Blog
Dec 18, 2017
Jazz review: Spirit of Light – Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Glasgow Cathedral
The deliciously dark double act of Tommy Smith and Kurt Elling creates a grand spectacle The origins of Tommy Smith's first composition for the SNJO in seven years were debated in a good-natured double act between the saxophonist and the...
Dec 18, 2017
Kurt Elling and Tommy Smith make midwinter magic with the SNJO
There's a case for Christmas concerts staged in venerable Scottish architectural marvels being held in summertime The room temperature for Scottish National Jazz Orchestra director/saxophonist Tommy Smith's settings of poems...
Dec 18, 2017
Review: Tommy Smith – Spirit of Light, St Mary’s Cathedral Edinburgh
"Spirit of Light," a major new composition by Tommy Smith, got its Edinburgh performance tonight in the impressive space of St Mary's Cathedral Performing this innovative work along with Tommy Smith were members of the Scottish National...
Dec 12, 2017
Spirit of Light: Tommy Smith leads the SNJO on another adventure in musical collaboration
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra has pulled off some novel projects that have ventured well beyond the bounds of mainstream jazz, from performances with the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers to a Mozart piano concerto This weekend, however, the...
Dec 11, 2017
Diplomatic Don: Kurt Elling Crosses Borders In St. Petersburg
Being an American jazz singer in St Petersburg is a full-time job, with diplomatic requirements Kurt Elling has barely touched down before President Putin asks to meet A four-hour wait later, Chicago hip royalty is introduced to Russia's...
Dec 01, 2017
Kurt Elling’s Festive Performance at City Winery
Kurt Elling is a Big Name in jazz He's the consummate performer, the professional, and the occasional cheese-ball (but don't tell him I said so) Originally hailing from Chicago, he's known for his smooth vocals, high levels of...
Nov 27, 2017
Kurt Elling Channels Divinity, Philosophy, and Poetry into Jazz
Deeply creative people are often compelled to create works of art that express and explore the mysteries of existence, often through the lens of a sacred or devotional belief system Jazz saxophone legend John Coltrane did it on his recording, A...
Nov 14, 2017
Musication interviews Jazz Vocalist Kurt Elling
This week in our Artist Interview series, we have the pleasure of talking to Kurt Elling Kurt is a Jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist and vocalese performer He has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards, winning Best Vocal Jazz Album for Dedicated...
Oct 23, 2017
Composer Chats: Grammy Contender Brian Byrne Takes Us Behind His Latest Album,
Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne has uplifted many projects over his professional career as a composer, conductor, songwriter, arranger and pianist Hailing from Ireland, Brian moved to Los Angeles where he has become a go-to choice...
Sep 22, 2017
Fred Hersch plays Leaves of Grass at Jazz at Lincoln Center (concert review)
The brilliant pianist and composer gave a rare performance of his long-form masterwork last week, setting the poetry of Walt Whitman magnificently to musicBefore a note was played last Friday night, pianist and composer Fred Hersch went out of...
Sep 20, 2017
Jazz Notes: Berklee Hosts a Gala Honoring Jazz Impresario Fred Taylor and the Stars Come Out
In all his years as the legendary music promoter of the Boston area and cultivator of many renowned jazz musicians and contemporary artists, Fred Taylor hardly expected someone to be promoting musical acts for his benefit But on the evening of...
Aug 18, 2017
A exciting new take on Charlie Parker’s classics
This is some piece of work Anyone who knows the ins and outs of jazz recording would have every right to dread the result of this, produced by the prodigious Larry Klein On this tribute to the epochal bebopper who died 62 years ago Klein put...