In memory of Norm Amadio, a central figure of Canadian jazz history
Canadian pianist Norm Amadio, who led the way in establishing Toronto’s jazz scene and came to be known as one of the...
The not-so-secret stories of Kurt Elling
Kurt Elling has been described as combining “authenticity with stunning originality” by The Wall Street Journal, “the closest jazz will ever get to having...
Jazz legend Jimmy Heath dies at age 93
Jimmy Heath, the illustrious saxophonist who helped carry the bebop sound into the 21st century, has died. He was 93. Heath was...
In photos: Larnell Lewis leaves a Toronto audience in awe
This was a show for the ages. Drummer and composer Larnell Lewis had the crowd’s full attention with an emotionally moving performance....
Four Toronto jazz projects win support from TD Discovery Series
Four projects by Toronto jazz artists are receiving additional support for their work after being chosen as the latest winners of the...
Rush drummer Neil Peart dies at age 67
Neil Peart has died at age 67. As the drummer and primary lyricist of the iconic Canadian band Rush, he was known...
What artist was your gateway to jazz?
You probably have a story about the very first time you were introduced to the music you love the most. Some of...
In photos: Russ Little and friends celebrate the Christmas season
This Christmas season, the mood was merry and the groove was cool. Songs from many of our favourite holiday films were the...
Jazz guitarist Vic Juris dies following cancer diagnosis
Jazz guitarist Vic Juris, best known for his long-running role in David Liebman’s band, has died. He was 66. Six months before...
Year in review: 10 of the best jazz albums of 2019
Another year of great music is in the books. Jazz seemed to be all over the place this year — and that...
In photos: Jackie Richardson shines at Heather Bambrick’s holiday kitchen party
It’s not quite the holidays without Heather Bambrick’s kitchen party. The ebullient singer and jazz.fm91 host brought some friends together for another...
Eighty years of gospel with the Blind Boys of Alabama
If anyone should know about pushing beyond what you think is possible, it’s Jimmy Carter. At age 87, he’s the lone surviving...
Booker T. Jones looks back on Stax and the Memphis sound
From his earliest years in the segregated South in Memphis, Booker T. Jones’s driving force was music. While he worked paper routes...
Why Hollywood films, Christmas music and jazz are so intertwined
Russ Little looks ahead to A Reel Christmas, the upcoming Sound of Jazz concert dedicated to music from your favourite holiday movies...
Irwin Hall set to record the Jazz Bistro’s first live album
New York-based saxophonist Irwin Hall is coming back to Toronto to record his debut album at the Jazz Bistro — and it...
Decade in review: 20 of the best jazz and blues albums of the 2010s
As the 2010s come to an end, it’s time to look back on what was an innovative and exhilarating decade of modern...
Dee Dee Bridgewater is exploring her Memphis roots
Over the course of a multi-faceted career spanning four decades, Grammy and Tony Award-winning jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to...
How Laila Biali found her artistic identity, and embraced it
Juno Award-winning pianist, composer and vocalist Laila Biali seems to be in a constant state of motion. She has just wrapped up...
Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School releases new album Aftermath
Toronto musician Chelsea McBride and her large jazz ensemble have returned with an ambitious new recording called Aftermath. The album follows the composer...
Grammy Awards 2020: The full list of jazz nominees
The Recording Academy has announced the full list of nominees for the 2020 Grammy Awards, which includes three more nods for celebrated...
Need a drummer? Young gun Cooper Hannahson gets it done
It was a wild summer for drummer Cooper Hannahson. The 25-year-old Mohawk College graduate spent 50 days on the road during a...
Terence Blanchard and the power of a story
Terence Blanchard is one of the most prominent brass players, bandleaders and recording artists of his generation. He began playing piano at...
In photos: Manteca celebrates 40 years
Manteca has been a pan-cultural jazz mashup since the group started in Toronto in 1979, and the band brought the house down to...