Pianist Randy Weston, a magisterial musician at age 90 inspired by jazz traditions and its African basics, and trumpeter Amir ElSaffar, who has devoted himself to incorporating the Middle East’s modal, microtonal maqam legacy into compositions for jazz improvisation by members of his Two Rivers Ensemble, were highlights of last weekend’s 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival. Both […]
Celebrating jazz excellence — Awards, honors and privileges
The NEA zeroes out its Jazz Masters program, the Grammys cuts categories so pop best-sellers regain prominence vis a vis less obviously commercial stars, but the Jazz Journalists Association’s 15th annual Jazz Awards — to be held June 11, 2011 with an afternoon gala with all star music at City Winery, NYC, satellite parties hosted by […]
Randy Weston, Giant Standing
Pianist, composer, ensemble leader, now autobiographer — at age 84, Randy Weston is a huge and undiminished presence. Read my column in City Arts New York about how he’s just published African Rhythms, his life story, is signing it at Tribecca Performing Arts Center (NYC) Oct. 30, and leads his 22-piece orchestra at that same venue in a 50th anniversary […]
Surprises and stalwarts in an NYC jazz weekend
Five acts, all jazz headliners, in 3 hours at the Jazz Foundation of America’s Loft Jazz Party, plus Chicago drummer-composer Mike Reed’s thrilling People, Places & Things quartet and alto saxist Darius Jones’ trio at Drom in the East Village — bountiful blues, soul, swing, groove, creativity, tradition, big names and newcomers in NYC on […]