Calgary vocalist Aimee-Jo Benoit is recognized for her unwavering commitment to featuring the works of Canadian songwriters in her repertoire while paying homage to the long standing Jazz tradition of creating a new canon. Over the past decade,she has become [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and pianist, composer and bandleader Marta Sanchez. Sanchez is out with a new album – her first leading a trio – titled Perpetual Void. Therein, she’s joined by bassist Christopher [...]
María Kim Grand is a Swiss-Argentinian tenor saxophonist and composer. She moved to New York in 2011 and quickly became the protégée of legendary musicians such as Billy Harper, and Antoine Roney, as well as NEA Jazz Master Von Freeman. [...]
In the latest of our series where musicians consider their idols or formative influences, Canadian musician and writer T Bruce Wittet (brief biography below*) writes about Jon Christensen Jon Christensen was a friend for many years until his death in [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin. Benjamin just spent a week as a special guest with the Late Show Band on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where Colbert [...]
Maren Selvaag is a Norwegian pianist and composer. She has collaborated with musicians including bassist Eivind Opsvick and drummer Eric McPherson. After completing her bachelors degree at the University of Trondheim, Maren continued to study, first a degree in composition [...]
The news of saxophonist David Sanborn’s death on 12 May 2024 at the age of 78 left many in the music world in sadness and shock. He had spent much of his life battling illness. Whether it was the serious [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and tenor saxophonist/bass clarinettist David Murray. His new album, Francesca, was released 17 May via Intakt Records, and features pianist Marta Sanchez, bassist Luke Stewart, and drummer Russell Carter. Links [...]
Jazz has famously been described as the sound of surprise, but Sumi Tonooka makes a vivid case for the way jazz careers can evolve in astonishing directions. As a veteran improviser, the Philadelphia pianist, composer, and bandleader knows all about [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and pianist/composer John Escreet. His next album, The Epicenter of Your Dreams, will be released 7 June 2024. It’s a second recorded outing with his trio, which includes double bassist [...]
American vocalist and songwriter Maci Miller has released five independent CDs and has had notable collaborations and licensing/publishing deals with Disney, as well as international jazz releases in Asia. She has worked with musicians including Jeremy Pelt, Aaron Graves and [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and pianist, vocalist and composer Kelly Green. Her new album, Seems, released 29 March, features flautist Elijah J. Thomas, bassist Luca Soul Rosenfeld, and drummer Evan Hyde, with several guest [...]
A Bay Area native, Laurie Antonioli is a vocalist and educator. She grew up hearing singers like Nancy King and Mark Murphy in person, resulting in a musical personality that is both steeped in the jazz vocal tradition while influenced [...]
In LJN’s series where musicians write about their inspirations and idols, guitarist and composer Jakub Klimiuk writes about Kurt Rosenwinkel. Rosenwinkel is undoubtedly the most influential contemporary jazz guitar player since Scofield and Metheny, and one of the most important [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and pianist/composer Kenny Barron: an NEA Jazz Master, a 13-time GRAMMY nominee, and a DownBeat Hall of Famer. His new album, Beyond this Place, features alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist [...]
American vocalist, composer and improviser Dominique Eade blends musical virtuosity with a songwriter’s straightforward emotional sensibility, creating music that has garnered critical acclaim, inspired audiences, and served as a creative signpost for generations of singers. Deemed “a fearless collaborator” by [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and pianist Andy Milne, who’s known as a solo artist as well as leader of the ensemble Dapp Theory. His new album Time Will Tell, which features his Unison trio, [...]
Gian Slater is a prolific vocalist and composer with an approach that incorporates wordless singing and improvisation, songwriting; electronics and extended vocal techniques; new music and contemporary composition and collaborations with theatre and dance practitioners. She has released eight albums [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and drummer Obed Calvaire. His new album, 150 Million Gold Francs, was released 12 April. It features alto saxophonist Godwin Louis, keyboardists Harold St. Louis and Sullivan Fortner, guitarist Dener Ceide, [...]
Pyeng Threadgill is an American vocalist, composer, author, video artist and voice and movement teacher. As a vocalist/performer she creates what she calls New Porch Music based on the traditions of Black American Folk, Soul, Jazz and improvisational music. Pyeng [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and composer, arranger and conductor Vince Mendoza, as well as drummer, composer and educator Douglas Marriner. Both are involved in four special concerts to honour the centenary of the Academy [...]
Pianist Andrea Keller grew up in Sydney, Australia. Committed to creating new music with an emphasis on improvisation and collaboration, she has released twenty-three albums as bandleader and has recorded for others, including the Black Arm Band Company, the Australian [...]
A Tokyo native, Meg Okura is a Grammy-nominated violinist and award-winning composer. With B.Mus. and M.Mus. degrees from the Juilliard School as a violin performance major, she made the difficult decision to switch to jazz upon graduation, going on to [...]
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and the superlative saxophonist, composer and educator Dayna Stephens. His upcoming album, Closer Than We Think, which releases 5 April via Cellar Music Group, features guitarist Emmanuel Michael, bassist Kanoa [...]
