Interviews

Nnenna Freelon[ You’re never too mature or experienced to learn something new and Nnenna Freelon says she is no exception to the rule. With a professional musical career that spans 20 years and whose work voyaged the world, the songstress continues to stretch her melodic muscles and open her mind …

Sinbad With a career that spans nearly three decades, Sinbad’s stint and longevity in the entertainment industry is no laughing matter. The comedian says he took his laughs to the road and has performed nonstop since 1983, many of those years he was behind the mike for over 100 shows …

Mark de Clive-Lowe Mark De Clive-Lowe is a jazz musician. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a DJ. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a producer. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a performer. Regardless of how many titles have been used to define Mark de Clive-Lowe, one word seems fitting to sum up the New …

Kurt Elling One of the enduring archetypes in Jazz has been the singer. Billy Ecsktine, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman all fit that template of the romantic, handsome crooner with silky, keening timbres that can melt candles and cool champagne bottles all at once. In the 21st century, the man …

Larry Graham It’s often said that sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. This ideal is mostly applied to the sporting world, but when it comes to Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Larry Graham, his greatness derives from a series of unexpected events. You’d be hard pressed to …

Bobby Broom photo by John Broughton As I call Bobby Broom for an interview, he was preparing his lesson plan for a lecture in jazz improvisation at North Park University. He spoke freely and at length about his career thus far, the incredible opportunities he’s been afforded and his new …

Charles Harrison As the designer of over 700 products used all over the world, it’s definitely a slight to say industrial designer Charles Harrison is just a household name. As the mastermind of all of these concepts, the pioneer’s hand on them makes it’s merely impossible to not touch his …

McCoy Tyner It’s late October 2012. Pianist McCoy Tyner age 73 (now 74), regarded as one of America’s greatest jazz treasures, stepped on stage at New York City’s Symphony Center to perform as a special guest at the Jazz For Obama benefit concert. He made his way to the Steinway …

Michael Genet With a comfort on stage and in front of a camera, Genet says it’s a feeling he can’t describe, but knows that show business was meant for him. Although he was blessed to know at an early age what career path he wanted to travel, the actor says …

Michael Genet With a gracious spirit who is indebted to his past, actor and writer Michael Genet says he carries a low tolerance for mediocrity, something he carries from childhood. He follows the footprints of excellence set forth by his mother, Jeanette, who was an educator and an Ebony magazine …

Alex Bugnon photo by Nicola Stemmer Imagine growing up in Montreux, Switzerland, home of the great Montreux Jazz Festival, being the nephew of jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd or having other jazz legends such as Milton Jackson and Clark Terry hang out with you at your parent’s home. “I was in …

 For thousands of years man has chosen a myriad of vehicles to chronicle history. Tales of birth, life, and death passed down by the village griot, the graceful fluidity of the Alvin Ailey Dancers paying homage to the human experience in movements, the intro, climax, and resolution of an August …