Justin Hurwitz earns Oscar nomination for Babylon soundtrack
Justin Hurwitz has earned another Academy Award nomination for best original score for his work on the film Babylon. This is the fourth...
Mike LeDonne and Eric Alexander lead new sextet The Heavy Hitters
Pianist Mike LeDonne and tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander co-lead a new sextet called The Heavy Hitters that calls upon “the timelessness of...
William Carn makes a stylistic departure on new album Choices
William Carn has announced his new album Choices, marking a “major stylistic departure” for the Toronto-based trombonist and composer. Together with his wife, saxophonist Tara...
Kurt Elling sings Al Jarreau, AC/DC and more on covers EP
Grammy-winning vocalist Kurt Elling has announced a new release that features his covers of songs by Al Jarreau, Sam & Dave, AC/DC...
Samara Joy and Terri Lyne Carrington among 2023 NAACP Image Awards nominees
Samara Joy and Terri Lyne Carrington are among the jazz artists nominated for this year’s NAACP Image Awards. The annual awards ceremony...
New documentary traces life and career of pianist Dave McKenna
A new documentary film tells the life story of jazz pianist Dave McKenna. Directed by Greg Mallozzi, The Key Man: Dave McKenna is...
Joni Mitchell to be awarded 2023 Gershwin Prize
The United States Library of Congress has awarded Joni Mitchell the 2023 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The revered Canadian singer-songwriter will...
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque share details of new album Playing With Fire
Last year, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque teased a new album. Now, we have details on the group’s forthcoming release. The Juno-winning, Grammy-nominated...
Christian McBride’s New Jawn announces second album Prime
Christian McBride’s New Jawn is back with Prime, the quartet’s highly anticipated sophomore album. Led by the eight-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer, the...
Bobby McFerrin to receive Grammy Award for lifetime achievement
Bobby McFerrin is one of several music icons to receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. A 10-time Grammy winner,...
Guitarist Matt Greenwood readies debut album Atlas
Guitarist and composer Matt Greenwood is carving out a new sound in Toronto’s jazz scene with his debut album Atlas. Originally from...
Fred Hersch and Esperanza Spalding show their chemistry on Alive at the Village Vanguard
Pianist Fred Hersch and bassist Esperanza Spalding pair up on a new duo recording called Alive at the Village Vanguard. Both musicians are...
Dave Liebman enters his free-improv phase with new album Live at Smalls
Dave Liebman showcases his daring virtuosity in a new free-jazz recording called Live at Smalls. The 75-minute set finds the soprano saxophonist in...
Joe Locke announces new quartet album Makram
Vibraphonist Joe Locke plays a mix of soul, swing and world music on his latest album Makram. For this recording, Locke’s quartet features pianist...
Terri Lyne Carrington publishes children’s book called Three of a Kind
Terri Lyne Carrington has published her first nonfiction children’s book called Three of a Kind. The book is an illustrated poem that’s centred...
John Beasley shares first Christmas album Holidaze
Grammy-winning pianist John Beasley interprets eight holiday classics on Holidaze, his first Christmas album. Beasley is joined by drummer Christian Euman and bassist Edwin...
For Avataar, uniqueness can be a blessing and a curse
Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and that adds a uniqueness that’s reflected in our neighbourhoods,...
Jon Batiste named to Juilliard’s board of trustees
The trustees of The Juilliard School have welcomed Jon Batiste as one of their newest members. Batiste and violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, both...
Alex Bird and Ewen Farncombe team up on moody album Songwriter
The Juno-nominated jazz duo of vocalist Alex Bird and pianist Ewen Farncombe have just released a new album of all-original material called Songwriter....
What Mike Murley and Hannah Barstow learned from each other
Since Mike Murley came to Toronto in 1981 from his home in Nova Scotia, he’s been part of many, many jazz milestones...
Frank Sinatra stage musical in the works
A new stage musical about legendary jazz vocalist Frank Sinatra is currently in development. The project is being headed by Universal Music Group...
German filmmaker premieres John Scofield documentary
A new documentary about John Scofield is out Friday. Directed by Joerg Steineck, Inside Scofield offers an in-depth portrayal of the life of the...
Lisa Fischer can sing just about anything
I have said this on more than one occasion: When God created the perfect singer, the result is Lisa Fischer. Her instrument...