Maria Muldaur Has Got the South in Her Soul
Since her early days during the folk revival of the 1960s, Maria Muldaur has been immersed in American roots music of the past—the often quite … Read More “Maria Muldaur Has Got the South in Her Soul”
Lee Mergner
Lee Mergner is JazzTimes‘ Contributing Editor. Between 1990 and 2018, he served the magazine in a multitude of roles, including Editor and Publisher.
Lee Mergner on social media
The Return of Festivals: A Full Report (for Now)
The pandemic that began in March 2020 had a disproportionate effect on jazz festivals, in part because the majority take place in the spring, summer, … Read More “The Return of Festivals: A Full Report (for Now)”
U.S. Jazz Venues Announce Reopening
As the percentage of COVID-19 vaccinations rises and as states loosen their restrictions for gatherings, several jazz clubs and venues are reopening not only to … Read More “U.S. Jazz Venues Announce Reopening”
Freda Payne: Coming Back to Jazz
Freda Payne didn’t expect to be known as a soul singer with a hit single that would resonate across decades. She wanted to be a … Read More “Freda Payne: Coming Back to Jazz”
Chops: Branford Marsalis and Howard Alden on Ghost Performances in Movies
The history of jazz musicians “ghosting” parts in films for non-playing actors is a long and storied one, from Nat Adderley playing the trumpet for … Read More “Chops: Branford Marsalis and Howard Alden on Ghost Performances in Movies”
Newvelle Records Launches Weekly Concert Series
Newvelle Records is producing a streaming concert series on Friday nights in April that will feature a dozen noted artists performing live from a recording … Read More “Newvelle Records Launches Weekly Concert Series”
Jazz Featured on The Ed Sullivan Show’s YouTube Channel in April
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and all month long the official YouTube channel of The Ed Sullivan Show will feature jazz segments from the famous … Read More “Jazz Featured on The Ed Sullivan Show’s YouTube Channel in April”
Deadline Extended for Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Auditions
The Monterey Jazz Festival is looking for a few good young jazz musicians. Actually, they’re looking for 21 good young jazz musicians for the 2021 … Read More “Deadline Extended for Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Auditions”
Chops: Teaching Adults to Play Jazz
This column usually focuses on the needs of more advanced or professional musicians. But what about all of us jazz fans who don’t play an … Read More “Chops: Teaching Adults to Play Jazz”
Branford Marsalis Brings Authenticity to Adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
For the acclaimed Netflix film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Branford Marsalis played an outsized role, albeit offscreen, in bringing August Wilson’s award-winning play to a … Read More “Branford Marsalis Brings Authenticity to Adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom“
JazzTimes 10: Best Ghost Performances by Jazz Musicians in Films
The history of jazz musicians “ghost-playing” parts in films for non-playing actors is a long and storied one. For every Jamie Foxx (who did play … Read More “JazzTimes 10: Best Ghost Performances by Jazz Musicians in Films”
Berks Jazz Fest Announces Lineup for August Event
Like many jazz festivals, the Berks Jazz Fest has had to do some serious coronavirus-related pivoting. The 10-day event, usually held in early April in … Read More “Berks Jazz Fest Announces Lineup for August Event”
Six East Coast Jazz Clubs Band Together for One-Day Virtual Festival
It’s no secret that jazz clubs have suffered mightily during the pandemic, crippled by the inability to regularly present live music (and food and beverages) … Read More “Six East Coast Jazz Clubs Band Together for One-Day Virtual Festival”
Ramsey Lewis Resumes Saturday Salon Concert Series
Weary of the rigors of traveling, pianist Ramsey Lewis made the decision to “retire” in 2018. Some misinterpreted his stay-at-home policy as a retirement from … Read More “Ramsey Lewis Resumes Saturday Salon Concert Series”
OP vs. BE: Setting Up the Piano Trio
Ever since jazz piano trios became a thing, there have traditionally been two principal ways of setting up the piano, bass, and drums on stage. … Read More “OP vs. BE: Setting Up the Piano Trio”
13 Tips for Watching Online Jazz Shows
A short time ago, I spent one week—seven days and seven long nights—watching as many online jazz shows and events as I possibly could. I … Read More “13 Tips for Watching Online Jazz Shows”
JT 50: The History of JazzTimes
JazzTimes did not start with a proposal, prospectus, or PowerPoint presentation. There was no capital investment. There was no particular strategic plan. It didn’t even … Read More “JT 50: The History of JazzTimes“
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Seven
When I tell people that for seven days, I’m watching as many live streams of jazz shows as I can, they ask, “Where do you … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Seven”
Looking Back at Looking Back: Our Best Artist-to-Artist Interviews
Over the years, we learned that sometimes it was best to have a musician interview another musician, because there would be an instant ease and … Read More “Looking Back at Looking Back: Our Best Artist-to-Artist Interviews”
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Six
Only two shows tonight. Hey, don’t judge. It’s Tuesday night. As I’ve written before, everyone playing and presenting jazz goes for the Thursday-through-Sunday period; after … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Six”
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Five
It’s Day Five and boy, are my eyes tired. Not my ears, though. Tonight, thanks to a recommendation from John and Suzie Ernesto of the … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Five”
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Four
After Saturday night’s marathon online jazz session, I was happy to have only four streams planned; one fell through because of a ticketing snafu on … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Four”
JT50: The July/August 2016 Issue of JazzTimes
We’d been doing oral histories on legendary artists for several years before we decided, in 2016, to use that same format to talk about a … Read More “JT50: The July/August 2016 Issue of JazzTimes“
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Three
When I initially came up with the premise for this seven-day series on live streams of jazz performances online, I had this fantasy that I … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Three”
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Two
Fortified for binge-watching by a diet of Coca-Cola, red wine, seltzer (you have to hydrate at a festival, even indoor ones), and homemade ice cream … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day Two”
Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day One
You think you have screen fatigue? Try watching dozens of jazz shows online over the course of a week. That’s the assignment I foolishly took … Read More “Jazz Is Alive Online, or My Week of Listening Virtually: Day One”
Mark Ruffin: The Storied Intersection of Jazz, Baseball, and Race
This year marks the 40th year of Mark Ruffin’s career as a jazz broadcaster and writer. Since 2007, Ruffin has been the program director of … Read More “Mark Ruffin: The Storied Intersection of Jazz, Baseball, and Race”
The Best of Before & After: #TimesUp Edition
Our Before & After listening sessions have always been big reader favorites; according to our surveys, B&A is consistently one of the first sections of … Read More “The Best of Before & After: #TimesUp Edition”
Shirazette Tinnin Beats the Odds
The word “resilience” well describes the life and career of Shirazette Tinnin. During the course of her 41 years, the drummer, whose latest album Sonic … Read More “Shirazette Tinnin Beats the Odds”
What’s in a Name?
Recently we received a press release for a new recording by vocalist Mark Murphy called Hiding Place. We were excited to hear some new, perhaps … Read More “What’s in a Name?”