Adrean Farrugia is a respectful artist and a passionate teacher
The Artistry of… Adrean Farrugia Art is precious. Pianist Adrean Farrugia is an artist. He treats music with respect. He is generous,...
With people like Jamie Cullum, jazz is going to be alright
The Artistry of… Jamie Cullum He brings an energy to jazz that says, “You’ve got to check this out.” Whether it is...
Kurt Rosenwinkel has a healthy dose of artistic audacity
The Artistry of… Kurt Rosenwinkel He is a proud native of the city of Philadelphia, a proud alumnus of the Philadelphia High...
Lester Young spoke the language of jazz
The Artistry of… Lester Young Lester Young became famous playing in the Basie Orchestra but was clear about not liking the big-band...
It’s a privilege to hear a story told the Kat Edmonson way
The Artistry of… Kat Edmonson Kat Edmonson doesn’t sound like anyone else — and she shouldn’t. She is as genuine and as...
Roxy Coss makes music of honesty and activism
The Artistry of… Roxy Coss She is an artist who does not mince words, and she doesn’t mince the music she makes,...
Grant Green’s playing was like a bird soaring through the sky
The Artistry of… Grant Green Imagine a great winged bird coolly carried high above by buoying, rising currents, and then imagine the...
When Kevin Mahogany sang, he sang you a story
The Artistry of… Kevin Mahogany When Kevin Mahogany sang, he sang you a story. As I listen to his voice, I imagine...
The pride in Mike Herriott’s playing is infectious
The Artistry of… Mike Herriott Mike Herriott is an all-Canadian. A standout trumpeter, a Newfoundland native. Like a music ambassador, he has...
Charles Lloyd is a master of contemporary sounds
The Artistry of… Charles Lloyd A PopMatters article says this about Charles Lloyd: “Despite early success, the recorded evidence is that Lloyd...
The voice of Denzal Sinclaire is filled with respect and integrity
The Artistry of… Denzal Sinclaire If you were to stir together the ingredients that make the way he sings so deliciously right,...
Anita O’Day captured the highs and lows of life
The Artistry of… Anita O’Day Highs and lows in voice and life. Defiant and fearless. She was known as “the Jezebel of...
When Kellylee Evans sings, you can’t help but listen
The Artistry of… Kellylee Evans Overcoming fantastic adversity and seeming impossible odds is a narrative far too many sadly have as part...
Antônio Carlos Jobim carried the essence of Brazil
The Artistry of… Antônio Carlos Jobim If you are known by one name, you are said to be mononymous. Antônio Carlos Jobim...
The spirituality of Cyrus Chestnut is the foundation of his music
The Artistry of… Cyrus Chestnut A TIME magazine music critic’s quote speaks volumes about Cyrus Chestnut’s artistry and personality: “What makes Chestnut the...
Charlie Haden helped change how the bass is played
The Artistry of… Charlie Haden Bass… The word defines depth and a richness of vastness. A way down there and grounded support....
The music of Miles Davis is full of surprise, shock and energy
The Artistry of… Miles Davis Miles Davis’s music is pure pleasure, pure excitement, full of surprise, shock and energy. The drummer Lenny...
With his guitar, Bill Frisell sounds like freedom
The Artistry of… Bill Frisell He sounds like freedom. I saw a scene with him recently on an HBO special called Carmine...
The artistry of Patricia Barber is in her rebellion
The Artistry of… Patricia Barber Imagine the creative audacity of uniqueness and wanting to write your own material — all of this...
Kenny Barron is made of magical moments
The Artistry of… Kenny Barron He is a master ensemble player, an inspirational bandleader, and commander of the piano keyboard. He has...
At the root of Larnell Lewis’s music is a kindhearted soul
The Artistry of… Larnell Lewis Larnell Lewis is an immense talent who has fierce creativity and a continually evolving musical style. His...
With respect for tradition, Stefon Harris strives for new and exciting
The Artistry of… Stefon Harris The LA Times has called him “one of the most important young artists in jazz.” “Stefon Harris...
Fun and groovy, Ramsey Lewis makes us all dance with him
The Artistry of… Ramsey Lewis There is a twinkle in his eyes. It is as bright today as it ever was. It...