The voice of Ray Charles can take you on sweet journeys
The Artistry of… Ray Charles The voice is the voice of a storyteller — as engaging in a whisper as it is...
Christine Jensen lends her voice to future generations of jazz artists
The Artistry of… Christine Jensen Christine Jensen is a WIJO (Women in Jazz Organization) mentor. The WIJO mentor definition is simple and...
David Sanborn embodies the heart and soul of jazz and the blues
The Artistry of… David Sanborn Inspired jazz and blues as played by his heroes of the Chicago blues scene is the starting...
Julie London was the image of ‘50s feminine cool
The Artistry of… Julie London Memorable for the imagery of smoky sensuality and fifties feminine cool is the voice of the late...
Jimmy Scott had ‘more pain and prettiness’ than any other singer
The Artistry of… Jimmy Scott “As singers, we all deal in pain,” said Ray Charles. “We’re all trying to push the pain...
More than just a great singer, Al Jarreau was a vessel of pure emotion
The Artistry of… Al Jarreau Great singers are great storytellers. Al Jarreau was an anomaly — truly a human musical instrument. His...
Ian McDougall is one of Canada’s greatest jazz ambassadors
The Artistry of… Ian McDougall Canada is home to some of the best trombone players in the world. Names like William Carn,...
What is ‘retro’? For Tia Brazda, it’s about bringing the past into the present
The Artistry of… Tia Brazda What does it really mean when you can be described as having a retro style? I figure...
Blossom Dearie’s tiny voice reached around the world
The Artistry of… Blossom Dearie “She has a tiny voice,” said Whitney Balliett in The New Yorker. “Without a microphone it wouldn’t...
With his staggering musical output, David Hazeltine takes us on countless adventures
The Artistry of… David Hazeltine He’s a modern-day jazz piano artist. His is an artistry built on a set of combined components...
With his music, Brad Mehldau stops you in time and takes a gentle hold
The Artistry of… Brad Mehldau He has performed as a trio-format player for many years. And although he’s at the piano as...
José James is at the forefront in jazz’s evolution
The Artistry of… José James Jose James’s centennial tribute album to Billie Holiday in 2015, Yesterday I Had the Blues, has been...
Oliver Jones is a Canadian cultural and jazz treasure
He is one of the city of Montreal’s favourite sons. He is a Canadian cultural and jazz treasure. There were a few...
Curtis Fuller is a father of the trombone’s jazz odyssey
The Artistry of… Curtis Fuller Over the years I’ve had friends and met many players who were trombonists. It’s an instrument I...
Terence Blanchard is a proud voice of the African diaspora
He may be one of the proudest sons of New Orleans. Proud of his Crescent City heritage, his love permeates everything he...
In the days of U.S. segregation, Louis Armstrong broke through
The Artistry of… Louis Armstrong He was a singular foundation influence on the uniqueness of jazz, America’s art music. He affected its...
Jazzmeia Horn is an ambassador for the riches of African-American artistry
The Artistry of… Jazzmeia Horn African-American is a unique culture, heritage, richness and essence. Jazzmeia Horn is a spirited artist-ambassador of the...
With a mosaic of influences, Allison Au is quintessentially Canadian
The Artistry of… Allison Au “Canada has found a new jazz ambassador,” says Lance Liddle of Bebop Spoken Here. Allison is as...
Melody Gardot’s boldest stand? Shying from perfection
The Artistry of… series is sponsored by the Alzheimer Society Music Project. The Artistry of… Melody Gardot Melody Gardot shies from perfection. That...
For Jeremy Pelt, the trumpet acts like a voice
The Artistry of… series is sponsored by the Alzheimer Society Music Project. The Artistry of… Jeremy Pelt His horn sounds like a...
Kamasi Washington brings together sounds and audiences of all kinds
The Artistry of… Kamasi Washington His artistry is all about the bridging. The word should only really be used for categorization, because...
John Beasley’s music reflects generosity of heart and soul
The Artistry of… series is sponsored by the Alzheimer Society Music Project. The Artistry of… John Beasley “Beasley, the one-time keyboardist for...
The beautiful heartache in Billie Holiday’s singing is what captivated us all
The Artistry of… series is sponsored by the Alzheimer Society Music Project. The Artistry of… Billie Holiday Eleanora Fagan – What’s in...