Art Farmer spoke the language of jazz
The Artistry of… Art Farmer A favourite and famous quote of Art Farmer goes this way: “What I try to do with...
Nina Simone had a staggeringly powerful presence
The Artistry of… Nina Simone When I was young, I used to love looking for the name Nina in Al Hirschfeld drawings...
Sammy Jackson is honest and vulnerable on With You
Sammy Jackson is a Canadian singer-songwriter who’s recognized for her distinct sound fusing elements of jazz, R&B and pop. She’s shared the...
The depths of Joni Mitchell, we may never fully know
The Artistry of… Joni Mitchell I think she would get a thrill knowing how she confounds and defies us. How the stories...
RCAF Streamliners: The Canadian big band on the front lines of the Second World War
Retired journalist and professor Andy Sparling has published a book that tells the story of the RCAF Streamliners, a big band formed...
The story of Veronica Foster, Canada’s precursor to Rosie the Riveter
Before Rosie the Riveter, there was Ronnie the Bren Gun Girl. Veronica Foster was just 19 when she began working in the...
Les McCann plays to the rhythm of life
Cy Coleman’s tune The Rhythm of Life, with lyrics by Dorothy Field, is a very groovy part of the musical Sweet Charity,...
The musical charisma of Anat Cohen
The Artistry of… Anat Cohen This quote from jazz writer Nat Hentoff says so much about the artist. Elements that define: “Anat...
Anna Poc taps into a range of emotion with new release York Boulevard
Anna Poc is a Hamilton-based jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter who has been performing at open mics and café gigs all across...
The voice of Bebel Gilberto is sweet, sensual and captivating
The Artistry of… Bebel Gilberto If emotions sang, they would sound like Bebel Gilberto. Bare, raw, sweet, sensual, intoxicating, captivating, arresting, and...
The best of Eliane Elias: Five albums by the pride of Brazilian jazz
Grammy-winning pianist, singer, composer and arranger Eliane Elias is one of Brazil's most successful and respected jazz artists...
Jazz trumpeter and educator Terell Stafford is a natural-born leader
The Artistry of… Terell Stafford I love it when accolades come from colleagues and friends of the artist. — recognition by peers,...
Have a jazzy Thanksgiving: Punny recipes from the jazz.fm91 cookbook
This Thanksgiving, we’re Carvin’ the Bird with recipes from the jazz.fm91 cookbook. We’re improvising on the classics and spicing them up with...
8 songs for a classy, jazzy Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving is, normally, a wonderful occasion. It’s a time for getting together with family and friends and giving thanks for the blessings...
Sonny Rollins does the grooviest kind of soul-searching
The Artistry of… Sonny Rollins Ninety-year-old Sonny Rollins is a spiritual man. His spirituality is a kind of connection with a way...
The best of Ray Charles: Five essential albums by the soul pioneer
Ray Charles integrated R&B, gospel, pop and country to produce mega-hits that blurred genre lines and created the distinctive sound of The Genius...
John Beasley has a fearless respect for the music
The Artistry of… John Beasley There’s nothing like high praise. Here’s some for John Beasley from the Los Angeles Times: “The one-time...
16 must-hear jazz solos and improvisations
It’s one of the defining elements of jazz. The art of improvisation is integral to the form, and it’s an essential skill...
The music of Avishai Cohen represents a cultural blend
The Artistry of… Avishai Cohen Creative strength comes from cultural blend. It’s the interaction of cultures intersecting through music, with woven melody,...
Great jazz tunes for the Labour Day weekend
Labour Day weekend is sometimes referred to as the last big hurrah before things go back to “normal.” Of course, these days...
Ornette Coleman was a crown jewel of jazz royalty
The Artistry of… Ornette Coleman In the many crowns of jazz royalty are many jewels — individuals who left lasting legacies on...
The sweet, nurturing artistry of Diana Krall
The Artistry of… Diana Krall This Dream of You is the latest recording by the multi-disciplined jazz artist Diana Krall. She is...
Charlie Parker at 100: Why the jazz legend’s artistry and influence have endured
Can a single person be a cultural revolution? By that, I mean one whose impact on culture was and is so significant...