Jonah Berman

Jonah’s Contributions

07/10/02 News

Rocco Prestia in Need

Rocco Prestia, whose “fingerstyle funk” bass playing (as it came to be known) laid the foundation for the legendary funk-soul outfit Tower of Power, is suffering from Hepatitis C and excessive ammonia buildup. These complications have further caused him...

07/09/02 News

Book Tells True Stories of Jazz and Death

Tired of all those jazz history books that tell the same old story? Looking for something morbid to do on a Sunday afternoon? How about researching the deaths of your favorite jazz musicians? In his forthcoming book, Jazz and Death: Medical Profiles of Jazz...

07/08/02 News

J@LC Radio

Worried about not getting your fill of Wynton this year? Fear no more, for if you weren't getting enough Marsalis love from other mediums, you can rest assured you will get it on your radio. Jazz at Lincoln Center has recently announced that its weekly radio...

07/06/02 News

BMI Jazz Showcase

The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra will present its 14th annual showcase concert next week at New York's Merkin Hall. During the concert, to be held at 8 p.m. on July 11, the winner of the 3rd annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize will be announced...

07/05/02 News

George Wein Statue

In the coming months, the city of Newport, R.I., will honor jazz impresario George Wein by erecting a statue in his honor. The campaign, called "Generations of Jazz: A Newport Legacy: A Landmark Tribute to Jazz and George Wein," is co-chaired by Dave Brubeck...

07/04/02 News

Ray Brown Dies

Legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown died in his sleep on Tuesday night in Indianapolis. He was 75. Born in 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pa., Brown began on piano and switched to bass during high school. Upon moving to New York in 1945, he immediately became a part of...

07/03/02 News

Rosemary Clooney Dies

Singer Rosemary Clooney died Sat., June 29 at her home in Beverly Hills from complications related to lung cancer. She was 74. Born in Maysville, Kentucky in 1928, Clooney began her career by entering amateur events with her sister Betty. After winning a...

07/02/02 News

Tyner Time: McCoy Honored

The city of Philadelphia thinks it is long overdue that McCoy Tyner (pictured) be recognized for his contributions to the music world. With that in mind, the city of brotherly love will hold a weeklong celebration featuring a lineup of jazz stars to honor...

07/01/02 News

Norah Jones' Golden Touch

Norah Jones has recently challenged the notion that jazz artists don't sell big. Come Away With Me , the singer/pianist's debut album on Blue Note, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album, released on Feb. 26...

06/29/02 News

ROVA Turns 25

The Rova Saxophone quartet will celebrate its 25th anniversary with two Bay Area concert programs presented by Rova:Arts. To be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum in San Francisco, each of the concerts will showcase the saxophone quartet in...

06/28/02 News

Nellie Monk Dies

Nellie Monk passed away at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan on Tuesday from a cerebral hemorrhage. She was 80. As the wife of Thelonious Monk from 1947 until his death in 1982, Nellie provided emotional support and everyday guidance to her husband, who was...

06/27/02 News

Another Great Night in Harlem

The Jazz Foundation of America will hold its second "A Great Night in Harlem" concert at the Apollo Theatre in New York on Sept. 26, 2002. The concert, which will be a benefit for the Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund, will be hosted by Bill Cosby (pictured...

06/26/02 News

Truck Parham Dies at 91

Bassist Truck Parham, a longtime fixture in the Chicago trad-jazz scene, died on June 5 at his home (in Chicago), at the age of 91. Born as Charles Valdez Parham on Jan. 25, 1911, Parham had a long and distinguished career in music that spanned several eras...

06/25/02 News

Concord's Summer Release Schedule

Concord Records has recently announced its schedule for summer releases. Over the next three months, look for the following: 6/25: Colors of Latin Jazz: Samba (Concord Special Products) Ernestine Anderson: I Love Being Here With You (Concord Jazz) Kenny...

06/24/02 News

Oscar Peterson In Words and Music

On July 16, 2002, Verve records will release A Jazz Odyssey , a new compilation album featuring the music of pianist Oscar Peterson (pictured). The CD, which will serve as a companion to Peterson’s upcoming autobiography of the same name, includes 18 tracks...

06/22/02 News

Jazz in Arizona Celebrates 25-Year Anniversary

Jazz in Arizona has announced that it will stage a concert on October 19th to celebrate the organization’s 25th year of jazz-support activity and to raise funds for youth music scholarships. Headliners for the event will be vocalist Francine Reed, who performed...