Jul 24, 2011
Monty Alexander has given us an embarrassment of riches. In the past ten weeks, he has released two wonderful new CDs, each featuring a very different side of his musical personality.
Alexander recorded Uplift for John Lee's Jazz Legacy label, leading a piano trio composed of himself, bassist Hassan Shakur, and...
Jul 24, 2011
Today would have been the 90th birthday of Dr. Billy Taylor, one of jazz's great pianoplayers, educators and ambassadors.He died in December 2010.
I attended a tribute to Dr. Taylor earlier this week at the University of Massachusett's Jazz in July program, one of the many educational programs Dr. Taylor helped to...
Jul 24, 2011
The death of singer Amy Winehouse is hardly a surprise to those who have followed the amazing train wreck that was her life. She released only two fine CDs during her 27 years, and wasted talent that could have made a significant impact in bridging the worlds of jazz, pop and soul. Her voice will be missed; she will...