Latest Jazz News
A traditional send-off in New Orleans for an innovative brass band musician
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Blaring trumpets and joyful voices resounded in a New Orleans neighborhood this week as about 100 people marched in honor of John “Prince” Gilbert, a key member of innovative brass bands that have become an important part of the city's music scene over the past several...
For airports, background music no longer is an afterthought
SEATAC, Washington (AP) — Background music is no longer an afterthought at many airports, which are hiring local musicians and carefully curating playlists to help lighten travelers’ moods. London’s Heathrow Airport built a stage to showcase emerging British performers for the...
Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians, dies at 73
NEW DELHI (AP) — Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to global audiences, died on Sunday. He was 73. The Indian classical music icon died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, at a hospital...
Kennedy Center pays tribute to Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Raitt, Sandoval and The Apollo
WASHINGTON (AP) — “Not Fade Away” closed out the Kennedy Center Honors at this year's ceremony, just as honorees The Grateful Dead had used Buddy Holly’s ode to enduring love to close out hundreds of concerts over the years. The packed house Sunday night danced in the aisles...
A Louis Armstrong relative steps up to help portray the music icon on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — The new stage musical about Louis Armstrong on Broadway opens with the jazz icon in a rehearsal room alongside an anonymous piano player. Keep an eye on the guy on keys. Audiences may not know it, but there are actually two Armstrongs onstage at that moment — the...
Lou Donaldson, jazz saxophonist who blended many influences, dead at 98
NEW YORK (AP) — Lou Donaldson, a celebrated jazz saxophonist with a warm, fluid style who performed with everyone from Thelonius Monk to George Benson and was sampled by Nas, De La Soul and other hip-hop artists, has died. He was 98. Donaldson died Saturday, according to a...
Music Review: Rare hometown recordings, 'Bird in Kansas City,' capture Charlie Parker's playful mood
Listening to Charlie Parker’s saxophone gymnastics on a new album of rare recordings is like watching Simone Biles stretch during warmups. A new collection, “Bird in Kansas City,” captures Parker’s grace and greatness in casual settings. On 13 cuts recorded in his hometown...
Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 13-19
Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 13-19: Oct. 13: Gospel singer Shirley Caesar is 87. Musician Paul Simon is 83. Keyboardist Robert Lamm of Chicago is 80. Country singer Lacy J. Dalton is 78. Actor Demond Wilson (“Sanford and Son”) is 78. Singer Sammy Hagar is 77. Singer...
AP PHOTOS: A blind pianist from Nagaland says music is 'one thing that has kept me alive'
KOHIMA, India (AP) — Takosangba Pongen had his vision for 14 years. He has been blind for the past 13. But in front of a piano, nobody can tell. “Playing the piano transports me to another dimension. After losing my vision, music has been one thing that has kept me alive. It...
Lady Gaga draws inspiration from her 'Joker' sequel character to create 'Harlequin' album
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lady Gaga knew the recipe to keep her Las Vegas shows electric: start in the studio. Before each residency performance this summer, she and a group of talented musicians clocked hours-long recording sessions, capturing that spark. The energy from their studio...
