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...
Cha Wa exude the energy of New Orleans street culture
Crossing a New Orleans brass band with a Mardi Gras Indian outfit, Cha Wa exude the energy of the city’s street culture....
John Pizzarelli talks new album Better Days Ahead, inspired by Pat Metheny
John Pizzarelli has just released a new album called Better Days Ahead, a solo guitar recording that strips down the music of Pat Metheny....
Jazz historian Ricky Riccardi documents the rich legacy of Louis Armstrong
When Ricky Riccardi was growing up in Toms River, N.J., in the 1990s, most kids his age were digging George Michael or...
Caity Gyorgy talks musical beginnings and latest record Now Pronouncing
Caity Gyorgy has been making waves in the jazz world over the last few years. Currently splitting her time between Toronto and Montreal,...
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...
George Porter Jr. talks new Runnin’ Pardners album Crying for Hope
An esteemed member of New Orleans’s musical royalty, George Porter Jr. founded The Meters in 1965 alongside Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli and...
Holly Cole talks new album Montreal, concert at El Mocambo
Holly Cole is one of Canada’s most acclaimed jazz vocalists. She has sold hundreds of thousands of records, toured the world and...
Guitarist Lorne Lofsky talks This Song Is New, his first album in 25 years
This article was originally published by FYIMusicNews. Most young players long for that participatory dream moment when opportunity permits and the confidence...
Harry Connick Jr. talks new album Alone With My Faith: ‘I didn’t expect it to be this emotional’
If you ask five Harry Connick Jr. fans why they love him, you may get five different answers. Broadway, television, movies, hosting....
Saxophonist Jesse Ryan on debut album Bridges: ‘It connects people’
The debut recording by saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan is an eclectic and inspired album that brings together the sounds of North...
Thomas Steele makes his own mark on big-band jazz
Thomas Steele is a Toronto-based saxophonist, composer and educator who has performed across Canada in both big bands and smaller jazz ensembles,...
Jon Batiste talks new album We Are: ‘This is just the beginning’
Jon Batiste is the perfect musician for these times. If you haven’t heard what he’s been doing lately, you haven’t been paying...
Joanna Majoko on her ‘empowering’ solo debut, No Holding Back
Vocalist, composer and bandleader Joanna Majoko has built a reputation as one of Canada’s most exciting young singers. Born in Germany, she moved...
Thompson Egbo-Egbo on filling Oscar Peterson’s shoes
Oscar Peterson is one of Canada’s most honoured musicians and widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time....
Daniel Lanois turns yet another page
Let me tell you something about Daniel Lanois. Whether crafting ambient records with Brian Eno, making rock ‘n’ roll history with U2...
Tony Bennett: An archival interview with the legendary vocalist
This article was originally published by FYIMusicNews. It’s heartbreaking anytime news comes revealing one of our heroes is being robbed of their...
Jazz saxophonist Cory Weeds taps into the sounds of Italy
Canadian saxophonist and bandleader Cory Weeds teamed up with one of today’s preeminent organ bands to record a blistering set of Italian-themed...
For pianist Dave Restivo, home is almost anywhere
Dave Restivo is one of Canada’s great pianists. The award-winning musician is a former member of both Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass and...