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...]
Joel Ross – “Yana” (Video)
Vibraphonist Joel Ross has been impressing us a great deal in the last couple years. Of course on last year's Makaya McCraven's Universal Beings, Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens' In Common, James Francies' Flight and Marquis Hill’s Modern Flows, Vol. 2, and he certainly has been wowing us with his debut album on Blue Note, KingMaker alongside his Good Vibes band of Immanuel … [Read more...]
Vibraphonist Joel Ross Releases “Ill Relations”, First Single off Debut “KingMaker”
For those paying close attention, Chicago-born and Brooklyn-based vibraphonist Joel Ross has slowly been making a name for himself as one of the freshest and most exciting newcomers on the scene with appearances on Makaya McCraven's Universal Beings, Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens' In Common, James Francies' Flight and Marquis Hill’s Modern Flows, Vol. 2. So it will come as … [Read more...]
Watch Vijay Iyer on Chris Thile’s ‘Live from Here’ (Video)
It's kind of amazing what Chris Thile has done with his public radio show, Live from Here, creating a new showcase for performers in a way that only public radio can while keeping his sprightly visage on this new form. In a particularly clever idea, Thile had pianist Vijay Iyer on the show this past week and he came with a collection of songs in his varied repertoire that never … [Read more...]
Pianist James Francies Unveils Blue Note Debut ‘Flight’; Stream Lead Single “Dreaming”
Houston-born, New York City-based pianist, keyboardist, and composer James Francies is the newest signee to the prestigious Blue Note Records label, a feat he’s remarkably accomplishing at the tender age of 23. But Francies is wise beyond his years and his rise through the music world can only be described as meteoric. He’s already played with jazz royalty like Pat Metheny, … [Read more...]