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...
The best of Frank Sinatra: Five essential albums from the iconic singer
Frank Sinatra was one of the best performers of all time. These five must-hear records are among the many that capture the magic of Ol' Blue Eyes....
Rosemary Clooney moulded American popular song
The Artistry of… Rosemary Clooney I think nothing provides more escape or sweetness of distraction like the expanse of the American popular...
How hip-hop producer Madlib helped Blue Note further the legacy of jazz
In the new digital series Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop. Founded by Alfred Lion and Frank...
The best of Oscar Peterson: Five essential albums by the master pianist
Oscar Peterson is one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. Out of more than 200 recordings to his name, here are five standouts from the Canadian legend...
How Herbie Hancock inspired J Dilla and Slum Village — without even knowing it
This is the first entry in a digital series called Lifted, in which Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and...
With the guitar, Julian Lage speaks with a memorable voice
The Artistry of… Julian Lage If I had a memorable voice and I could play the guitar I would want to be...
Herlin Riley’s artistry is guided by optimism and positivity
The Artistry of… Herlin Riley Optimistic positivity: The phrase says loudly and clearly the state of artistic affairs of drummer Herlin Riley....
The best of Julian Lage: Five essential albums by the prodigious guitarist
Out of an impressively extensive body of work at such a young age, these five albums stand out among the best examples of Julian Lage's artistry...
On stage and on the air, Marian McPartland was an engaging storyteller
The Artistry of… Marian McPartland Marian McPartland was a consummate storyteller who engaged listeners as a radio program host and jazz pianist...
Warren Wolf embodies jazz’s legacy and its renaissance
The Artistry of… Warren Wolf Warren Wolf’s canvas is the horizon-free breadth of the multimedia jazz artist. His palette is weighty with...
Annabelle Chvostek talks cross-cultural new album String of Pearls
Annabelle Chvostek is a Toronto-based singer, composer and producer whose music harkens back to the grittiness of 1930s tango, vaudeville and swinging...
Jean-Michel Pilc plays with an unobstructed view of music and harmony
The Artistry of… Jean-Michel Pilc Paris-born Jean-Michel Pilc’s artistry comes from an expansive imagination and a fearless sensibility of musical exploration. He...
Holly Cole’s artistry leaves an impression
The Artistry of… Holly Cole Sometimes when I hear her sing, I feel like I can see clearly across a wide expanse...
Joe Henderson played with freedom and liberty
The Artistry of… Joe Henderson The stellar tenor sax man had the buoyancy of family support behind him and his interest in...
A guide to some of the best jazz on Bandcamp
Since the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out musicians’ ability to play live concerts — and, in effect, to make most of their earnings...
Veronica Swift possesses a welcome sense of originality
The Artistry of… Veronica Swift Imagine a little gentle mischief; the ability to conjure an audacious calm; fearlessness, but without flouting respect;...
With his trumpet, Terell Stafford steps fearlessly into the fray
The Artistry of… Terell Stafford I love it when accolades come from colleagues and friends of the art — recognition by peers,...
Vocalist Sheri Weldon shows her love of bebop with Shorty & The Giants
Vocalist, pianist and arranger Sheri Weldon began her musical journey by listening to Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and the music of the...
Musical variety is the key to Jack DeJohnette’s artistry
The Artistry of… Jack DeJohnette The foundations of Jack DeJohnette’s artistry are in formal classical music training started at an early age....
The best of Dave Brubeck: Five essential albums that aren’t Time Out
With Time Out, the Dave Brubeck Quartet helped shape the sound of their era. Here are five deeper cuts that you need to hear....
Jane Bunnett embodies the spirit of cultural diversity
The Artistry of… Jane Bunnett There is a welcome and infectious Canadian spirit of curiosity. It is rich in inclusion and discovery...
Tony Bennett is a great treasure of American music
The Artistry of… Tony Bennett Tony Bennett’s career of 70-plus years is halted by the ravages of the onset of tragic cognitive...
