Disc of the Day: Wynton Kelly Trio/Wes Montgomery, “Smokin’ in Seattle”

Wynton Kelly Trio/Wes Montgomery, “Smokin’ in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse” (Resonance Records) Before Wes Montgomery became the commercially successful … More

Tampa Jazz Notes: Nate Najar, Whitney James, Al Di Meola; reflections on Pat Metheny, Dr. John & Sunshine Music Fest

These days, there’s no shortage of worthwhile jazz (and beyond) concerts, by national and local artists alike, at Tampa Bay … More

Jaco Pastorius, “Modern American Music … Period!” (CD review)

(originally published in JazzTimes) Jaco Pastorius, “Modern American Music … Period! The Criteria Sessions (Omnivore) Modern American Music … Period!, … More

Give the Bass Player Some: Ron Carter & Esperanza Spalding Top 77th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll

Veteran bassist Ron Carter and young bassist-singer Esperanza Spalding, a Grammy-winning star, grabbed the top spots in this year’s DownBeat … More

Tampa Jazz Notes: Christian McBride Rules at the Mahaffey; Ybor Jazz Fest Continues; Rickie Lee Jones Cancelled

Christian McBride, easily the most recorded and most honored jazz bassist of his generation, brought his trio to the … More

Straight Ahead: 16th Annual JJA Awards; UF jazz prof/trumpeter Gary Langford honored; Herb Snitzer a photography nominee

Jazz musicians and the music’s movers and shakers will be honored in 40 categories at the 16th annual Jazz Journalists … More

Louis Meets Death Metal & Other Audiovisual Musical Mash-Ups: Creative or Obscene?

When, back in 1999, Kenny G added his chirpy soprano sax to Louis Armstrong‘s classic recording of “What a Wonderful … More

Tampa Jazz Notes: The March of Jazz

Dick Hyman and other pianists, alone and with trios, rising-star jazz singer Sophie Milman, a duo featuring guitarist LaRue Nickelson … More

Listening Post, Week of 1/26: Pat Metheny, Buddy Miller, LaRue Nickelson/Jeremy Powell, Omar Sosa & NDR Big Band, Wilco

Five releases in rotation at home and in the car – a list without comment (in alphabetical order): Pat Metheny, … More

Jazz Times: Best of 2008 – Charles Lloyd, Bennie Maupin, More

Rabo de Nube, a 2007 live recording by Charles Lloyd’s quartet, tops the list of 2008 critics’ picks in Jazz … More