Martin Bejerano received a Chamber Music America commission to compose a New Jazz Work in the summer of 2010. He had proposed a long-form composition that would show how — in the tradition of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Oscar Peterson — Bejerano could put forth an energetic sound for his own trio, without just playing fast and loud.
Originally published on Wed December 12, 2012 2:39 pm
By editor
Credit Jimmy Katz
When Joshua Redman plays Boston, it's a homecoming. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University and quickly won the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition. Warner Brothers signed him to make a string of successful albums.
Juan-Carlos Formell participated in a multi-artist showcase at SOB's — home to Brazilian and Latin music in New York — a few years ago. Between a couple of amped-up bands, he took the stage alone (as I recall) and sang in Spanish, accompanying himself on guitar. His voice had urgency to it, and there was an irresistible engine inside that guitar. Ever since, I've wanted to hear and know more.
Originally published on Wed December 12, 2012 4:17 pm
By editor
Credit Courtesy of the artist
The pioneering pianist Thelonious Monk left behind a treasure trove of compositions. Onstage at the KC Jazz Club at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., a current jazz treasure is here to play some of the best. Benny Green is on piano with Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.
Originally published on Thu August 30, 2012 4:15 pm
By Becca Pulliam
Credit Ayano His / Newport Jazz Festival
JazzSet returns to the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival for performances from two complementary bandleaders on the main Fort Adams stage: violinist Regina Carter and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Regina Carter started playing violin as a 4-year-old Suzuki method student in Detroit, and later played in school and community orchestras. After attending the New England Conservatory of Music, she chose jazz as her primary direction. JazzSet first presented her from the 1995 Telluride Jazz Festival — on a stage in the mountains, playing into the open air.
"My name is Roy Haynes and I'm the drummer. Give the drummer some!" the smiling bandleader exclaims at the Terrace Theater of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Haynes is the winner of a 2011 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, and he does not have to ask for applause. He's already getting a standing ovation.
On March 13, 2012, Haynes celebrates his 87th birthday, and he's still driving the train.
People often asked Kevin Eubanks during his 15 years leading the band on NBC every night, "What would you like to do when you leave The Tonight Show?" And he would answer, "I'm going to get to finish a tune."
His answer implies that he needs a few minutes. But he means more than that.
Originally published on Wed December 12, 2012 2:46 pm
By editor
Credit David Tallacksen / WBGO
A creative composer and his 10-piece band embed melodies from a golden musical age in the Horn of Africa into Western harmony, and an Afro-Caribbean breeze blows through it, as Russ Gershon and the Either/Orchestra present The Collected Unconscious in Tishman Auditorium at the New School in New York City, in Surround Sound on JazzSet.
Originally published on Mon April 22, 2013 11:26 am
By editor
Credit Courtesy of the artist
Correction: The audio of this segment mentions a February performance by the Mingus Jazz Orchestra. There will be no Mingus Jazz Orchestra concert this year. The audio and text of this segment also misidentified the dates of the 2013 Mingus High School Competition. The competition is Feb. 15-18.
