The music of Lizz Wright is imbued with respect for the natural world
She’s a Southerner and there is a sensibility. A signature of grace under — and as a means of getting over and...
An original gentleman of jazz, Joe Williams was elegantly playful
The singer’s way carries you on a joyride through every turn and straightaway of a song’s story. He injected wit and flair,...
The music of Tomasz Stańko was defiantly free
The Polish-born trumpeter lived in the shadow of the spectre of the Soviet Union. His music confronted the domineering culture, confronted its presence,...
Jamie Cullum has a zest for the music
It’s like that line in the film When Harry Met Sally: the famous, titillating scene in the deli where the woman sitting nearby...
Rich Brown pays respect to the mysteries of sound
His name, like his music, is brazen texture. The music, the art, and the moods he creates all seem to come from...
The best of Stan Getz: Five essential albums by ‘The Sound’
Stan Getz was known for his warm, lyrical tone and signature style. These five records are among his most essential works....
Larry Goldings uses the many layers of musical storytelling
There is a lot of the phrase “can be heard on” in any profile of Larry Goldings, and that brilliantly speaks volumes...
With her guitar, Mimi Fox makes notes take flight
It’s as if her guitar strings are wings, wings that can carry you up so high that you are where the currents...
The jazz roots of Nujabes, a pioneer of ‘lofi hip hop’
In Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop. On the Internet, people interact with music in ways that...
The artistry of Alison Young is in always demanding more
There may be and may have been boys in the band, but they’ve never sounded such a beautiful kind of better than...
Laila Biali plays with the graceful spirit of jazz
These words come from a quote about Laila Biali from Downbeat Magazine: “Shimmering … arrangements are lush, and Biali’s voice — spanning...
The best of Sarah Vaughan: Five essential albums by ‘The Divine One’
Sarah Vaughan was said to have a voice that happens once in a lifetime. These five albums are among the very best of one of jazz's most revered singers....
How Ahmad Jamal inspired Nas, Kanye West and other hip-hop heavyweights
In Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop....
Alexis Baro plays the notes his soul meant to say
His soul sings the high notes and the low notes, and then all the juiciness and sweetness of the ones in between....
Jeremy Pelt’s artistry is an extension of heart and soul
Jeremy Pelt’s horn sounds like a voice. It is as if it instantly translates what he wants to say and what he...
The enduring influence of Jaco Pastorius’s Portrait of Tracy
In Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop. Samples in hip hop often have a hidden history. This...
As a jazz artist, Kyle Eastwood leads and supports all at once
About Kyle Eastwood’s album In Transit, these words from a quote from his website bio read this way: “Catchy and modern … the...
The music of Bob James shaped several generations of hip-hop artists
In Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop. The 1970s were a pivotal decade in music, especially for...
The best of Dick Hyman: Five essential albums by a master of keys
Dick Hyman has recorded more than 100 albums, including solo piano, jazz, electronic and orchestral music. These five records exemplify his mastery....
Lorne Lofsky exhibits and nurtures the sound of Toronto jazz
Toronto has been, and continues to be, one of the most significant incubators of some of the best jazz musicians in the...
25 must-hear artists in the worlds of soul, funk, R&B, gospel and more
This article was originally published by FYIMusicNews. One advantage to having a three-hour radio show is the exposure to artists of many persuasions...
If love had a canvas, Ella Fitzgerald would be it
The Artistry of… Ella Fitzgerald If love had a canvas, that canvas would be Ella. If colours were the sounds of music,...
Guru’s Jazzmatazz brought hip hop and jazz closer together than ever
In Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop. The connection between jazz and hip hop is often thought...