By: Edward Blanco Composing and arranging for various Latin/salsa and jazz artists early on in his career, served as a defining foundation for pianist Bill O’Connell—which after writing and playing with legendary percussionist Mongo Santamaria in the 1970s—has made the pianist one of the major exponents of the genre today. A native of New York
[continue reading...]

By Bill Donaldson Andrea Wolper is not only a singer, but also a writer. Her appreciation for words and stories and described images is evident. And she has a sense of humor. For instance, the first song on her new album, Parallel Lives, is Joni Mitchell’s “Song to a Seagull.” Sure enough, a little seagull
[continue reading...]

Mary Jenson, Beyond Self-Released 2011 by: Geannine Reid Growing up on an Air Force base, certainly created a strong basis for discipline and commitment, the military life afforded Jenson the opportunity to live in various states throughout her upbringing with her beginnings in formal studies at UNLV. Her experiences included being a radio disc jockey
[continue reading...]

Mindy Canter, Fluteus Maximus Mindela Music, 2011 by: Geannine Reid Steeped in the jazz traditions, but raised in the belly of the blues, female flautist Mindy Canter releases her latest endeavor keenly entitled Fluteus Maximus. Canter melds a mixture of original, well known, and obscure jazz choices that actually work well as a calling card
[continue reading...]

Roulette Presents: 3 Nights of Jerome Foundation Commissioned Artists Ben Gerstein Freedom Choir – Nov 1 Geoff Matters – Nov 3 Peter Evans Quintet & Marty Ehrlich’s 4Alto(s)- Nov 4 What: 3 Nights of Jerome Foundation Commissioned ArtistsWhen: November 1, 3 & 4 @ 8pmWhere: Roulette, 509 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, 2/3/4/5/A/C/G/D/M/N/R/B/Q trains & the LIRRCost:
[continue reading...]

CANON U.S.A. INC., LAUNCHES PIXMA PRO-1 PRINTER AT “LEGENDS IN IMAGING” EVENT FEATURING ICONIC RECORDING ARTIST HERBIE HANCOCK Special Live Performance by Herbie Hancock Generates a First-of-its-Kind, Print-Inspired, “Crowd-Sourced” Music Video for his classic song, “Chameleon” LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 27, 2011 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, collaborated with Herbie Hancock,
[continue reading...]

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts (www.usdan.com), the nationally acclaimed summer arts day camp whose August 3 Gala featured the World Premiere of a jazz work by Richard DeRosa, announces the first of its Open Houses for the 2012 season. It will take place on October 23 from 11AM to 2PM.  In addition
[continue reading...]

By Bill Donaldson The success of a first album consists not just of a performer’s presentation of his personality, drawing attention from listeners with originality and spiritual kinship, but also of the work of collaborators who believe in the leader’s talent and enhance it with their own. Such is the case for British singer Aimua
[continue reading...]

By: Edward Blanco When accomplished composer/drummer and educator Kevin Crabb isn’t behind the drum set producing music, he can most probably be found teaching snare drum technique from his LA studio. Crabb has performed with some of the finest jazz artists in the world from Los Angeles to Toronto, from New York to Paris. An
[continue reading...]

BOOK REVIEW: AFRICAN RHYTHMS: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RANDY WESTON. By Randy Weston and Willard Jenkins. 319 pp. Duke University Press. 　 Pianist, composer, bandleader, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, Randy Weston’s long-anticipated, much-talked-about, consciousness-raising, African-centered autobiography, African Rhythms, is a serious breathe of fresh air and is a much-needed antidote in this world
[continue reading...]