Ben Wendel’s ‘BaRcoDe’ Is Unique and Uniquely Excellent
Ben Wendel has played with groove-oriented rhythms, electronics, and unusual instrumentation, as if jazz tradition were secondary to creativity.
joel ross
Vibes Phenom Joel Ross Dips His Jazz Into Gospel Music
Joel Ross takes his usual pyrotechnics and funnels them into a refined ensemble sound that also channels sincere, powerful jazz with a gospel center.
The Blue Note Quintet Make Musical Magic in Berkeley
All-star modern jazz collective the Blue Note Quintet hit the road to honor the classic label’s 85th anniversary by carrying the creative vibes forward.
Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2022
The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2022
Jazz, born of the creative brilliance of Black American culture and now wonderfully global, is passionately alive in 2022. These are the year’s best jazz albums.
JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – March 2022
JazzMatters is a new monthly round-up of the best new jazz and creative music. March 2022 features Cécile McLorin Salvant, Melissa Aldana, and Ryan Keberle.
Drummer Johnathon Blake Is ‘Homeward Bound’
Johnathon Blake’s Blue Note debut, Homeward Bound, takes soulful jazz from the past, adds the complexity of the present with intelligence and adventure.
20 Jazz Albums You Might Have Missed in 2020
During the new-year season of best-of-the-year lists, I find myself looking backward—even at a year as difficult as 2020. Time was dilated—I thought I had too much of it but, as usual, there was too little for all the great music.
Joel Ross Is the New ‘Kingmaker’ on Vibes
Joel Ross is a young jazz star on the vibes with a working band in his Blue Note debut—working a vein that is modern but tied certainly back to a tradition that includes his inspiration, Bobby Hutcherson. Cracking good.