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...]
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...]
Brad Mehldau – “The Garden” (Video)
The last time Brad Mehldau played electric as a leader was 2014's Mehliana: Taming the Dragon alongside drummer Mark Guiliana. That album was dope, weird, with a full, rich sound for such a simple affair. Now, five years later, Mehldau is back with Guiliana again and this time with a heck of a lot more folks in tow for a new electric endeavor, Finding Gabriel, out May 17th on … [Read more...]
Anthony Dean-Harris’ Favorite Jazz Albums of 2018
As one of our most exciting times of year (which we refer to as the Season of Lists), the Nextbop staff relishes the end of the year to declare our favorite releases from the last twelve months, noting a moment in time and reminding folks (out there reading and amongst ourselves in the staff) of what great music was out there and maybe to catch up on what you may have missed, … [Read more...]
Brad Mehldau Trio – ‘Seymour Reads the Constitution!’
The Brad Mehldau Trio -- Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drums -- have not released an album together in four years, 2014's Blues and Ballads. You know how it goes-- artists create, move onto other ideas, take time creating on their own until the time is right to bring something just so to your usual collaborators. Sure, Mehldau spent the last … [Read more...]