jazz
South African jazz pianist and healer Nduduzo Makhathini performed a five-part spiritual jazz suite titled Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite for NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Accompanied by bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere and drummer Kabelo Mokhatla, Makhathini fused Zulu vocal reflections, ritualistic elements, and ancestral themes into a deeply meditative performance. Each movement in the suite […]
Charlie Burrell, known as the “Jackie Robinson of music,” has passed away at 104. As the first Black member of the Denver and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras, Burrell broke racial barriers in classical music. A jazz collaborator with legends like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Burrell was also a WWII veteran and educator who mentored […]
Bass legend Stanley Clarke lit up NPR’s Tiny Desk with a dynamic performance honoring Black Music Month. Backed by his new band 4EVER, Clarke showcased his signature mastery through classics like “Song to John” and “School Days.” The performance blended electric and acoustic brilliance, while spotlighting young, gifted collaborators like violinist Evan Garr and keyboardist […]
As Black Music Month unfolds, it’s vital to spotlight unsung pioneers who shaped the soundscape of American music. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who blended gospel and early rock, to avant-garde composer Julius Eastman, these artists transcended genres and social barriers. Max Roach turned jazz into civil rights protest with “We Insist!,” while Weldon Irvine’s compositions […]
British actor Damson Idris will portray jazz legend Miles Davis in the upcoming film Miles & Juliette, set in post-WWII Paris. The film centers on Davis’s transformative love affair with French actress and singer Juliette Gréco, played by Anamaria Vartolomei. Directed by Bill Pohlad and produced by Mick Jagger, the film explores the early years […]
Mr. “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” Roy Ayers, the vibraphonist, composer and jazz-funk pioneer behind ,” has died at the age of 84. Roy Ayers died Tuesday in New York City after a long illness, according to a statement shared on his Facebook page. Ayers was born in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 1940, to a […]
Downtown Rochester has been given a fresh dose of excitement with the arrival of a new eatery and lounge. Astor on Main held its grand opening yesterday, located within the Hyatt Regency. With a promise of weekly live performances throughout the year, Astor on Main is sure to captivate visitors. Their menu blends comfort food […]
Sad news to pass along singer and songwriter Bobby Caldwell dies at age 71 from an illness he dealt with for years. died in his sleep Tuesday night at home in New Jersey. Bobby Caldwell was known for his biggest song back in 1979 “What you won’t do for love”.
The multi-Grammy Award winner Usher is set to executive produce New Orleans-Set Jazz Age Series ‘Storyville’. The new series is about the birth of the Jazz Age in development from Starlings Television. “Storyville” is set in New Orleans and follows the tale of five brothel madams as they fight to control the red light district. […]
You like jazz? Free jazz concerts at Ontario Beach have just begun! Last night, Jazz 90.1, a radio station owned by the Greece School District, joined the Ontario Beach Park Program for a jazz concert in the Arbor at the Port. These free concerts will take place on the second Tuesday of every month through […]
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