By Adriane Portecorvo, PopMatters Brooklyn-based ensemble AJOYO are based on an ethos of expansion, bringing musicians from across the world together in rich, internationally-inflected jazz collaborations. Out ahead of their upcoming sophomore album War Chant, new single “Better Love” is a resonant example of how the collective comes together to spread positivity. Lead vocalist Sarah … Read More
By Matt Micucci, JAZZIZ Elsa Nilsson Debuts New Group Via New Album: Just a few months after the release of Hindsight, flutist/composer Elsa Nilsson debuts a new group, South by North East (SXNE) with a digital-only album, for human beings, out May 15. Released in response to COVID-19, this is a five-piece improvised suite featuring … Read More
By Lee Megner, JazzTimes There’s something about jazz musicians from Chicago. A certain physicality mixed with intelligence, as well as a blend of earthiness and urbanity. Bassist Clark Sommers, best known for his tenure with Kurt Elling, fits that prototype of a Chicago jazz musician. Sitting in a café on the Celebrity Infinity during the … Read More
By Jay Daniels, Simply Timeless Radio Each week, we bring you the stories behind the artists and their songs. This week, we’re delighted to share the musical journey of award-winning pianist, vocalist, and composer, Laila Biali. The Toronto-based artist just released her latest album, an ambitious work called “Out of Dust.” During our discussion, Laila … Read More
By Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine For those of you who may be unaware, there’s a revolution going on in Russia, a jazz revolution that is.Having already covered a couple of projects from the Rainy Days label, let me borrow some of my words that appeared in another outlet. We’ll get to Sasha Mashin’s new project … Read More
By Jason Crane, The Jazz Session Pianist Andy Milne has just released his first trio album, The ReMission (Sunnyside Records, 2020), featuring bassist John Hébert and drummer Clarence Penn. In this interview, Milne talks about finally deciding to make a trio record; how the album coincided with both his fight against cancer and a new … Read More
By Tom Schnabel, KCRW This week, Rhythm Planet whips up our usual recipe – a mix of new and older releases across a range of musical styles. Read the full playlist here.
By Bill Milkowski, Downbeat After 37 years of living in the bucolic scenery of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, a stone’s throw from the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, Dave Liebman and his wife, oboist-composer Caris Visentin Liebman, moved back to the Big Apple, where the reedist with the prodigious output was born 73 years ago. … Read More
By Bass Musician, Bass Musician Magazine Whirlwind Recordings is proud to announce the June 12th release of Lagos Pepper Soup, the new album from bassist and composer Michael Olatuja. On this, his third release as a bandleader, Olatuja presents his spectacular blend of West African Afrobeats and jazz, with the support of a string orchestra – arranged by iconic film score orchestrator Dave Metzger – … Read More
By Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine Twelve years after her auspicious debut, vocalist and songwriter Leslie Beukelman returns with the equally introspective and more mature Golden Daffodil. Fronting a rhythm trio of accomplished jazz musicians, Beukelman goes beyond genres on a delightful mix of originals and covers. The selection of songs highlights her talents to … Read More
