Straight08 Review: Sam Barsh, Keyon Harrold & Mark Guiliana Reimagine Contemporary Jazz
June 16, 2026
Contemporary jazz has always been about making something new from the old. In the case of Straight08, a new project…
Kenny G at 70: Why Is He Still So Controversial?
June 5, 2026
Today is Kenny G’s 70th birthday and I’ve been listening to his music and thinking about Mr. Kenneth Gorelick. A…
Beyond Jazz Bullying
May 29, 2026
When I started listening to contemporary jazz, I kept reading about the “jazz police” and “jazz purists”. The self-appointed “authorities”…
New Music from Paul Wertico
May 26, 2026
Nearly thirty years ago, on May 27, 1997, Knitting Factory Works released The Sign of the Four, a fearless free-improvisation…
Tom Kennedy – The Summit (2026)
May 15, 2026
On the very first track on Dave Weckl’s first solo recording, there was Tom Kennedy on bass. He was the…
Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – June 22, 1991
The Crusaders, down to just original members Joe Sample and Wilton Felder, released their penultimate recording Healing the Wounds in…
Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – June 25, 1988
Bobby McFerrin had the top recording on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart 35 years ago. Simple Pleasures was spending…
Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – June 20, 1996
These were the top selling contemporary jazz recordings 25 years ago this week, as reported by Billboard magazine. Top Contemporary…