September 2019

Our September issue is on sale now!
Highlights include:

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM 
This year the National Endowment for the Arts recognized what many music fans have known for decades: that pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim – born Adolph Brand in Cape Town, South Africa 84 years ago – is a Jazz Master. While in Washington, D.C. to receive the NEA’s honor, he kindly granted an audience to JT’s Michael West

JOHNNY HODGES AND BENNY CARTER 
They were the leading alto saxophonists of their era, great stylists whom modern players continue to study. But what did they think of each other? In an excerpt from his new Hodges biography Rabbit’s Blues, Con Chapman finds both respect and friction under the surface.

NILE RODGERS
You’re probably wondering what this guy’s doing here. Guitar legend, sure; disco maestro, absolutely; soundsmith to the stars, indubitably…but jazz musician? Well, as Ashley Kahn discovers in a captivating Q&A, without jazz Rodgers’ fabled pop career would have been very different. Plus: a tribute to the man who taught Nile (and many other guitarists), Ted Dunbar.

ART PEPPER
Forty years ago, saxophonists Art Pepper’s biography Straight Life was published. For T.J. English, it remains one of jazz’s most compelling memoirs, as well as one of its most unflattering. In this anniversary reconsideration, he argues that, among other things, this often-disturbing book might not have made it into print today.

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The Montreal Jazz Festival celebrates 40 years
Farewells to João Gilberto, Dr. John, Bo Leibowitz, and Lo Leathers  
The Scene: The Blue LLama opens in Ann Arbor
Chronology: Ethan Iverson on Mary Lou Williams 
JT Notes: Legends are people too

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A Before & After listening session with Miguel Zenõn
An Overdue Ovation for Carlos Lyra
Audio Files: Brent Butterworth on Bluetooth sound improvements
Chops: Pasquale Grasso and new release strategies
Gearhead: Gene Krupa, drum kit pioneer; plus products from RS Berkeley, Ludwig, Fender, and more
Artist’s Choice: Lafayette Gilchrist recalls musical epiphanies  

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Album reviews: Anat Cohen Tentet, Stan Getz, Matt Mitchell and many more