David R. Adler writes about jazz and assorted topics. His work has appeared in JazzTimes, NPR Music, WBGO.org, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Village Voice, DownBeat, Time Out New York, and many other publications. From 2010-2017 he taught jazz history at the Aaron Copland School of Music (Queens College-CUNY). In summer 2017, after 30 years in New York (apart from two in Philadelphia), David relocated with his family to Athens, Georgia. There he continues to write about music and perform solo as a guitarist/vocalist.
David R. Adler on social media
Since his rise as a teenage recording artist in South Africa, guitarist and singer/songwriter Jonathan Butler has gained a high international profile with music that … Read More “Jonathan Butler: “We Can No Longer Be Silent””
Much like a lost jazz recording, master photographer Roy DeCarava’s one-of-a-kind fine art book the sound i saw: improvisations on a jazz theme sat unpublished … Read More “Roy DeCarava: The Sounds He Saw”
Michael Dease didn’t take up trombone until age 17. Nine months after switching from saxophone, the Augusta, Ga., native entered Juilliard’s inaugural 2001 jazz class, … Read More “Before & After: Michael Dease”
If you’re smart, when you attend the Atlanta Jazz Festival in 93-degree heat and unrelenting sun with zero breeze, you do what a lot of … Read More “Live Review: Atlanta Jazz Festival 2019”
Black Mountain College was a noble experiment in progressive education that existed from 1933 until 1957. Its legacy is preserved in downtown Asheville, N.C., by … Read More “Live Review: Fresh Cut Orchestra Plays the Freedom Now Suite in North Carolina”
For over 20 years, pianist Aaron Goldberg has set himself apart as one of the most scintillating performers in jazz, in a longstanding trio with … Read More “Aaron Goldberg: Beyond Logic”
Drummer, composer, bandleader: the words seem inadequate. Brian Blade is an experience. Leaving his creative imprint on a wide swath of jazz and pop over … Read More “Bright Moments: Brian Blade”
Odd as it seems, Grant Green (1935-1979) is simultaneously one of the most and least celebrated guitarists in jazz history. He was certainly one of … Read More “The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Grant Green”
You know you’re at the Big Ears Festival when Nathan Bowles, banjo and bones player for the old-time string band the Black Twig Pickers, enthusiastically … Read More “Live Review: Big Ears 2018”
There’s something at once disarming and immediately gripping about Caipi, the newest release by guitarist and composer Kurt Rosenwinkel. In what is probably the boldest … Read More “Kurt Rosenwinkel: A Whole New Vista”
With Point of Departure, a group exploring charged and often lesser-known repertoire from the late ’60s and early ’70s, trumpeter/bandleader David Weiss has spent more … Read More “David Weiss’ Departures & Arrivals”
Here’s an enviable yet daunting circumstance: warming up the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Downtown Manhattan before the Jack DeJohnette/Dave Holland/Jason Moran trio takes the … Read More “Overdue Ovation: Allan Harris”
Known for his exceptional output as a leader and his modern-minded pianism in bands led by Nicholas Payton, Al Foster, Chris Potter and more, Kevin … Read More “Before & After: Kevin Hays”
All that hot, swingin’ stuff
A Broadway sort-of-revival may have tapped out early, but its beauty and importance remain undiminished
Guitarist forms first horn-less group
Experience, insight and emotion, as player and listener
The guitarist speaks out about freedom and authenticity
The Tainish TInge
Brooklyn premiere of multimedia work inspired by conspiracy theories
The consummate saxophonist-composer talks about his new live album and much more
The pension plight
A new Clark Terry documentary tells a sweet, inspiring tale
On the virtues of his peers and the lessons of the masters
The pianist-composer takes stock of her journey
The power of two
A protean sideman goes (literally) solo
From fusion to filibusters
Avant-garde, swing & everything in between
