Jazz88’s Peter Solomon spoke with choreographer and master dance instructor Ashi Smythe about the legacy of Katherine Dunham, the woman widely acknowledged as the “Queen Mother and Matriarch of African American Dance.” Smythe is a guest artist and instructor in a two-week Katherine Dunham residency taking place at Lundstrum Performing Arts. Attached photo by Mike...Read More
Mike Lewis, the celebrated multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Happy Apple, Fat Kid Wednesdays and Alpha Consumer, connected with Jazz88 to discuss the run of shows he’ll be doing in November at Icehouse. Lewis highlighted some of the artists he’ll be collaborating with like Anthony Cox, S. Carey and Jeremy Yvilsaker. He also discussed...Read More
Jazz88’s Peter Solomon speaks with Jeff Coffin, a multi-instrumentalist/composer who is well-known for his role as saxophonist with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and the Dave Matthews Band. On Only the Horizon, his 23rd album as a leader, he collaborates with a West African percussion group called the Yeli Ensemble, as well as guitarist Cory Wong,...Read More
Mere days away from releasing their sophomore album NORFSIDE drummer L.A. Buckner and his bandmates from BiG HOMiE are ready to celebrate an album that’s been years in the making. Buckner, alongside David Smith and percussionist Jamani Buckner, spoke about the songwriting process, the importance of releasing the album at an iconic venue (the Capri...Read More
Obi Original is an accomplished musician/composer and vocalist. Obi agreed to come by to discuss one of his musical heroes, Fela Kuti. Fela was born October 15, 1938 and he, alongside his drummer Tony Allen, is recognized as one of the architects of the Afrobeat genre. Listen in to hear Obi Original’s reflections on Fela’s...Read More
The internationally acclaimed vocalist Samarth Nagarkar is bringing his Khayal Ensemble to MacPhail for a performance on Saturday October 12. In advance of the concert Mr. Nagarkar and Michael Cain, the Director of Electronic Music Recording Arts at MacPhail connected with Jazz88 via ZOOM to discuss the concert, the improvisational traditions of North Hindustani music...Read More
Joel Shapira is always out there playing. He’s out playing in town four or five times a week. But behind the scenes Shapira is always working on his own material. Joel came through the Jazz88 studios to discuss his new record Sleepless Montage and the release party coming up on Thursday, October 3 at Berlin...Read More
As we celebrate the centenary of Bud Powell’s birth today I want to reflect on his impact on me and the wider world. Sometimes it is not complicated why you like a jazz musician. For me, I started to love Bud Powell cause I thought his music was. . .cool. I didn’t know it featured...Read More
Violinist and educator Ernest Bisong from Walker West Music Academy visited Jazz88 to talk about their 2024-’25 Rondo Community Music Series. The series launches this Saturday (9/28) and rolls through to May with concerts from Kavyesh Kaviraj, Kevin Washington and RA Spirit, Katia Cardenas, Trio Zenia, and more. Bisong shared his philosophy for recruiting the...Read More
Saxophonist / composer/ arranger Benny Golson died Saturday. He was 95 years old. Inspired largely by the music of pianist Tadd Dameron, Golson composed several tunes now considered standards, including “Whisper Not,” “Along Came Betty,” and “I Remember Clifford.” With his dark, swooping sound and arpeggiated phrases, Golson’s tenor saxophone playing had a lot in...Read More
