Jazz Master

It is something inherently African, something that has made its way across overwhelming bodies of water, and hulking masses of land. It has survived slavery, cultural oppression, and social inequality. It is a musical phenomenon indescribable by notation. An impression only understood by feel. Like love or laughter, it is …

Brooklyn is the current headquarters of fusion outfit Snarky Puppy. It’s where many of their revolving members primarily reside and it’s where they recorded their latest album, 2012’s groundUP, at Park Slope’s Shapeshifter Lab. Ironically enough, it’s a place where they perform the least. Their reputation as a collective with …

Although only 42-years-old, Touré has been an unfailing appraiser of music and society for nearly 20 years. Whenever media institutions like Rolling Stone Magazine, Vibe Magazine, BET, MTV or FUSE Network needed someone to get an accurate pulse of the modern recording artist, they called upon the Brooklyn-based author/journalist/TV Personality …

From as early as she can recollect, bassist Nik West rocked to the beat of her own tune. Growing up, she traded in her Mary Jane’s and ballet flats for L.A. Gears as she played basketball with the boys, and preferred a Transformer over a Barbie doll any day. Her …

Lonnie Liston Smith’s attempt to create chart-topping hits spawned into ageless classics for old-school lovers of jazz and a backdrop for artists of other genres to pair with their sounds. Jay-Z’s song “Dead Presidents”, Mary J. Blige’s Grammy winning hit “Take Me As I Am” and singles from Young Jeezy, …

Lee England, Jr. never imagined an introduction to string instruments as a child would foreshadow his future as a nationally-recognized instrumentalist. At six years old, he was immediately drawn to the violin and rushed home to tell his parents he wanted one. Although it gained his interest, the classically trained …

Imagine growing up in an environment where both of your parents are musical band directors. Adam Larson, composer and saxophone player is fortunate to have a father who played the drums and a mother that played the trumpet the majority of his adolescent years. Music being the center of his …

In a music industry often rife with shameless self promotion and ambitious arrogance, humility is a characteristic that is found in minimal proportions. Contrary to popular thought, humility is not the meek position some may think. It is the quiet strength of the humble that does not step on others …

How many people are fortunate enough to be mentored by the legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry? Say, Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. And how about those Quincy Jones mentored; Michael Jackson, Tevin Campbell and Tamia to name a few. There is an individual who can say he has been blessed …

Kiku Collins Photo by Andrew T Foster Kiku Collins is a well-traveled performer, navigating the music scene via her play on both the trumpet and the flugelhorn. Within her dynamic career, she has been invited to perform with Beyonce, Jill Scott, Michael Bolton, and Gloria Gaynor amongst a bevy of …

Like a counterfeit copy of Sonny’s Crib (Sonny Clark) or Cornbread (Lee Morgan), jazz clubs are filled with performances that often times feel formulaic. The equation goes something like this: A+B+C+A= a diverse and dynamically/emotionally engaging performance A = A real swinger, something to show the audience how fast the …

Melvin Van Peebles belongs on the short list of the most innovative filmmakers of the 20th century. The renegade director’s approach to storytelling has made him a true original. His guerilla style quick camera cut approach to his breakout film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassssss Song laid the groundwork for the sub-genre …