Jazz Artist Interviews (709)
Get up close and personal with your favorite jazz artists!
At the end of February, I had a chance to visit and dine with Washington DC saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk who was returning to his native Canada for the week,to act as an adjudicator for a province wide high school jazz competition. Most of our conversation focused on his new CD Here Today, his debut solo effort in which he was joined by his band, The Jazz Update. At the time, the album was ranked number twenty-five on the national airplay list and by the end of March, had spen …
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Fusion guitarist Richard Hart is a well known studio and touring musician in jazz circles having worked with "Chuck Datillo, Larry Nance, Tony Molina, Ansley Dunbar, Ron Eschete, Tom Scott, Heath Brothers, Kirk Whalum, Russell Malone, McCoy Tyner, and Mel Torne," he roll calls. His musical experiences inspired him to create his own songs and release an album of original material called Fearless Shores on Innervision Records. "I wanted to incorporate all the great influences of t …
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A little bit of R&B and funk is good for the soul, but when it's peppered with smooth jazz textures, then you've got some of the best feel-good sounds around.The seven member group of the Urban Jazz Coalition (UJC) is a group that displays the musical hybrid and they are really "bringing it" on with their latest CD Down to Get Up. On this 12 track CD, I can basically handpick a few tracks that are indeed chart-topping candidates. Now that's what I'm talking about! …
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If the name Ellen Honert doesn’t ring any musical bells for you, I’m here to change that! Bay area Singer/Songwriter/Pianist Honert has just released her debut CD, Breath of the Soul on the Mill Station Records label. The twelve tracks include a cover of the Beatles’ classic, "Got to Get You Into My Life," as well as Ellen originals. All tracks were produced and brilliantly arranged by …
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There is an old cliché that goes something like this, ‘If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it probably is a duck.’ That cliché may apply to some people and most certainly is applicable to ducks, but it relates in no way to the life of jazz singer Elli Fordyce or the attitude with which she approaches her life. The singer who will be turning seventy-years old on March 31, demonstrates no signs of slowing down and does not fit the stereotype of someone about to join the septuagenaria …
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Saxophonist Andrew Neu made his debut in 2000 with his solo album Inspire, presenting material that exhibited his flare for stylish chord movements and sensual elevations. He maintained that standard in his 2007 sophomore album In Clear View, and has now taken his flare for debonair lifts to new heights on his third solo CD, Try Something Neu. Working with a cast of musicians whom he refers to as "the best in the business," Neu beams with pride over his offering from NuGr …
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Some actors learn how to sing and occasionally dance so they can land a plumb role on Broadway or another big stage, but this is the story of an actress who decided to turn to singing and we are the lucky ones. Melissa Stylianou is an incredibly gifted jazz vocalist who arrived in New York City from Toronto, Canada in 2005. Her effortless reading of Sting’s "Tea In The Sahara" (Bachelorette-2001) is elegant, her interpretation of Lennon and McCartney’s "Blackbird" (Sliding D …
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Tim Cunningham’s current album Manchester Road, on TAWC Records, makes peace with grieving wounds and nurtures those relationships with family, friends, and God. His smooth jazz compositions and liquid saxophone lines were inspired by his feelings toward his family. Songs like "Sadie," an ode to his young daughter Sadie, and "Wintress," a tribute to his niece Wintress, are prime selections that show how music can speak with emotional depth. He reflects, "’Wintress’ was my niece …
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Brad Shepik’s latest trio record Places You Go features the guitarist/composer continuing his upward trajectory. Having worked with artists like Dave Douglas and Paul Motian through the years, his sensibilities and abilities have become both refined and open. His playing and writing get deeper with each recording and this one may be a bigger leap forward than any in his recent past. He’s joined again by Tom Rainey on the drums who is consistently creative without losing …
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Every once in awhile, a jewel goes undiscovered and gathers dust. Fortunately for me while surfing the internet one night in December, I discovered the music of New England guitarist Scott Tarulli. The teacher from the Berklee College of Music has released two albums to date, his studio project Transitions and the fall 2004 live recording September In Boston: Live, performed at the Abbey Lounge. Spectacular keyboard player Dennis Hughes, bassist Jordan Scanella and d …
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Jazz bass guitar player and composer Michael Manson was relaxed and in a jovial mood as he spoke to me from his home in Chicago, shortly after returning from a gig as a feature guest artist on the Brian Culbertson jazz cruise. "Brian and I are old friends and I had a great time playing. As musicians we don’t get a chance to hang out as much as we really want to but this cruise afforded us the opportunity (to be together) for a whole week," says the man who has blown audiences and the …
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"Bands come and go. I just try to do my best for the audience whether it is a live show or a recording. You are only as good as your last thing, your last project or your last show. You want to leave people with wanting to talk about you and having good things to say so they will come back to see the next show or buy the next CD," says Greg Adams who certainly needs no introduction to jazz fans. Adams was speaking to me from his home in Los Angeles on this Tuesday morning. The trumpet …
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A camera is following blues artist Eric Bibb as he moves among the shops on Paris, France’s Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau and that is how the CD Diamond Days begins. Acting upon a last minute suggestion from a cinematographer friend, Bibb is filmed with a camcorder while he visits what he refers to as one of his "favorite haunts," a luthier shop, RF Charle Instruments de Musique à Cordes. "There was something about the spontaneity of the whole thing that I felt enticed with, a cert …
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In August, Jeff Golub (pronounced Goal-ub) released his 8th solo album, Blues for You. Jeff is known primarily as a smooth jazz guitarist, but he stretches out his blues chops on this album - the blues being an early influence in his musical background. Blues for You is also a different album for Jeff in that four of the tracks are vocals. Although Jeff has had vocals on past albums, his focus has been instrumental music. Blues for You reunites Jeff with Billy Squir …
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Tierney Sutton is a happy person. She has just released ON THE OTHER SIDE on Telarc, which may be the best work she and the band she sings with, have yet done. Tierney Sutton is a very happy vocalist because she and the band she sings with, having completed the foundation, have erected a musical temple that is as unique as it is beautiful. It is through this temple that they step up from the ranks of elite players to the higher level of musicianship where their music is immediately rec …
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Legendary Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis' pensive look on his album and CD jackets were always interpreted by the media as dark, mysterious and any other adjectives like the aforementioned that you can think about. But talking to his nephew Vincent Wilburn, Jr. recently, he paints a different picture. "Uncle Miles was very humorous and was not the "prince of darkness" that people perceived him to be. Matter of fact, he hated it when they called him that. He wasn't recluse or dark either. He had a …
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Catch as catch can. Many times interviews with musicians are done as they’re rushing to a rehearsal, while they’re desperately trying to finish a meal begun an hour ago, in the middle of practicing, putting the kids to bed or doing laundry. But on that occasion when an artist is found in a treasured moment of peace in their natural environment, it makes for a relaxed interview. Saxophonist Sonny Rollins, who describes himself as a "private, retiring person," gave that kind of interview. His envi …
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Some artists might consider a musical theater role portraying a legend like Frank Sinatra to be A potential career killer because of the comparisons to Ol’ Blue Eyes, and then the prospect of not being able to get out from under that shadow and assert your own individuality as a singer. That, however, is not the situation with Jonathan Poretz, a jazz vocalist hailing from the San Francisco area who has spent almost two years depicting Sinatra in the production of Dick Feeney and Sandy Hackett …
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Brian Lynch is a very unique artist with a very unique sound. When he does something like record an album with the legendary Eddie Palmieri, well, that is done in a very unique way as well. The first thing that stands out about Brian Lynch is not only how his latest album Simpatico was recorded, but how fans of this artist, or just those who may not know much about him but want to learn, can get a very special look into the creative process that goe …
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If you were one to look up the definition of the phrase "musician's musician", chances are you will see Andy Narell's picture next to it. In fact, a few years ago, this writer had an interview with R&B singer Phil Perry who admitted that he was an Andy Narell fan and raved about the fact that he had some of Narell's music in his collection. Truly, Mr. Perry is not alone on being sold on Narell's music. Indeed, Andy Narell is bubbling over with talent and a passion for pan-jazz musi …
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Joe Sample has had a very busy week--recording with Queen Latifah, a visit to the Sierra Nevada mountains, publicity work for his new duet album with Randy Crawford, and oh yeah, awaiting the birth of his first grandchild. That was just this week. Makes you tired just reading about it, let alone trying to live it, but that does not seem to phase Sample in the least. In fact, he seems to enjoy it. For those who may not know, Joe Sample is one of the finest, if not the finest jazz mus …
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Falkner Evans Trio: Climbing the Gates New York jazz pianist Falkner Evans once again joins forces with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Matt Wilson on the second Falkner Evans Trio album, Climbing the Gates, a fresh approach to mainstream jazz with some diverse play upon the tradition. The CD is full of music that features what Evans calls "complex structures with discernible melodies laid over the top, and lots of improvisation." JazzR …
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On February 6, it was announced that Johannes Linstead one of Canada’s top guitarists was nominated for the nation’s top music prize a Juno Award. The Junos are Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy and Linstead’s guitarra Latina CD Café Tropical is being recognized in the Instrumental Album Of The Year category. When contacted Linstead had this to say about his nomination, "I was thrilled when they announced my name for the nomination. However, what made it even more speci …
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Has it been awhile since you’ve heard anything new, anything fresh, in vocal jazz today? I think I can recommend the cure for what ails you, friend. Take a listen to the jazz vocal stylings of Karen Blixt, who has just released her debut album titled, Spin This on her very own HiFi Records label (co-founded with friend and Executive Producer, Lisa Thomas). Every song is her own, including the standards she gives us on this recording. "My Favorite Things" and "Nig …
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January 2007 - It is uncomforting to hear that there are ensemble directors today who question the validity of using improvisation as a criterion for adjudicating young jazz students in competition. This démodé mindset hampers the progression and expression of players and the music - and what for? If players aren’t emboldened to unleash their inner creative spirit, then why do this thing called jazz? (Or whatever you’d like to call it.) New York-based trumpeter and composer Brian Grode …
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