Dearest friends and supporters! I am currently in Scotland, at the Edinburgh Fringe, it is a festival unlike any I have ever attended. The city is filled with artists and performers from all over the world. 3000 shows are happening right now, and there are industry professionals who book, manage, produce performances of every genre and medium imaginable, all looking for new projects to work with. It is wildly exciting. I have so many ideas for what I am going to bring here next year and the…

On Monday August 10, 2015 at 10:00am, Mayor DiBlasio of New York City will sign the bill co-naming Ritter Place, "Maxine Sullivan Way." I am grateful that my mother is being honored this way. She lived on this street for over 40 years. The event will take place at City Hall. Official unveiling date is yet to be determined but within the next three months.…

Penn State New Kensington Welcomes Jazz Exhibit

Suburban Jazz Club Attracts Star Lineups

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John Richmond on stage at the Turning…

An incredibly interesting, 14 part interview with Howard McGhee discussing and reminiscing about Fats Navarro has just been posted (6/14/2015). The interview(s) was conducted in 1977-78.  What a remarkable piece of jazz information and history!

http://philschaapjazz.com/index.php?l=page_view&p=radio

HARAMBEE UJIMA

Black Arts & Culture Festival

On Kelly Street |…

To Apple, Love Taylor

I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.

I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music…

Afro American Music Institute Presents…

 POSTED ON DECEMBER 1, 2010 BY THE INDEPENDENT EAR Guitarist-educator, and now author, Pascal (Bokar) Thiam aims to broaden the historical timeline of blues and jazz well beyond the romantic notion of ‘up the Mississippi from New Orleans…’ Though I had the pleasure of spinning Pascal’s in-performance ’07 CD Savannah Jazz Club on radio, I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him until about two months ago at the first in a series of book signing & reading events for African Rhythms: the…

April 7th marks the centennial celebration of the incomparable Billie Holiday. Her genius remains the foundation for jazz vocalists and her legacy reigns supreme.

The Swing Song Tradition 

By the early 1930's, the Jazz Age was coming to an end. The 2/4, oomp-pah rhythm of the 1920's was giving way to the smoother, more elastic rhythm of the Swing Era. Benny Goodman officially got the ball rolling at the Palomar; but the Jazz Age Orchestra had left a…

Pioneers of African American Entertainment in Pittsburgh

Prepared by Dr. Theodora D. Cotton *

We are indebted to Frank E. Bolden who graciously granted an interview on a Sunday evening for this information. Mr. Bolden, who is an authority on African American history in Western Pennsylvania, is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical commission and the History and Landmarks Foundation. Born and educated in Western…

I would like to thank Tony Campbell and Jazz Surgery for the opportunity this past Saturday at The Village Tavern. Two years ago I did not play an instrument. Six months ago I did not own a jazz tune. Tony invited me to sit-in on the drums and we played Moanin' by the late great Art Blakey. What a thrill playing with such great musicians. If you have not been to The Village Tavern to see Tony and the band on Saturdays from 5 - 7:30 please get there. Also, thanks to drummer Kevin Hindes for…

Milton Glaser - Science

By PAM BELLUCK

The other day, Paul Simon was rehearsing a favorite song: his own “Darling Lorraine,” about a love that starts hot but turns very cold. He found himself thinking about a three-note rhythmic pattern near the end, where Lorraine (spoiler alert) gets sick and dies.…