Esbjörn Svensson’s Secret Solo Album
The tragic 2008 scuba-diving death of Swedish pianist Esbjörn Svensson also marked the sudden end of one of Europe’s most popular contemporary jazz outfits, the … Read More “Esbjörn Svensson’s Secret Solo Album”
Profiles
Catch up on the careers of the music’s greatest and latest artists.
Abel Aranda’s Jazz Journey
One year after Abel Aranda started studying guitar at the local church in his home city of Villahermosa, Mexico, his teacher played him Michael Brecker’s … Read More “Abel Aranda’s Jazz Journey”
Sonny Rollins at the Turning Point
Toward the end of the 1950s, the already renowned tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins managed to kick his addiction to heroin. But he soon realized that … Read More “Sonny Rollins at the Turning Point”
Daniela Soledade Introduces Herself
North American jazz fans are just starting to learn the name Daniela Soledade, but in Brazil, where she was born and raised through her early … Read More “Daniela Soledade Introduces Herself”
Antonio Sánchez: Not Such a Bad Hombre After All
I can personally testify that Antonio Sánchez, who adopted the sobriquet “Bad Hombre” several years ago for a solo drums-and-electronics album, is a truly nice … Read More “Antonio Sánchez: Not Such a Bad Hombre After All”
Jakob Bro & Joe Lovano: With Motian as Muse
On November 22, 2021, some of the late Paul Motian’s close friends converged on the Village Recording studio in Copenhagen. Guitarist Jakob Bro and tenor … Read More “Jakob Bro & Joe Lovano: With Motian as Muse”
Denardo Coleman: Like Father, Like Son
Before we enter the current world of drummer, producer, and curator Denardo Coleman, a funny story from the past. In 1996, the year after the … Read More “Denardo Coleman: Like Father, Like Son”
Memories of a Sinatra Watershed
The Frank Sinatra of 1969 was a different man from the bobby-sox days of “The Voice,” the 1950s Capitol Records peak, and even the Rat … Read More “Memories of a Sinatra Watershed”
The Story Behind Wynton Marsalis’ Debut Album
The impact of Wynton Marsalis’ self-titled debut is immeasurable. Released 40 years ago, the album introduced the wider jazz world to a preening trumpeter from … Read More “The Story Behind Wynton Marsalis’ Debut Album”
