Reviews

Blue Note Records has announced a September 17 release date for Liquid Spirit, the remarkable major label debut from GRAMMY-nominated jazz and soul singer Gregory Porter. The 14-track album is further justification for Porter’s quick ascent into the top ranks of jazz and R&B singers today, and it also features 10 new …

The ceremony was held at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home, Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame honors iconic artists and members of the jazz community based on his or her singular dedication and outstanding contributions to jazz. …

Blue Note Records, the world’s premiere jazz label, has launched an iPhone and iPod touch version of its Blue Note by Groovebug App, which was introduced for iPad last year, both versions available exclusively on the App Store. Developed by Groovebug, the new Blue Note delivers a rich experience for …

Comedian Sinbad once referred to Mint Condition as “the last Black band” left. Like all things said in jest, there’s an unfortunate truth to that assertion. The quintet from Minnesota is a lingering holdover from the days when black show bands dominated the radio; Cameo, Earth, Wind and Fire, Parliament, …

Julie Dexter It’s that time of year again. May equals jazz for the city of Atlanta. For the entire month there are concerts and activities throughout the area. These activities lead up to the big celebration, the 36th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival which was held over Memorial Day weekend as …

Photo by Marc Millman Stevie Wonder was the cause but the Robert Glasper Experiment along with his selected vocalists Eric Roberson, Lalah Hathaway and Mint Condition’s front man Stokley Williams was the effect. Songs in the Key of Life gathered lovers of Stevie Wonder’s incredible body of work and Robert …

Emily Bear is like any other 11-year-old girl, aside from the fact that she is an accomplished pianist, expressive composer and, if that wasn’t impressive, she also possesses something very few children her age have – the Quincy Jones stamp of approval. The 27-time Grammy-Award winning producer/arranger/composer and all-around legend …

With a resume that goes on for days, Grammy-Award winning trumpeter, film score composer, composer and arranger, Terence Blanchard is set to release his 19th album Magnetic as a co-leader/leader in May (2013) on the Blue Note Record Label. The replacement to Wynton Marsalis in the legendary jazz group “The …

The British Invasion of the 1950s brought the groovy mod sounds of British boy bands that changed the landscape of music in America. Fifty years later we find ourselves in the midst of a new invasion. Unlike the former, these new British artists are making their mark on R&B and …

Alto Saxophonist Justin Robinson is a true student of music. Deeply rooted in the traditions of swing, this Manhattan based saxophonist is considered to be one of the strongest sidemen in the business. Inspired by jazz legends like the great Jacky Mclean and Charlie Parker, Robinson has a sound rich …

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 …