Sharon Preston-Folta on her father Louis Armstrong’s legacy: ‘With all of his greatness, he was human’
Louis Armstrong was known for many things when it comes to his music: natural creativity, showmanship, sense of humour, incredible ear, strong...
Norah Jones talks new Christmas album: ‘I needed to lift my own spirits’
Norah Jones has been a steady voice of warmth and reassurance for nearly 20 years. Now, the nine-time Grammy winner and platinum-selling...
In her unique way, Molly Johnson brings joy to the holiday season
"Not everybody in Canada celebrates Christmas, but we all celebrate light, love, family and joy. I tried to really put that into this new record."...
Irma Thomas tells her life story in new documentary
Irma Thomas is so familiar to the people of New Orleans, her music such a part of the local lexicon, that she...
Oscar Peterson: A bridge between the past and present of jazz
This article was originally published by FYIMusicNews. I spent the past week sifting through cassettes of past interviews, some dating back to...
Jon Cleary’s journey from a rural U.K. village to the Crescent City
Jon Cleary’s love and affinity for New Orleans music goes back to the rural British village of Cranbrook, Kent, where he was...
Barry Elmes celebrates 30 years of his quintet
Barry Elmes is a mainstay of the Toronto jazz scene. The drummer, composer, bandleader, educator and owner of the independent record label...
Director Barry Avrich on the making of his Oscar Peterson documentary
Barry Avrich is the writer, director and executive producer of Oscar Peterson: Black + White. The documentary had its world premiere at...
Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz talk new album What to Wear in the Dark
It was several years ago that I first discovered the music of Kate McGarry and I was instantly captured by not only...
How Flora Purim came to be ‘the queen of Brazilian jazz’
Flora Purim has been called “the queen of Brazilian jazz.” There’s a good reason for that. The singer was a founding member...
How Arturo O’Farrill brought the world together with Virtual Birdland
Over the past year, Arturo O’Farrill turned an incredibly challenging time for musicians into likely the most ambitious recording project of his...
Patricia Barber is always moving forward
It’s hard to know exactly how to introduce Patricia Barber. To some, she’s a composer, adding her impressive and important voice to...
How major life events shaped Andy Milne’s music
Growing up as a young music student in Ontario, Andy Milne thought the Junos were possibly unrelated to his musical world —...
Regina Carter is upholding Geri Allen’s passion for music education
Over the past few decades, we’ve seen jazz education move from the bandstand to the classroom — and we’ve watched women move...
Alex Cuba goes bigger than ever with Mendó
On his latest album Mendó, Alex Cuba went bigger than ever, reaching across the world to collaborate with some of Latin music’s...
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...
Daymé Arocena stays in touch with her Havana roots
Visionary vocalist and composer Daymé Arocena has been staying deeply in touch with her Havana roots. Once described as Cuba’s “finest young female...
Dumpstaphunk’s Ivan Neville on new album Where Do We Go From Here: ‘We’ve got to ask this question’
The newest album by New Orleans funk powerhouse Dumpstaphunk is likely the most timely, powerful and politically pointed of their career. Where...
Michael Kaeshammer approaching new studio album with patience, positivity
Pianist, vocalist and composer Michael Kaeshammer is one of Canada’s most dynamic performers. He has recorded 13 albums as a leader, he’s...
Jane Monheit on new album Come What May: ‘It was a total joy to make this record’
She’s considered one of the best in the world, combining virtuosity and technical ability with tone, artistry and creativity — not to...
Elio Villafranca leads a new generation of Cuban jazz pianists
Elio Villafranca is at the forefront of the latest generation of remarkable Cuban pianists and composers. Since arriving in the U.S. in...
What Melody Gardot learned from making Sunset in the Blue: ‘Our options are limitless now’
Singer, songwriter and interpreter Melody Gardot has been making major waves and garnering an ever-growing fanbase since she released her first album...
Joel Visentin and Curtis Nowosad team up as Jester Champwick
Winnipeg-raised keyboardist and composer Joel Visentin has been a staple of the Toronto music scene for many years. Having led the soul-jazz...