Short, often opinionated pieces by JazzTimes’ editor and other trusted contributors.
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”
My assignment for this month’s column was to write about Basra, the classic 1965 Blue Note album by drummer Pete “La Roca” Sims (1938-2012), so … Read More “Chronology: Steve Swallow Remembers Pete La Roca”
In September, the jazz community was rocked by the near-simultaneous passings of pianists Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, and Richard Wyands. Each night during his week … Read More “Chronology: Remembering Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, and Richard Wyands”
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”
My original plans for this issue hadn’t called for Buster Williams and Eddie Henderson to be sharing feature space. But since fate dictated otherwise, it … Read More “JT Notes: Buster Williams and Eddie Henderson”
Were it possible to measure the weight of a band’s sound, I’m not sure you could find a greater scale-tipper than the Count Basie Orchestra … Read More “Walter Page: Freedom Bass Dance”
Ron Carter is the most recorded bassist in history, on more than 2,200 sessions, over 50 of them as a leader or co-leader. Three of … Read More “Chronology: Ron Carter Leaves “Stadium Jazz” Behind”
At a press conference five hours after the World Trade Center’s twin towers fell on September 11, 2001, Rudy Giuliani, then the mayor of New … Read More “JT Notes: Honoring the Departed of 2020”
