Departments

Shouts of “Maceo!” by James Brown, both onstage and on albums, preceded solos by saxophonist Maceo Parker from the 1960s to the 1980s, giving him … Read More “Maceo Parker: A Brand New Bag”

Having an icon such as Nina Simone as a mother, a music career should almost be a no-brainer. Then again, some musicians try to dissuade … Read More “Simone: Like Mother, Like Daughter”

He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton, opened the Apollo Theater in 1934 (with Benny Carter) and played with Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club. On … Read More “Lawrence Lucie: They Love Lucie”

Singer Roberta Gambarini tackles standards with a blend of virtuosity and fluid grace on Easy to Love (Groovin’ High/Kindred Rhythm). For those who have followed … Read More “Roberta Gambarini: Facile Amare”

Vocalist and bandleader Lisa Thorson is wheelchair bound, but when she performs with her quintet many people won’t even notice. Instead they’ll focus on the … Read More “Lisa Thorson’s JazzArtSigns: Unbound”

Sathima Bea Benjamin ought to share company with the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. Duke Ellington gave … Read More “Sathima Bea Benjamin: The Echo Returns”

The first 100 seconds of Spiral (Telarc), the third album by Hiromi, give the impression that the Japanese pianist might venture off into the ECM … Read More “Hiromi: Return of Piano World Champion”

Skalpel is the name under which Wroclaw, Poland’s Marcin Cichy and Igor Pudlo make their sample-heavy jazztronica. The duo’s second CD, Konfusion (Ninja Tune), mines … Read More “Skalpel’s Top 10 Polish Jazz Albums”

Bronx-raised Kip Hanrahan talks and talks and talks to me in a rapid-fire cadence as if he is trying to make up for lost time. … Read More “Kip Hanrahan: American Claveist”