Willard Jenkins has covered jazz artists, performances, and the jazz infrastructure since his early-’70s undergrad days writing for The Black Watch student newspaper at Kent State University. Additionally, he has been a jazz broadcaster since 1973— currently programming at WPFW in Washington, D.C.—and a jazz concerts and festivals presenter since 1978. He currently serves as artistic director of the DC Jazz Festival and artistic director of jazz programming at Tribeca Performing Arts Center (NYC). A founding member of the Jazz Journalists Association, he is also a recipient of its Lifetime Achievement award.
Willard Jenkins on social media
At the corner of 4th and I Streets in southwest Washington, D.C. is the welcoming, leafy-green walkway to the Westminster Presbyterian Church. This is Friday, … Read More “The Scene: Washington, D.C.’s Jazz Sanctuary”
Jakob Bro is a bearded, bespectacled 40-year-old Danish guitarist with an easy laugh. His latest recording is Returnings, released last March on ECM and featuring … Read More “Jakob Bro: Something Spacious in the State of Denmark”
A listening session with the Return to Forever powerhouse
Listening with a “resourceful and influential” drummer
Community and family define this NOLA program
Interview by Willard Jenkins with Dickie Habersham-Bey, former owner of the Brooklyn jazz club
Second part of Willard Jenkins’ interview with rap and hip hop innovator who talks about his personal and professional relationship with Max Roach
Part 1 of Willard Jenkins’ interview with rap and hip hop innovator about growing up around jazz in Brooklyn
In first of a two-part series, Willard Jenkins interviews people behind the scenes at the cooperative music and cultural center in Brooklyn
Here’s a singer who has mostly slipped past my radar. It won’t happen again. Allyson’s new CD is a very personal remembrance of the balladry … Read More “Karrin Allyson: Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane”
Were it not for small, independent labels like the Brazilian music-oriented Malandro (based in Cincinnati, of all places) deserving artists like guitarist Richard Boukas and … Read More “Richard Boukas/Jovino Santos Neto: Balaio”
Saddened by the same-week passing of Milt “Bags” Jackson, Art Farmer and pianist Manfredo Fest, Kenny Drew Jr. developed this tribute. Yes, yet another homage, … Read More “Kenny Jr. Drew Trio: Remembrance”
Charles Lloyd, whose curious career has found him initially embraced equal parts by the flower power crew and by those yearning for spiritual jazz expression, … Read More “Charles Lloyd: The Water is Wide”
On Contemporary Jazz, Branford Marsalis shows clear evidence that he’s far from satisfied in his quest for excellence on his horns and with his composer’s … Read More “Branford Marsalis Quartet: Contemporary Jazz”
David Weiss, nominal leader of this date, is reminiscent of Don Sickler. A skilled arranger, transcriber and all-round coordinator, Weiss also brings righteous trumpet chops … Read More “New Jazz Composers Octet: First Steps Into Reality”
Sam Yahel, as he did at the Monk Competition, appeals as a reflective, mature artist with a good sense of his skills and a tangible … Read More “Sam Yahel: In the Blink of an Eye”
Drummer dates can be hazardous to anyone for whom bombast and over-drumming are anathema. The raw power and spirit of Ralph Peterson remain admirable qualities. … Read More “Ralph Peterson: Back to Stay”
With Adonis Rose, Miles Davis’ mid-’60s quintet is the touchstone. The title stems what is essentially a Nicholas Payton quintet date with flipping the leadership … Read More “Adonis Rose: The Unity”
Sylvia Cuenca’s resume runs from the Vienna Art Orchestra to Clark Terry’s drummer of choice. Her impressive drive coupled with finesse has brightened numerous bandstands, … Read More “Sylvia Cuenca: The Crossing”
Ray Anderson tailgates down to New Orleans with this edition of his Pocket Brass Band, a brass band in miniature. He’s pared down the traditional … Read More “Ray Anderson: Pocket Brass Band”
It takes fortitude to buck convention, which suggests that an entire program of ballads just won’t make it in these swift, dot-com times. Fortitude, a … Read More “Mark Turner: Ballad Session”
Anyone expecting Terence Blanchard to rest on his laurels, comfortably ensconced in the lucrative world of motion picture scoring, better think again. Though his abiding … Read More “Terence Blanchard: Wandering Moon”
Evans’ confidence and facility are evident in the range of material and challenges he sets for himself on Grown Folks Bizness, and in his impressive … Read More “Orrin Evans Trio: Grown Folks Bizness”
A native of Philadelphia, where John Coltrane grew immeasurably as a musician, Sonny Fortune is one of those relentless, tireless saxophone improvisers who fell under … Read More “Sonny Fortune: In the Spirit of John Coltrane”
Payton delivers a program of largely originals, spiced by two additions from the band (Tim Warfield, saxes; Anthony Wonsey, piano; Reuben Rogers, bass; Adonis Rose, … Read More “Nicholas Payton: Nick @ Night”
Irvin’s band is enriched by the always complimentary Eric Reed on piano, and his frontline sound is capacious with the addition of Wes Anderson’s alto … Read More “Irvin Mayfield Sextet: Live at the Blue Note”
Originally recorded for the Cuban state label Egrem, this disc and the subsequent, and richly compelling Yemaya released by Blue Note last year, marked Chucho … Read More “Chucho Valdes/Irakere: Babalu Aye”
Still waitin’. Still waitin’ for that Vanessa Rubin breakthrough album, the one that lifts her vocal artistry and clear-cut swingability to the next level. Lord … Read More “Vanessa Rubin: Language of Love”
Did you ever gaze-or in the case of some prices, glaze might be the better term-at the growing number of boxed sets and anthologies in … Read More “Mongo Santamaria: Skin on Skin: The Mongo Santamaria Anthology (1958-1995)”
Known affectionately around Chicago jazz circles as “Vonski,” tenor man Von Freeman has long been the quintessential stay-at-home jazz master. This country is filled with … Read More “Chico Freeman Quartet: Von Freeman’s 75th Birthday Celebration”
