George Varga began drumming in bands at 12 and writing professionally about music at 15. A Louisiana native who grew up mostly in Germany, he has earned three Pulitzer Prize nominations as the music critic at the San Diego Union-Tribune. In 2002, he created and taught the UC San Diego Extension course, “Jazz in a Post-Ken-Burns World.” Varga’s latest project is Acid Reflux & The Wardrobe Malfunctions, a free-jazz Ashlee Simpson/Janet Jackson tribute band.
George Varga on social media
Like thousands of young jazz musicians before and after him, alto saxophonist Christopher Hollyday enrolled at Berklee College of Music to expand his artistic knowledge, … Read More “Christopher Hollyday’s Vanishing Act”
Four-time Grammy winner Larry Klein was only in his mid-teens when he had his first epiphany as an aspiring jazz bassist, thanks to the 1968 … Read More “The Eclectic Mr. Klein”
Nicole Mitchell isn’t kicking back at all after a heady 2017, during which she performed several world premieres at the prestigious Ojai Music Festival and … Read More “Before & After With Nicole Mitchell”
Joshua White came so highly recommended to Rudresh Mahanthappa that the celebrated saxophonist hired him for a European concert tour without having ever met—or even … Read More “Joshua White: Western Literature”
“Charles Mingus would be very proud of this band,” said Charles McPherson, shortly after the Mingus Dynasty’s sold-out “Tijuana Moods” concert in San Diego on … Read More “Mingus’ “Tijuana Moods” Reborn”
Catching up (and looking back) with the unrelenting bass pioneer
Meeting music’s demands
George Varga reviews the new 3-CD/1-DVD collection featuring Miles’ “2nd Great Quintet.”
George Varga reviews new 2-CD set from noted jazz and fusion threesome
On Bird Songs, the challenge facing saxophonist Joe Lovano-and it’s a formidable one-is to tastefully approach Charlie Parker’s iconic repertoire and his impeccably crafted alto … Read More “Joe Lovano Us Five: Bird Songs”
George Varga reviews ambitious cross-genre project from the noted pianist and bandleader
Dave Holland, much like bass giant, composer and bandleader Charles Mingus before him, thinks and listens as intently as he plays. By doing so, this … Read More “Dave Holland Octet: Pathways”
JT contributor George Varga has mixed feelings about Brit jazz-pop singer’s latest
An audacious new album from a prolific drummer
From the quintessential postbop of Thelonious Monk to the otherworldly explorations of Sun Ra, Dave Matthews has a deep and abiding love for jazz. But … Read More “Dave Matthews Band: What Would You Play”
As much as he loves the art of improvisation and being in the moment, Carlos Santana readily acknowledges he is not a jazz artist. But … Read More “Carlos Santana: Seeing for Miles”
Eric Clapton is a rock icon but he grew up listening to the likes of John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk. George Varga talks with the guitar legend about his affinity for the music.
He’s best known as a veteran of Charles Mingus’ band and the man who supplied Charlie Parker’s solos in Clint Eastwood’s Bird. But Charles McPherson had a solid solo career as well. George Varga reports on McPherson’s latest CD, where the altoist revisits Bird-with strings.
