There's a fullness in ten years. A lot of work, if rather relentlessly done, can really make a discernible impact. Ten years ago, folks were making all the talk as rather cyclically that jazz was dead. It was such an exhausting conversation. Folks were around making this music, obviously. It couldn't be that dead. The problem was in the awareness and the tweaking of the … [Read more...]
Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019
We continue our Season of Lists with newly-minted Staff Writer Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Also have a look at Nextbop's Best Jazz Albums of 2019, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dean-Harris' Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019, and Staff Writer Brian Kiwanuka’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from 2019 is the number of artists adapting … [Read more...]
Nextbop’s Best Jazz Albums of 2019
It was an amazing year for jazz music. The genre is constantly evolving and pushing the limits of creativity. Jazz musicians have a real talent for drawing inspiration from other musical styles while always staying rooted in a century of tradition. New directions are emerging, new stars are rising, seasoned veterans are redefining their sound. It's such a blessing to be part of … [Read more...]
Mark de Clive-Lowe – “Memories of Nanzenji” (Stream)
Keyboardist Mark de Clive-Lowe is an artist of great multitude. His melding sensibilities of jazz, hip hop, and other assorted musical influences has always been present in his work, yet in his upcoming album, Heritage, he's crafting work hearkening directly to his familial and cultural background. “I was raised bi-culturally and as time goes on, the more I appreciate how much … [Read more...]
The Best Jazz Albums of 2012: #10-1
By the circumstances of our calendar, we culturally use the transition into the new year as a time to reflect. We reflect on how we have grown as people, about the ties to our friends new and old, about how we have conducted ourselves, of what we have liked and didn't like. We as people periodically reflect, and as people who love music, we periodically reflect on what moved … [Read more...]