Artist Biographies (225)
Read about the in-depth lives of your favorite jazz musician and what inspires their music.
With his revolutionary Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin became one of the most influential and individual fusion guitarists of the 1970s. His awesome, soaring, seemingly ever-ascending guitar lines- exploding in increasing mind-bending time signatures- tests the limits of human endurance for both player and listener. Born in Yorkshire England, on January…
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Knowing that she wanted to immerse herself in the alluring sounds of jazz and blues, Jordyn Jackson spent her September in the garden, specifically, the Garden District in New Orleans. Jackson’s organic and captivating vocals are showcased through her re-envisioning of ten musical standards. The jazz-infused album, fittingly titled September…
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As a new emerging, independent and unsigned modern jazz saxophonist, JEFF MAGNUS proudly presents to you a collection of original music. The release of his 1st debut E.P. entitled 'Magnufication'. JEFF MAGNUS started playing the saxophone when he was 12 years old. He leans towards the influences of Dexter Gordon,…
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When something works well the first time, there’s no reason it shouldn’t work equally well next time. That’s the case with Janiva Magness on her latest release Do I Move You?--a reunion with producer Colin Linden who performed similar duties on last year’s Bury Him At The Crossroads. Magness always…
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"His ability and application is of the highest order." -Justin DiCioccio, Manhattan School of Music Jason Gaines was born in 1979 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He moved to Sacramento, California shortly thereafter and was soon introduced to music. Jason began playing trumpet at the age of eight. He had aspired to…
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Ask newcomer Jason Shand what his musical influences are and he’ll answer with a single word, "broad." The singer/songwriter’s smooth vocals and sophisticated songwriting make him an heir apparent to the adult contemporary throne formerly occupied by the likes of Seal and Annie Lennox. Yet, Jason is also quick to…
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"Jay Myerson, Oceanside resident and guitarist of jazz band Hip Graffiti, is both an accomplished performer and gifted instructor. The release of their CD, This is Hip Graffiti, will show that jazz is a funky, hip and unconventional way to express all styles of music." North County Magazine "50 People…
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Jeff Golub was born on April 15, 1955 in Copley, Ohio just outside of Akron. It was growing up in Ohio where he first started listening to the blues rock artists of that time like Cream and Led Zeppelin and deeply affected by jazz improvisational players like Wes Montgomery. These…
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The first time I heard James Carter, he was performing at Yoshi's for the Eddie Moore festival in August, 1995 with the New York Organ ensemble. The group included Lester Bowie on trumpet, Amina Claudine Myers on organ, Frank Lacy on trombone, Kelvyn Bell on guitar, Don Moye on drums…
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29 Jan
Jamie Craig Tips His Musical Hat To Classic Seventies Jazz-Rock-Fusion Sound
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JAMIE CRAIG The albums by keyboardist and composer Jamie Craig occupy a unique position in the musical world because they create a new fusion that blends the soft emotionalism of new age music with the fiery progressive edginess of jazz-rock. He follows his Top 10 instrumental-music debut recording The Lost…
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The distinguished Norwegian tenor saxophonist Jan Garbarek has been describes by George Russell as 'just about the most uniquely talented jazz musician Europe has produced since Django Reinhardt'. Garbarek is undoubtedly one of the most original individualists on saxophone to have emerged since the '70s. Born in Mysen, Norway, 1947,…
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In an artform which has produced a Count, a Duke, and at least one Dark Prince, jazz has also given the world a considerable number of innovators. Indeed, these masters took musical instruments otherwise relegated to hackneyed artistic uses, and single-handedly endowed their chosen vessels with richly filigreed vocabularies. More…
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In a letter written to Jamal Hurse in April 2005, Peter "Preacher" Bordow, a fellow musician from Arizona, wrote: "I was born with very poor vision as a result of partial albinism. But when I listen to your music, I am given an opportunity for the first time to "see"…
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Gerry Mulligan was born on April 6, 1927 in New York and was one of the most versatile of all jazz musicians. With ease, he could play many instruments, compose, and arrange for other jazz figures as well as do his own solo work! Although associated with the baritone saxophone…
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Hip Graffiti was founded on the idea that jazz is for everyone, that it should be neither elitist nor exclusionary. The true spirit of jazz welcomes both the novice and the aficionado. Hip Graffiti prides itself on producing an eclectic blend of jazz -- from sultry to playful -- to…
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29 Jan
Hard Bop Pioneer Continues to Revolutionize Jazz Industry
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Looking back over the last fifty years of jazz it is clear that few musicians have had a greater impact on the contemporary mainstream than Horace Silver. The hard bop style that Silver pioneered in the '50s is now dominant, played not only by holdovers from an earlier generation, but…
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Takes piano lessons from 1983 till 1995 with Erich Kellner and classical singing lessons with Renate Dasch (1995 - 1998). Studies music at the Berlin Arts University (Hochschule der Kuenste Berlin) from 1998 to 2000, attending the instrumental courses of Prof. Jutta Schlegel (voice), Dr. Marek Bobéth (piano) and Martin…
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The music of Adama is exploring the boundaries of classical, contemporary jazz and world music, composition and improvisation. Influenced by such musicians as Anouar Brahem, Egberto Gismonti and others, Adama is creating an exciting and original material, rich with Middle-Eastern and Flamenco sounds, unusual melodies, and complex rhythms. Adama’s music…
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Born blind at birth in London, England on August 13, 1919, George Shearing went on to become one of the world's leading jazz pianists. Highly respected by his peers, Shearing has recorded with the greats of the music world. His internationally-known jazz composition, "Lullaby of Birdland," composed during 1952, is…
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Two Shade, the debut release from pianist Gerald Clayton features interactive, dynamic trio playing. This week, we'll meet the band which consists of Joe Sanders on bass, and Justin Brown on drums. Joseph Sanders, was raised with the sound of the Church, and he showed interest at an early age…
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