By: JJ Sechan Have you ever listened to a piece of music that struck you as so off-putting that you had to leave the room, or worse, so overstimulating that you were ready to scream? You wouldn’t be alone! As Parisian audiences flooded into the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on May 29, 1913, to hear Stravinsky’s…
By: Jeff Peckham Norman Granz (1918-2001) was a towering figure in the world of jazz, a producer, impresario, and activist whose unwavering commitment to the music and its artists profoundly shaped the genre’s trajectory in the mid-20th century. Born in Los Angeles, Granz’s early life saw him develop a deep passion for jazz, which he…
By: Jeff Peckham The Village Vanguard, a venerable institution nestled in the basement of 178 Seventh Avenue South in New York City’s Greenwich Village, stands as a living testament to the evolution and enduring spirit of American music, particularly jazz. Opened in 1935 by Max Gordon, the club initially showcased a diverse range of acts,…
By: Tony Exum, Jr. Born in 1950 in the great city of Houston, TX Ronald Wayne Laws was born into a music loving family. His older brother Hubert Laws is a jazz legend, sister Eloise Laws also a legend in R&B/Jazz and younger sister Debra Laws is a recording artist as well best known for…
By: BJ Estares Debbie Davies (born August 22, 1952) is an American blues guitarist. Davies was born in Los Angeles, California, United States. A veteran of the road, she began her professional career in the early 1980s, but her life and work were profoundly shaped by her time as a featured guitarist in the legendary…
By: Jeff Peckham The legendary Cotton Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado, owned by the pioneering entrepreneur Fannie Mae Duncan, was a beacon of integration and world-class jazz during a segregated era. Often mistakenly referred to as “Cotton Club West,” this establishment was Duncan’s personal vision and one of Colorado Springs’ most significant cultural and civil…
By: JJ Sechan Sadly, October saw the loss of several legendary musicians who have shaped the fabric of American music, including bassist Anthony Jackson and singer/multi-instrumentalist D’Angelo. However, today I want to mark the passing of Jack DeJohnette, whose inimitable drumming kicked off the fusion genre and redefined the role of a drummer as an…
By: Michael Skattebo Fusion in art often divides as much as it inspires. What some welcome as innovation, others see as an existential threat to tradition. It was with this tension in mind that American composer Gunther Schuller coined the term Third Stream — the merging of jazz and classical currents into a new musical…
By: Jeff Peckham Roy Hargrove was more than just a virtuoso trumpeter; he was the vital bridge between the golden era of hard bop and the modern landscape of neo-soul and hip-hop. Emerging in the late 1980s as a “Young Lion,” Hargrove possessed a tone that was both burnished and biting, capable of channeling the…
By: Jeff Peckham Ron Carter, born on May 19, 1937, in Ferndale, Michigan, is one of the most influential and prolific double bassists in the history of jazz. Known for his virtuosic technique, innovative approach to harmony, and lyrical playing style, Carter has left an indelible mark on the genre, spanning over six decades. Early…