The Big Ears Festival Introduces Goers to New Concepts and New Paradigms

While some festivals introduce you to new bands, Big Ears introduces participants to new concepts, to new paradigms. And in a world where the ills seem greater than the remedies, Big Ears is a potent and welcome elixir.

                                      
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While some festivals introduce you to new bands, Big Ears introduces participants to new concepts, to new paradigms. And in a world where the ills seem greater than the remedies, Big Ears is a potent and welcome elixir.

Charles Lloyd's Americana/jazz group is joined by the marvelous Lucinda Williams on half the tracks here, creating a diverse, minor masterpiece.

Maverick jazz guitarist Bill Frisell moved back to New York City and looked deep into his own catalog of tunes for a new solo guitar recording. Our interview.

Cornet specialist Ron Miles, from Denver, brings in a stupendous band for a set of gorgeous, intriguing explorations that are lyrical, free, and incisive in turns.

On his final album, New Orleans songwriter, producer, and pianist Toussaint puts his distinctive stamp on jazz, pop, and R&B classics.

On her superb new album, Lucinda Williams takes the wheel for a memory trip down Highway 20.

What happens when one Brazilian music giant tackles another? Smooth sailing, that's what.

What if today’s jazz is a little bit Bill Frisell and a little bit Ornette Coleman?

Singer, guitarist, fiddler, banjo player, Sam Amidon's sixth album is a patchwork of delights.

Space Cadet Frisell requests permission to come aboard.

There are different ways to experience and to express joy. It can be celebratory, or quiet and introspective. Joy in Spite of Everything balances those poles of sound and style on what is one of the most successful jazz releases of the year.

Bill Frisell's studio-centric band comes back for round two - and they sound so, so much better.

American guitarist Bill Frisell fronts a genre-shifting chamber septet on this overlooked smash, recorded in 2001 and now reissued.

The unique jazz guitarist talks about All We Are Saying -- his recent cover album of 16 John Lennon tunes -- as well as how the Beatles changed his life, and how back in the day, owning an instrument meant you were automatically in a band.

Don't call him just-a-bassist!

Abigail Washburn is a bluegrass artist with a global focus, and on City of Refuge, she collaborates with indie rock artists, including the Decemberists' producer Tucker Martine and guitarist Chris Funk.

Guitarist extraordinaire Bill Frisell warms up his new record contract with a new trio to match. All is still well in his corner of jazz/Americana.

Artist/producer PC Muñoz mines for gems and grills the greats.

What the hell -- let’s appreciate some jazz.

The jazz/Americana/anything violinist creates a new set of riveting soundscapes.

An overpolite meeting between a great jazz trio and batch of six-string slingers.

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A gorgeous feat of sonic story-telling from a songwriter deserving much wider recognition.

Veteran drum legend teams up with jazz guitarist du jour to produce a quirky and fiercely non-commercial take on the art of duo improvisation.

A comprehensive and breathtaking tour of the musical world of today's most distinctive and singular guitarist.