Mingus Big Band

Symphonic “jazz” compositions, big bands and holiday blasts

July 3, 2011 by Howard Mandel

The American Composers Orchestra readings of short symphonic works by jazz-oriented composers which I wrote of in my CityArts column and posted about here are now available to hear, thanks to Lara Pelligrinelli at NPR's A Blog Supreme. The 23rd annual BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra concert, featuring "New Works for Big Band" and the naming (not yet publicized) of the winner of the 11th Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize. I'm looking for a third item regarding really large scale opportunities for jazz composers (and listeners), … [Read more...]

Manhattan jazz residencies (my new City Arts column)

April 16, 2009 by Howard Mandel

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at the Village Vanguard on Monday night since 1967 The Mingus Big Band, Orchestra and Dynasty ensemble in regular rotation on Mondays at the Jazz StandardGuitarist Les Paul, at age 94 a genuine hipster, the Ben Franklin of American popular music, Monday nights at Iridium forever.These are a few of our favorite things. Read about it in my new monthly column in City Arts NYC: New York's Review of Culture, published by the folks who also bring you New York Press. … [Read more...]

I'm a Chicago-born (and after 32 years in NYC, recently repatriated) writer, editor, author, arts reporter for National Public Radio, consultant and nascent videographer -- a veteran freelance journalist working on newspapers, magazines and websites, appearing on tv and radio, teaching at New York University and elsewhere, consulting on media, publishing and jazz-related issues. I'm president of the Jazz Journalists Association, a non-profit membership organization devoted to using all media to disseminate news and views about all kinds of jazz.
My books are Future Jazz (Oxford U Press, 1999) and Miles Ornette Cecil - Jazz Beyond Jazz (Routledge, 2008). I was general editor of the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz and Blues (Flame Tree 2005/Billboard Books 2006). Of course I'm working on something new. . . Read More…

Ken Joslin on Chi jazz fest 2016, details in photos and words: “Great information to know you educated me on some more jazz musicians to check out and listen to. Some of…” Sep 14, 20:28
Glenn Wilson on Thomas Chapin on film, with TromBari in Normal IL: “Thanks Howard for this! It was great to have you there and your questions for Stephanie were very insightful…” Sep 6, 18:07
Ralph Weisheit on Thomas Chapin on film, with TromBari in Normal IL: “I was there at the Normal Theater and can attest to the power and beauty of the film, Also,…” Aug 31, 18:10
Howard Mandel on A Great Migration suite from trumpeter Orbert Davis: Audio interview: “orbert has already written a work titled Du Sable to Obama, referring to the AfricanAmerican trading post operator generally considered…” Aug 27, 18:14
C.J. on A Great Migration suite from trumpeter Orbert Davis: Audio interview: “Should be interesting. I sometimes think the dedication of the Obama Library will be the capstone to…” Aug 27, 17:47

ESP Disks — origins of jazz beyond jazz

Reviewing a sleeping giant, ESP Disks before its early '00s revival Howard Mandel c 1997, published in issue 157, The Wire It was a time before psychedelics. Following the seismic cultural disruptions of the mid '50s, rock 'n' roll had hit a … [Read More...]

William Parker, my DownBeat feature from 1998

Howard Mandel c 1998/published by DownBeat, July 1998, under headline Beneath the Underdog (the editor's reference to Charles Mingus's autobiography): There's an anchor for New York's downtown free jazz and improv "wild bunch": his name is William … [Read More...]

Matthew Shipp, my feature for The Wire, 1998

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="IFeXJPobvykRyuU4dU68FilRPv0EE8oC"] This is a complete version of the feature on pianist Matthew Shipp I wrote for The Wire, published in February, 1998 Is this the face of New York's jazz avant now? Pianist Matt … [Read More...]

Rashied Ali (1935 – 2009), multi-directional drummer, speaks

A 1990 interview with drummer Rashied Ali, about his relationship with John Coltrane. … [Read More...]

On The Corner program notes, Merkin Hall concert 5/25/09

Miles Davis intended On The Corner to be a personal statement, an esthetic breakthrough and a social provocation upon its release in fall of 1972. He could hardly have been more successful: the album was all that, though it has taken decades for its … [Read More...]