It cannot be said that Javier Santiago plays the keys without a sense of lyricism and tension. It cannot be said that Santiago doesn't compose songs with powerful arcs that don't let go. In his Ropeadope debut last year, Phoenix, Javier Santiago did this all over, and he did it as a jazz fusion masterpiece, but that may have been due to the tools used for the job, leaning more … [Read more...]
BIGYUKI, Nate Smith’s KINFOLK, and Butcher Brown Perform at the 2019 Montreal International Jazz Festival
July 2nd was a busy albeit fulfilling evening at the 2019 Montreal International Jazz Festival, beginning with a BIGYUKI and Nate Smith + KINFOLK double-bill at the Monument National and extending to the Gesù for Butcher Brown's late-night set without the slightest opportunity for us to catch our breath in between. But this is exactly the kind of nights we've come to expect … [Read more...]
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Performs at the 2019 Montreal International Jazz Festival
On July 1st, Nextbop celebrated its 10-year anniversary. By a stroke of good fortune, it was also the day chosen for trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah’s performance at this year’s Montreal International Jazz Festival. We couldn’t have planned it any better if we had tried...Scott took the stage of the Monument-National with his usual flair, sporting a flashy bright … [Read more...]
Our Top Picks at the 2019 Montreal International Jazz Festival
The Montreal International Jazz Festival kicks off its 40th edition this week, starting June 26th, with a line-up sure to delight the most diverse of musical tastes. Often jazz festivals can be criticized for not showcasing enough jazz per se, but this year’s Montreal edition is particularly fruitful and ripe with a great selection of actual jazz artists. We’ve highlighted a … [Read more...]
Butcher Brown Cover Andre 3000’s “Prototype” (Video)
Early this morning, the guys of Butcher Brown just dropped a video of their take on OutKast's "Prototype" to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the legendary double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Yes, you've heard this jam, you've heard other folks take on this jam, but have you heard Richmond, VA's own play this? It's too cool a song, it was just begging for their … [Read more...]