Dr. Lonnie Smith 1942 – 2021
Dr. Lonnie Smith, a Hammond B-3 organist who was a major stylist in the realm of soul jazz—and, later, one of the architects of acid … Read More “Dr. Lonnie Smith 1942 – 2021”
Michael J. West
Michael J. West is a jazz journalist in Washington, D.C. In addition to his work on the national and international jazz scenes, he has been covering D.C.’s local jazz community since 2009. He is also a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader, and as such spends most days either hunkered down at a screen or inside his very big headphones. He lives in Washington with his wife and two children.
Michael J. West on social media
Pee Wee Ellis 1941–2021
Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, a saxophonist, composer, and arranger who was best known for his work in funk and R&B but equally adept and revered … Read More “Pee Wee Ellis 1941–2021”
Bassist Baron Browne Has Died at 61
Baron Browne, an accomplished electric bassist who made his deepest mark in the jazz-rock fusion realm, died early on the morning of September 2 at … Read More “Bassist Baron Browne Has Died at 61”
George Mraz 1944 – 2021
George Mraz, a Czech bassist who was widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz bassists of all time, died September 16. He was one … Read More “George Mraz 1944 – 2021”
Marc Cary: Life Lessons (Sessionheads United)
From the beginning of his 30-plus-year career, pianist/keyboardist Marc Cary has had an uncanny knack for sounding like the future. This holds true on Life … Read More “Marc Cary: Life Lessons (Sessionheads United)”
George Wein 1925 – 2021
George Wein, a pianist, producer, and impresario whose name became synonymous with the concept of the jazz festival, died September 13 at his home in … Read More “George Wein 1925 – 2021”
Phil Schaap 1951 – 2021
Phil Schaap, a radio broadcaster, record producer, educator, and historian whose knowledge of jazz was legendary in its breadth and detail, died September 7 in … Read More “Phil Schaap 1951 – 2021”
Peter Ind, British Bassist and Producer, Dies at 93
Peter Ind, a bassist, record producer, and venue owner whose seven-decade career made him a legend of British jazz, died August 20. He was one … Read More “Peter Ind, British Bassist and Producer, Dies at 93”
Larry Harlow 1939-2021
Larry Harlow, a pianist, composer, and producer who played a key role in the development of salsa music in the United States, died in the … Read More “Larry Harlow 1939-2021”
JazzTimes 10: Essential Erroll Garner Recordings
In June, the centennial of pianist Erroll Garner came and went with unfortunately little fanfare. And yet during his lifetime—he died in 1977, at the … Read More “JazzTimes 10: Essential Erroll Garner Recordings”
Jerry Granelli 1940–2021
Jerry Granelli, a jazz drummer and educator noted for his power and sensitivity both at and away from the drum kit, died July 20 at … Read More “Jerry Granelli 1940–2021”
Arthur “Juini” Booth 1948–2021
Juini Booth, a versatile and widely heralded bassist who worked with a vast swath of jazz artists over a career of nearly 60 years, died … Read More “Arthur “Juini” Booth 1948–2021”
Butcher Brown: Encore (Concord Jazz)
Clocking in at 15-and-a-half minutes, Richmond, Virginia-based quintet Butcher Brown’s Encore EP is shorter than some individual jazz solos, let alone tracks. Yet that tight … Read More “Butcher Brown: Encore (Concord Jazz)”
The Leopolis Jazz Fest: Back in the (Ex)-U.S.S.R.
This writer has always disliked first-person criticism. Readers don’t care about a writer’s subjective experience of art. The Leopolis Jazz Fest, however, has put me … Read More “The Leopolis Jazz Fest: Back in the (Ex)-U.S.S.R.”
Burton Greene 1937–2021
Burton Greene, an innovative and experimental pianist who helped to reconceive his instrument in the era of the avant-garde, died June 28 at his home … Read More “Burton Greene 1937–2021”
Jen Shyu Blends Just About Everything with Zero Grasses
Jen Shyu is slumped over a desk. As a green spotlight illuminates her long, dark hair and shoulders, a disembodied female voice imitates bird and … Read More “Jen Shyu Blends Just About Everything with Zero Grasses“
James Francies: Purest Form (Blue Note)
With his 2018 debut Flight, pianist James Francies signaled a fresh, contemporary, and potentially world-shaking vision for the next generation of jazz. Follow-up Purest Form … Read More “James Francies: Purest Form (Blue Note)”
JazzTimes 10: Essential Horace Silver Recordings
The sound that Horace Silver pioneered in the ’50s and ’60s—for a while, all but synonymous with the sound of Blue Note Records—is for many … Read More “JazzTimes 10: Essential Horace Silver Recordings”
Jeff Chambers, Beloved Bassist, Dies at 66
Jeff Chambers, a bassist who was regarded as one of the finest in the United States and an institution on the West Coast, died May … Read More “Jeff Chambers, Beloved Bassist, Dies at 66”
Strata-East Records: An Oral History
The rock world takes a lot of credit for what’s known as the “indie ethos,” or “DIY.” Circumventing the corporate music industry with small labels … Read More “Strata-East Records: An Oral History”
Norman Simmons, Accompanist Extraordinaire, Dies at 91
Norman Simmons, a pianist, composer, arranger, and educator who was best known and celebrated as an accompanist for jazz singers, died May 13 in Mesa, … Read More “Norman Simmons, Accompanist Extraordinaire, Dies at 91”
Mario Pavone 1940–2021
Mario Pavone, a bassist, composer, and bandleader who came to music late but spent half a century exploring the cutting edge of jazz, died May … Read More “Mario Pavone 1940–2021”
Bob Koester, Prime Mover of Chicago Jazz, Dies at 88
Bob Koester, a linchpin of the Chicago jazz community who founded both its oldest independent record label and its most beloved retail shop, died May … Read More “Bob Koester, Prime Mover of Chicago Jazz, Dies at 88”
Curtis Fuller 1932–2021
Curtis Fuller, a trombonist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master who was a key player in cultivating bebop language on his instrument, died May 8 in … Read More “Curtis Fuller 1932–2021”
Journalist and Historian W. Royal Stokes Dies at 90
W. Royal Stokes, a jazz critic, historian, and former editor of JazzTimes from 1988 to 1990, died May 1 at his home in Elkins, West … Read More “Journalist and Historian W. Royal Stokes Dies at 90”
Broadcaster and Record Executive Eulis Cathey Dies at 67
Eulis Cathey, a record executive and radio broadcaster who was known for his long stints both at WBGO radio in New Jersey and at SiriusXM … Read More “Broadcaster and Record Executive Eulis Cathey Dies at 67”
Remembering Bob Porter (1940–2021)
Bob Porter, a Grammy Award-winning record producer, radio broadcaster, writer, and historian of jazz and blues, died April 10 at his home in Northvale, N.J. … Read More “Remembering Bob Porter (1940–2021)”
JazzTimes 10: Classic New Orleans Recordings
As anyone who has spent even an afternoon in New Orleans knows, that city’s traditional jazz has never gone away. But those of us who … Read More “JazzTimes 10: Classic New Orleans Recordings”
Sonny Simmons 1933–2021
Sonny Simmons, an alto saxophonist and English hornist who cut a unique and long-overlooked figure in the jazz avant-garde, died on April 6. He was … Read More “Sonny Simmons 1933–2021”
Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders/London Symphony Orchestra: Promises (Luaka Bop)
An album featuring electronic musician and DJ Floating Points (the nom de plume of Manchester, U.K. native Sam Shepherd), the intensity of jazz saxophone icon … Read More “Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders/London Symphony Orchestra: Promises (Luaka Bop)”