Review: The DC Jazz Festival Keeps On Adapting
I had hoped to report on the 2021 edition of the DC Jazz Festival without using the word “pivot,” a term that was already overused … Read More “Review: The DC Jazz Festival Keeps On Adapting”
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
Sarah Wilson: Parallel Paths Converge
For her entire career, trumpeter, singer, and composer Sarah Wilson has been wrestling with apparently separate pursuits: trumpet vs. voice; living and working in New … Read More “Sarah Wilson: Parallel Paths Converge”
Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 4: Taking Uptown Downtown
For my final day of jazz concertgoing in New York City, I went to two very different venues and performances. The first stop was uptown, … Read More “Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 4: Taking Uptown Downtown”
Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 3: It Takes a Village
Heading into the third day of my mini-marathon of live jazz shows in New York City, I felt both energized and exhausted. Energized by seeing … Read More “Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 3: It Takes a Village”
Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 2: From the Bronx to Brooklyn
Sunday, the second day of my mini-marathon of live jazz shows in New York City, started early, at least for a jazz person. I was … Read More “Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 2: From the Bronx to Brooklyn”
Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 1
With so many New York jazz clubs and venues now reopening their doors to more than just black-garbed audio and video production people for live … Read More “Live Jazz Returns to NYC, Part 1”
The Kennedy Center Announces Resumption of Live Jazz Programming
Count the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as yet another large-scale organization that’s resuming its live jazz programming after … Read More “The Kennedy Center Announces Resumption of Live Jazz Programming”
DC Jazz Festival Names Finalists for DCJazzPrix Competition
The DC Jazz Festival organization has announced the finalists for its DCJazzPrix Competition, to be held on Sept. 5 as part of the weekend-long festival. … Read More “DC Jazz Festival Names Finalists for DCJazzPrix Competition”
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”
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”