Watching Charlie Fishman at work is an exercise in perpetual motion. He is everywhere at once, making sure that details are taken care of for the latest Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. The festival is his personal campaign to awaken and enlighten jazz enthusiasts to the unlimited possibilities that Washington, D.C. offers. There is always music playing, whether it is in a concert venue or at his home that also serves as his office. Charlie speaks with the enthusiasm and conviction of a man who tru …

Gladys Knight is one busy lady. In addition to her concert performances, she is planning a concert tour to publicize her new CD, Before Me. She directs a Grammy award-winning church choir that will also have a new CD for the upcoming holiday season. When she’s not on the road performing, she’s in her new farmhouse redecorating, or traveling with her husband. If you look at her on the cover of her new CD, you can see that all of this agrees with her. She has a joy, a love for life that is …

Dr. Billy Taylor says that Benny Green and Russell Malone are " .the future of jazz." Taylor was among the members of a packed audience during the first of two spectacular performances by Green and Malone at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center Jazz Club. During the performance, members of the audience frequently voiced their approval and support for the performers’ efforts. It was definitely a warm, shared experience for the performers and the listeners.Green and Malone are a study in contrasts. G …

Listening to Kerry Politzer’s new CD, Watercolor, is like spending a peaceful afternoon with a friend looking at beautiful paintings in a museum. Each song brings forth different moods and shades of emotion. Kerry’s music speaks to the inner child in all of us who wants to explore the world and find out what’s out there to enjoy.From her earliest years, Kerry has been involved in creating and performing music. After comprehensive classical study, she discovered jazz in college. Like Ge …

Bruce Barth is a versatile, busy musician. Whether leading his own trio in performances in New York City's finest clubs, teaming with accomplished vocalists like Carla Cook or Luciana Sosa, sharing his music with Spanish or Japanese audiences, or playing in Steve Wilson's acclaimed quartet, his intentions are clear. He always works to follow his inner voice and stay true to the music. Jazz Review: When we spoke last, you were getting ready for a live recording project that becam …