Flora Purim Has Stories to Tell
In 1978, Bruce Meyer of UPI called Flora Purim “the most popular jazz singer in the United States, which is to say she is the … Read More “Flora Purim Has Stories to Tell”
James Gavin
James Gavin is the author of Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker, Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne, and Intimate Nights: The Golden Age of Cabaret. He is a regular contributor to JazzTimes.
James Gavin on social media
Lani Hall: Seasons of Love (Herb Alpert Presents)
Back when the Mamas and the Papas and the Beach Boys were spreading sunshine all over the Hot 100, Brasil ’66 was selling a breezy … Read More “Lani Hall: Seasons of Love (Herb Alpert Presents)”
Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios: Songs from My Father (Whaling City Sound)
Vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, 97 and finally retired from playing after eight decades, embodies all the fun of the era that created him. Whether as a … Read More “Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios: Songs from My Father (Whaling City Sound)”
The True, Boundary-Pushing Story of Gene Howard and Love Is a Drag
In 1960, a Beverly Hills vinyl emporium known as Record Center, located at the corner of Wilshire and La Cienega, kept running out of an … Read More “The True, Boundary-Pushing Story of Gene Howard and Love Is a Drag“
Mike Renzi 1941 – 2021
“He is truly one of the most gifted musicians I’ve ever met, and I can’t tell you how inspiring it is for me to sing … Read More “Mike Renzi 1941 – 2021”
Ronny Whyte: Whyte Witchcraft: Songs of Cy Coleman (Audiophile)
Cy Coleman (1929-2004), the jazz pianist turned theater composer, is best remembered for his string of golden Broadway scores: Little Me, Wildcat, Sweet Charity, Seesaw, … Read More “Ronny Whyte: Whyte Witchcraft: Songs of Cy Coleman (Audiophile)”
Aaron Weinstein: Wielding the Bow, and the Bow Tie
For at least six decades, many young jazzmen have viewed the music’s early years as hopelessly uncool. Aaron Weinstein discovered that in 2003, when he … Read More “Aaron Weinstein: Wielding the Bow, and the Bow Tie”
Overdue Ovation: A Bossa Nova Pioneer Celebrates His Latest Rebirth
Many tourists who land in Brazil think that bossa nova, the country’s most renowned musical export, is still wafting through the palm trees and pulsing … Read More “Overdue Ovation: A Bossa Nova Pioneer Celebrates His Latest Rebirth”
Sweet Charity: Herb Alpert Award in the Arts Celebrates 25th Anniversary
It was in the 1980s that trumpeter Herb Alpert—creator of a ’60s pop phenomenon, the Tijuana Brass, and cofounder of A&M Records—began to ponder what … Read More “Sweet Charity: Herb Alpert Award in the Arts Celebrates 25th Anniversary”
Viva Xalapa!: Jazz in Mexico
The Mexican city played host to Latin America’s first jazz education conference.
Lani Hall: Never Say Never Again
With Sérgio Mendes and Brasil ’66, the vocalist helped define an era. Chronic illness and disillusion with the industry derailed her for years, but now—to her own amazement—she’s back on track.
Morgana King Remembered
Long before she died on March 22 at the age of 87, Morgana King had known which credit would top her obituaries. It wasn’t her … Read More “Morgana King Remembered”
Singer Rebecca Parris Dies at 66
In Carmen McRae’s suitcase throughout her last year of touring was a tape of Rebecca Parris’ 1990 album, Love Comes and Goes. McRae told Parris … Read More “Singer Rebecca Parris Dies at 66”
Terry Gibbs: Tales of a True Bebopper
“I am the oldest bebopper alive!” proclaims 93-year-old Terry Gibbs. This forefather of the jazz vibraphone may well be right; age-wise he beats out his … Read More “Terry Gibbs: Tales of a True Bebopper”
Helen Merrill: Big in Japan
In April, Japan’s favorite jazz singer for more than 50 years returned for what she called her “sayonara” engagement. As Helen Merrill stepped onstage at … Read More “Helen Merrill: Big in Japan”
Ann Richards: Dreams Have a Way of Fading
As a teenager of the 1950s, singer Ann Richards fell in love from afar with the Toscanini of big-band jazz, Stan Kenton. He was 6-foot-4, … Read More “Ann Richards: Dreams Have a Way of Fading”
Overdue Ovation: Morgana King
The Godmother of Vocal Jazz
Overdue Ovation: Cleo Laine
Without Sir John, the grande dame soldiers on
Jazz in Rio: Beyond Bossa
Brazilian jazz shares the struggle for attention
Farewell: Jackie Cain (online exclusive)
5.22.28-9.15.14
Jimmy Greene’s Songs for Ana
Striving to heal through God, family and jazz
Must-Hear Recordings Made at Slugs’ Saloon
Live in a dive
André Previn: The Aristo-Cat
Versatility personified
Homophobia in Jazz
A few years back, I visited a jazz pianist who had made his mark in the ’70s with a reflective series of albums on the … Read More “Homophobia in Jazz”