Film and music both express a fleeting beauty; … Read More
By Sébastien Hélary, Nextbop ChimyTina, the duo of vocalist Martina DaSilva, leader of the jazz vocal harmony group The Ladybugs, and bassist Dan “Chimy” Chmielinski (Wynton Marsalis, Marc Cary, Brad Mehldau, and Joey Alexander) began collaborating in 2014 for what has now become a semi-regular video series featuring bass-vocal renditions of classic standards such as … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz New Music Monday: JAZZIZ is delighted to present the song premiere of the extended version of renowned vocalist JD Walter’s take on the traditional hymn “All Through the Night” from his upcoming album Dressed in a Song – given away exclusively with pre-orders of the LP on Bandcamp. The track features Walter alongside … Read More
by Sebastien Helary, NextBop Saxophonist Chris Madsen has earned himself a solid reputation on the Chicago jazz scene ever since moving to the Windy City in 2006 after attending Juilliard’s jazz program under the tutelage of such masters as Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, and Wycliffe Gordon. Madsen now serves as jazz faculty at the University … Read More
By: Nate Chinen, WBGO Over the last decade, Oran Etkin has garnered sizeable acclaim as a clarinetist and composer, for music that few would characterize as child’s play. But Etkin has also made a serious subspecialty out of music for kids — with Timbalooloo, an educational program encompassing classes, workshops, and albums like Finding Friends Far From … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz Ben Flocks, “Shangri-La” Saxophonist/composer Ben Flocks has shared the video for his rendition of Robert Maxwell’s “Shangri-La,” featuring images by visual artist Angel Antonio de la Fuente. The track is featured on his latest album, Mask of the Muse, out now via his own label, West Cliff Records. “I chose the melodies … Read More
