Aidan Levy

In addition to JazzTimes, Aidan Levy’s work has appeared in The New York Times, the Village Voice, and the Nation. He is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, where he specializes in jazz studies. He has played baritone saxophone with the Stan Rubin Orchestra, Cotton Club All-Stars, and various other groups. His biography of Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, was published by Hachette in 2022.

Sonny Rollins at the Turning Point

Aidan Levy

Toward the end of the 1950s, the already renowned tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins managed to kick his addiction to heroin. But he soon realized that … Read More “Sonny Rollins at the Turning Point”

Sonny Rollins: Bright Moments

Aidan Levy

“I don’t listen to my own music,” Sonny Rollins said in October from his Woodstock home, chewing a Ricola cough drop as he got ready … Read More “Sonny Rollins: Bright Moments”

Steve Davis: Correlations (Smoke Sessions)

Aidan Levy

Trombonist and educator Steve Davis was a member of the last graduating class at the University of Art Blakey, and as he said in a … Read More “Steve Davis: Correlations (Smoke Sessions)”

James Brandon Lewis Takes Two

Aidan Levy

Closing out the the opening night of the 2018 Vision Festival on May 23 at Roulette in Brooklyn, 34-year-old tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis played … Read More “James Brandon Lewis Takes Two”

Before & After With Sherrie Maricle: Reflecting on Big-Band History

Aidan Levy

On March 30, 1993, drummer Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra gave their debut performance at the Loeb Student Center at New York University, … Read More “Before & After With Sherrie Maricle: Reflecting on Big-Band History”

Adam Rogers: Rhythm, Guitar

Aidan Levy

On a Thursday in early September, at the 55 Bar in Greenwich Village, guitarist Adam Rogers and the trio DICE did what they have done … Read More “Adam Rogers: Rhythm, Guitar”

Bright Moments With Louis Hayes

Aidan Levy

On May 31, drummer Louis Hayes celebrated his 80th birthday and a new album at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York, surrounded by friends, collaborators … Read More “Bright Moments With Louis Hayes”

Bright Moments with Cecil McBee

Aidan Levy

For the past six decades, bassist, composer and educator Cecil McBee has quietly anchored the rhythm section for bands led by Charles Lloyd, Jackie McLean, … Read More “Bright Moments with Cecil McBee”

Q&A: Shabaka Hutchings

Aidan Levy

When London-based tenor saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and his group Shabaka and the Ancestors opened the 13th annual Winter Jazzfest at Le Poisson Rouge on Jan. … Read More “Q&A: Shabaka Hutchings”

Bright Moments With Carla Bley

Aidan Levy

It was Nov. 4, and Carla Bley sat at the piano at Jazz Standard in New York, gesticulating at drummer Matt Wilson during “Silent Spring,” … Read More “Bright Moments With Carla Bley”

John Beasley: What Does a Music Director Do?

Aidan Levy

Miles Davis alum John Beasley has stepped into the role of music director for a diverse slate of projects—from tours with Steely Dan and Queen … Read More “John Beasley: What Does a Music Director Do?”