Piano Weekend in Boston, Part 1: First Up, Bill Charlap
Two all-time piano greats are visiting Boston this weekend, and I had to see them both. First up, on Halloween night, the most genial of piano virtuosos, Bill Charlap. He was at the RegattaBar in the Charles Hotel, with his sensitive,…
Joe Farnsworth Plays the Big Room (Downbeat, September 2025)
Joe Farnsworth (photo by Osmel Portuondo Azcuy) Joe Farnsworth is a man of many mottos: "Listen to learn, and learn to listen;" You can never be wrong if you know the song;" and, of course, "Time to Swing." He's more than a drummer - he…
Don Cheadle on his new Miles movie, “Miles Ahead”
Cheadle learning to play trumpet for his role as Miles Davis. In his forthcoming film about Miles, Don Cheadle is looking, as Davis did, for an "opportunity to play what’s not there.” Here is the full article, as published in the April 2016…
2025 JJA Awards Announced
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners of the 30th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards. Pleased to see awards go to some of my favorite artists, including George Coleman, winner of the Lifetime Achievement in Jazz award. A special shout-out to my friends in New…
Renee Rosnes Fulfills her Brazilian Dream (DownBeat cover story, January 2025)
Crossing Paths (Smoke Sessions) is the album pianist Renee Rosnes always wanted to make. My cover story in the January DownBeat Magazine, is now online here. The album features several Brazilian music icons (Edu Lobo,…
