Jazz Clarinetist Virginia MacDonald’s Debut Is Stunning
Virginia MacDonald discovers the full range of sound in her instrument, making us wonder why there aren’t a dozen or more young jazz clarinetists these days.
Will Layman
Will Layman is a writer, teacher and musician living in the Washington, DC area. He has been a contributor to National Public Radio and WNYC's "Soundcheck" as a jazz critic. He plays rock, funk, and jazz in the bars and clubs in and near the nation's capital. His fiction and humor appear in print and online.
Chris Potter Tells the Story of Abolitionist John Brown
Chris Potter always plays jazz with a combination of respect for its traditions and an urge to push the sound forward. It is an audible balance on this new recording.
Vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa Molds Moody Jazz Atmosphere
Gabrielle Cavassa’s voice balances on a knife-edge between jazzy nostalgia and indie originality. Blue Note knows she is something special.
Jazz Vibes Man Simon Moullier Creates His Best Album
Simon Moullier’s music on Ceiba is fluid and familiar, but the sound and give-and-take within the group is exceptionally strong and original.
Harriet Tubman and Georgia Anne Muldrow Cook a Powerful Brew
Harriet Tubman and Georgia Anne Muldrow’s music is a lava flow of the blues sensibility, a collage of funk, soul, and jazz. It’s some of the year’s most daring music.
Jazz Trumpeter Dave Douglas Discusses His Latest Music
PopMatters chats with jazz’s Dave Douglas about his new album, new band, recent record Four Freedoms with a different group, and the road ahead.
Vocalist Claire Dickson Creates Beguiling Art Music
Claire Dickson makes art music that casts a spell. There is a power here that mixes popular, personal, and jazz elements into a daring, delicious whole.
The Sylvie Courvoisier Trio Balance All the Elements
The Sylvie Courvoisier Trio are disciplined, but they also know how to groove and make their playfulness a delight that relates to the more romping side of jazz history.
Javier Nero Blends Modern Elements with Big Band Jazz
Javier Nero’s Alkebulan is state-of-the-art big band jazz, which he discusses with us. Nero uses the large ensemble for color, contrast, power, and momentum.
Jazz’s Mark Turner Conjures an Astonishing Conversation
Mark Turner uses the jazz quartet in a modern, up-to-the-minute way, harnessing complex time signatures and forms, while also pulling the past into the present.
Trumpeter Adam O’Farrill Dances with Brillance on ‘Elephant’
No Elephant has ever been this nimble and dancing. Adam O’Farrill’s new album pops and jabs, hops and slithers. It has all the moves. It’s engaging and impressive.
Jon Irabagon and Quartet Brilliantly Go in Every Direction
As a composer and bandleader, Jon Irabagon wants to open your ears to styles co-mingling. His heart as a musician is big enough to feel and do it all.