Atlanta Jazz Festival

When trumpeter Christian Scott was growing up in New Orleans in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, his grandfather gave him and his brother Kiel extra reading assignments each week as a supplement to their assigned schoolwork. If the young students failed to finish their books within the week, their …

Delfeayo Marsalis is one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today. Known for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor…” (Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times), he is “…one of the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation.” (Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner.) In …

For the past few years, Smooth Jazz radio stations around the country have quietly changed call letters and formats opting for alternative rock, Spanish pop and even talk radio. Many people relied on the easy listening style of music to keep them de-stressed during the work day. It was a …

For over two decades multi-talented guitarist, Norman Brown has been captivating his audiences. This musical innovator is also a composer and singer. Discovered by, the renowned musician and producer, Norman Connors, Brown has remained relevant beyond the years of his 1992 debut album Just Between Us. In 2002 he won …

Legendary saxophonist and songwriter Kirk Whalum gained his love of music from a strong musical family and began his musical career singing in the church choir in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. As with many soul artists, gospel music was a cornerstone in the foundation of an award winning career …

To be better, to live better, to love better, is Chrisette Michele’s new mantra. With the June 2013, release of her fourth album Better, Michele is in a new and better place; musically, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Born in Central Islip, New York and raised in Patchogue, New York, …

The embodiment of soul can be found in Julie Dexter’s music, her style, her life. She was born and raised in Birmingham, England. A classically trained artist, Dexter has made her way throughout the jazz circle. She was first heard in 1994 on The Jamaican Beat Vol. 1 and later …

Dionne Farris made the decision to be a singer at the young age of 12. The New Jersey native, determined to see her dreams come true, followed the music and left a trail of stellar performances behind her. In high school Farris took the lead role in her school’s production …

There are singers whose voices are soft, melodic, timeless and original, jazz vocalist Gretchen Parlato is the beholder of such a voice. Everything she creates turns in to a masterpiece. Her 2005 debut album Gretchen Parlato was named “5 Best Progressive Jazz CDs of 2005 by Jazz Nation” – KPR …

The league of next generation jazz artists brings with it the conundrum of tradition versus innovation. This new class seems to favor the latter over the former, but there are a quite a few whose loyalties lie with tradition. The classic vocal sound of Cécile McLorin Salvant allows you to …

When one considers great jazz performers and pianists, names such as Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Art Tatum, come to mind, and one day Wynton Marsalis’ young prodigy Aaron Diehl may be named among those greats. Born in Columbus Ohio, Diehl began his musical journey as a student and …

Cuban born pianist and composer Aruan Ortiz expertly blends contemporary jazz with Afro-Cuban rhythms and classical music. The up and coming artist began studying music at the age of eight. Ortiz, classically trained in both the piano and the violin, has won numerous awards with both instruments. As a violinist, …