The Accordion in Jazz: Who’s Laughing Now?
OK, that’s funny, but it also implies a problem. People who dismiss the accordion as soon as they hear it, as soon as it triggers … Read More “The Accordion in Jazz: Who’s Laughing Now?”
Geoffrey Himes
Geoffrey Himes has written about jazz and other genres of music on a regular basis for the Washington Post since 1977 and has also written for JazzTimes, Paste, Rolling Stone, New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, National Public Radio, and others. His book on Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A., was published by Continuum Books in 2005 and he’s currently working on a major book for the Country Music Hall of Fame. He has been honored for Music Feature Writing by the Deems Taylor/ASCAP Awards (2003, 2005, 2014 and 2015), the New Orleans Press Awards, the Abell Foundation Awards and the Music Journalism Awards.
Geoffrey Himes on social media
The Next Step
“Midnight Waves,” a highlight of Joey Alexander’s sixth album, Origin, describes the nocturnal ocean off Bali, where the teenaged pianist and his parents returned home … Read More “The Next Step”
Excavating the Career of Sam Rivers
One of the most extraordinary jazz concerts I’ve ever attended was the unaccompanied duo of Sam Rivers and Dave Holland at D.C. Space on May … Read More “Excavating the Career of Sam Rivers”
The Cello in Jazz
“People often tell me that the cello is their favorite instrument,” Erik Friedlander laments, “and that can be a curse. It puts the cello in … Read More “The Cello in Jazz”
Improvising Heaven: The Harp in Jazz
America’s most famous harpist is Harpo Marx: he of the curly mop of hair, sealed lips, and an overcoat full of props. When he sat … Read More “Improvising Heaven: The Harp in Jazz”
Pat Donaher Balances Life as a Musician, Teacher, and Yogi
Pat Donaher and Allison Miller first got to know each other in 2018, when the former invited the latter to be that year’s guest artist … Read More “Pat Donaher Balances Life as a Musician, Teacher, and Yogi”
Morgan Guerin: So Many Instruments, So Little Time
You’re probably familiar with the cartoons that depict biological evolution as a parade of walking figures: crouching chimpanzee on the left, stooped humanoid and stocky … Read More “Morgan Guerin: So Many Instruments, So Little Time”
Seven Pedal Steel Guitar Albums You Should Hear
As a supplement to our July/August 2020 feature on the pedal steel in jazz, check out these seven twangy collections that are worth your time. … Read More “Seven Pedal Steel Guitar Albums You Should Hear”
The Pedal Steel Guitar Slides Into Jazz
When Charles Lloyd was a teenager in 1950s Memphis, he played saxophone in a jazz and R&B band that crossed the Mississippi River to play … Read More “The Pedal Steel Guitar Slides Into Jazz”
Social Science Becomes Social Art for Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Band
Waiting Game, the debut album from Terri Lyne Carrington’s new trio Social Science, is a most unusual package. The first disc finds the drummer/leader and … Read More “Social Science Becomes Social Art for Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Band”
The Understated Appeal of Ben Monder
Ben Monder is not a showy guitarist, and perhaps that accounts for his low profile among the jazz public. When you listen to his work—whether … Read More “The Understated Appeal of Ben Monder”
Remembering Ethel Ennis 1932-2019
There was a moment in 1965 when Ethel Ennis looked like the next big female vocalist in jazz. Ennis, who died Sunday (Feb. 17) at … Read More “Remembering Ethel Ennis 1932-2019”
Live Review: New York Winter Jazzfest 2019
The 15th annual Winter Jazzfest in New York opened on Friday, Jan. 4 at Le Poisson Rouge with “Thing Called Life: Prince Reimagined,” a concert … Read More “Live Review: New York Winter Jazzfest 2019”
Tony Allen: Jack of All Parades
Above: Tony Allen (center) prepares for liftoff at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival as Herlin Riley (left) and others watch the onstage action. Photo: Alan … Read More “Tony Allen: Jack of All Parades”
Steve Cardenas: Missing Motian & Praising Monk
Steve Cardenas’ recent Newvelle Records LP is called Charlie & Paul—as in Haden and Motian, two of the guitarist’s biggest influences and two musicians who … Read More “Steve Cardenas: Missing Motian & Praising Monk”
Todd Marcus: Streets of Baltimore
Rising jazz star Todd Marcus lives just three blocks from Gilmor Homes, the Baltimore housing project where Freddie Gray lived and was arrested in 2015. … Read More “Todd Marcus: Streets of Baltimore”
Antonio Sanchez: Immigrant Songs
When Antonio Sanchez eats at restaurants in New York, he’ll often ask the busboys where they’re from. Sanchez, Pat Metheny’s drummer for the past 17 … Read More “Antonio Sanchez: Immigrant Songs”
Joe Fiedler: Bop Beginnings, Avant-Garde Adventures
In the mid-1980s, Joe Fiedler was a jazz student at the University of Pittsburgh, studying the trombone bible according to J.J. Johnson under the tutelage … Read More “Joe Fiedler: Bop Beginnings, Avant-Garde Adventures”
Linda May Han Oh: Presence
When bassists become bandleaders, they must choose: How much should they hang back in their familiar role as part of the rhythm section and … Read More “Linda May Han Oh: Presence”
The Brief, Brilliant, Tragic Life of Eva Cassidy
In full flight
Joey Alexander: Youth Without Youth
The precociously tactful 12-year-old piano phenom
Spoken Word and Jazz: Escaping Predictable Habits
New creative pathways for top musicians
Various Artists: The Complete Dial Modern Jazz Sessions
To understand the significance of Dial Records, a good place to start is the tune “Relaxin’ at Camarillo.” Camarillo is 50 miles northwest of Los … Read More “Various Artists: The Complete Dial Modern Jazz Sessions”
Six-String Theories
Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Julian Lage and Marvin Sewell on the state of jazz guitar
Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band: Landmarks
Wayne Shorter is the most self-effacing of bandleaders; he often plays with such reticence that you’d never guess he was the star unless you glanced … Read More “Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band: Landmarks”
Pat Metheny Unity Group : Kin (←→)
Ever since 1980, when guitarist Pat Metheny became a big enough jazz star to record whatever he wanted, he has more or less alternated avant-garde … Read More “Pat Metheny Unity Group : Kin (←→)”
Cat Power: René Marie Pays Tribute to Eartha Kitt
Exploring the artistry and humanity of a kindred spirit
Terence Blanchard: The Hardest Working Man
The trumpeter balances a new album, an opera, mentoring & more
George Benson: For Love & Money
The guitarist and singer balances art and commerce on Nat King Cole tribute
Bassic Clarinet
Five great bass clarinet tracks