Filed under Donald Fagen, Downbeat, Music Writing and Clips
Filed under Downbeat, Gregory Porter, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips
Gregory Porter at home in Brooklyn (photo by Allen Morrison)
RT @amorrison2 “#GregoryPorter’s “Liquid Spirit” drops Sept 17. Happy to say my profile of him is cover of Oct #DownBeat, out soon. ” Gregory Porter – Liquid Spirit video
Filed under Downbeat, Gregory Porter, Music Writing and Clips
With Tia Fuller, backstage at the Apollo Theater.
What did Tia Fuller learn from playing in Beyoncé’s all-female band? See my interview with the alto sax star — winner of two DownBeat Rising Star awards this year for alto and flute — from the August 2013 DownBeat.
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Tia Fuller
Don Byron at The Rex, Toronto Jazz Festival, June 21, 2013
RT @DownBeatMag “DON BYRON YODELS (REALLY!) & THRILLS @TorontoJazzFest — See the complete Toronto review: ” http://ow.ly/nqWc8
Filed under Don Byron, Downbeat, Jazz, Toronto Jazz Festival
At the 2013 Toronto Jazz Festival in late June, perhaps my favorite moments were with the astonishing Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias and her trio with bassist Marc Johnson and guitarist Steve Cardenas. Here’s the first of my two festival reviews in DownBeat.
Bobby McFerrin at sound check, Adelphi University. Photo by Adam McCullough
After years of singing mostly songs without words, or in improvised languages of his own invention, Bobby McFerrin has returned to singing the type of songs in which the lyrics are as essential as the music, with words that express his deepest yearnings: spirituals. In my interview with McFerrin, he talks about his early career and influences, why he considers himself a “folk” musician, and the process of creating his new album spirityouall.
Filed under Bobby McFerrin, Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips
Jazz-rock paragon and purveyor of ecstasy, John McLaughlin. Sorry for the blurry image, but if you look carefully, you’ll see that bass whiz Etienne Mbappe wears gloves.
Covering Toronto jazz fest for DownBeat. Crazy contrast, from Don Byron, one of jazz’s great eccentrics, to Smokey Robinson’s Motown show.
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Toronto Jazz Festival
“Free to be Jane Monheit” – DownBeat, June 2013
Jane Monheit, one of the most accomplished jazz singers of her generation, no longer strives for perfection. Here’s my article from the June 2013 DownBeat.
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized
I’m looking forward to seeing this new documentary (great review in today’s NY Times) about just how hard it used to be for women in jazz. This is on my mind especially after my interview last night with the brilliant saxophonist Tia Fuller at the Apollo Theater. Tia will appear there on Saturday in a show called “Great Jazz Women of the Apollo” that includes pianist Geri Allen, singer Dianne Reeves, and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. The show’s a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and other great ladies of jazz.
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips
Alto sax master Paquito D’Rivera resurrects “Charlie Parker w/Strings at Jazz at Lincoln Center. My review in DownBeat: http://ow.ly/kgRhH
Int’w w/Bobby McFerrin today before his show @ Adelphi U. New CD ‘spirityouall’ is gorgeous jazz/blues/Americana http://ow.ly/k79V4
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized
Luciana Souza & Romero Lubambo (photo: Atael Weissman)
RT @jazztimes: Luciana Souza and Romero Lubambo at NYC’s Jazz Standard – my review in Jazz Times http://t.co/vtHYR0b4
Filed under Bossa Nova, Brazilian music, Jazz, Jazz Times, Luciana Souza, Music Writing and Clips
The Wayne Shorter Quartet
What’s it like to compose new music on the spot with Wayne Shorter? See my int’w with the members of his quartet in the March DownBeat. http://ow.ly/hMo15
Filed under Downbeat, Jazz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized, Wayne Shorter
Handy guide to the Grammy jazz nominees, with video: Exploring The Jazz Field Nominees | GRAMMY.com http://ow.ly/hzFFz
Filed under Jazz
My dinner with Wynton. OK, it was lunch. Great sushi and even better conversation. Here’s my interview/profile of him, as published in the December 2012 issue of DownBeat: “Wynton Marsalis – Profoundly Grateful” (DownBeat, Dec. 2012)
Filed under Downbeat, Music Writing and Clips, Wynton Marsalis
The great Jim Hall influenced a generation of jazz guitarists. Saw him at Birdland 10/3. My review’s at DownBeat.com. http://ow.ly/eAXbf
Filed under Downbeat, Jim Hall, Music Writing and Clips
Luciana Souza and producer/husband Larry Klein discuss her two new albums, “The Book of Chet” and “Duos III,” their music, their marriage and much more in this interview published in the October 2012 DownBeat. You can read it here.
Filed under Downbeat, Larry Klein, Luciana Souza, Music Writing and Clips
Lee Konitz is 84 and is cooler than you. DownBeat is currently running my review of the alto sax legend and his “Enfants Terribles” (feat. Bill Frisell) as their lead story. http://bit.ly/RF1D2D
Filed under Bill Frisell, Downbeat, Lee Konitz, Music Writing and Clips, Uncategorized
Allen Morrison - Music Journalist, Jazz Pianist, Songwriter, Lecturer - Long Island, NY 
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