What Harry Connick Jr. learned about himself while paying tribute to Cole Porter
Grammy- and Emmy-winning musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. makes his debut for Verve Records with his new album, True Love: A Celebration...
Amid all the noise, jazz artist Patrick Smith aims to make an artistic statement
Being an up-and-coming musician often means getting your foot in as many doors as possible. Patrick Smith knows all about that. The...
Roberto Fonseca finds his sweet spot with Yesun
Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and bandleader Roberto Fonseca has just released his terrific new recording on Mack Avenue called Yesun....
Upholding the history of New Orleans with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The story of the Jaffe family in New Orleans goes way back. Allan and Sandra Jaffe came to the city from Philadelphia...
Karin Plato on the sorrow and joy of music
Karin Plato is a strong and steady force on the Vancouver jazz scene, not only as an award-winning and highly respected vocalist,...
Up-and-coming artist Matt Lagan is following jazz to Berlin and beyond
Matt Lagan wants to see the world. He’s off to a great start, too. Already, the 24-year-old saxophonist from Toronto has played...
For 25 years, Galactic has been on a nonstop tour
In 1990, two childhood friends from Chevy Chase, Md., guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio, moved to New Orleans to attend...
Finding your ‘profound space’ with Chandrika Tandon and Kenny Werner
Chandrika Tandon is a Grammy-nominated artist, a humanitarian, a philanthropist and a leader in the world of business, education and the arts....
100 years of Art Blakey: A tribute to the greatest jazz bandleader of all time
This Friday marks what would be the 100th birthday of Art Blakey, the legendary drummer and bandleader who changed jazz and what...
Thompson Egbo-Egbo portrays Oscar Peterson in new Heritage Minute
Outside it was a warm, Sunday afternoon in a blazing sun.. But inside it was dark, cool — in every sense —...
Ivan Neville shares his stories of Keith Richards, James Booker and more
As the son of legendary New Orleans musician Aaron Neville and nephew to the other members of the Neville Brothers, Ivan Neville...
Music of love and courage with Emily Steinwall
After vocalist and saxophone player Emily Steinwall graduated from Humber College two years ago, she hit a jackpot of sorts when she...
In Canada, Alex Cuba is pushing Latin music forward
This piece was originally published on FYIMusicNews. Before Alex Cuba arrived for this interview, I recalled my first encounter nearly 20 years back...
Florian Hoefner finds a new challenge in simplicity
Critically acclaimed pianist and composer Florian Hoefner has been called a “composer-bandleader of insightful resolve” by The New York Times and a “harmonically...
What makes a great studio session? Kevin Breit explains
Kevin Breit is considered to be one of the most innovative and enigmatic guitarists that Canada has produced. Known for his diversity,...
In photos: See some of Toronto’s most talented jazz vocalists in action
Jaymz Bee brought another stellar lineup of singers to Lula Lounge in Toronto last week for another edition of the most renowned...
For Irma Thomas, New Orleans is on her side
Irma Thomas is known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans.” In her career spanning more than half a century, the singer...
Harold Mabern was a jazz giant with a ‘wonderful spirit’
Harold Mabern, a jazz giant considered to be “one of the great post-bop pianists,” died on Sept. 17, 2019. He was 83....
For trombonist Andrew Ripenburg, opportunity awaits in new places
When Andrew Ripenburg moved to Huntsville, Ont., this past summer, the young trombonist and composer was in a place he’d never been before...
In memory of Vic Vogel, a Montreal jazz legend
Canada said goodbye to a jazz legend this week following the death of master musician Vic Vogel. He was 84. The pianist, conductor,...
Eric Mercury is Canada’s hidden gem of ‘60s soul
This piece was originally published on FYIMusicNews. Electric Black Man is a milestone ‘60s recording and penetrating musical document from a Canadian singer...
Rubberband gives a greater glimpse of Miles Davis in his MTV phase
It’s been quite a run lately for unearthed recordings by some of the biggest names in jazz. Over the last year, we’ve...
How guitarist Eric St-Laurent taps the mysterious ways of the brain
From Montreal, guitarist and composer Eric St-Laurent has been an important part of the music scene in Toronto for many years now....