For a generation of listeners, a few notes are all it takes. That warm, unmistakable flugelhorn sound enters over an easy electric groove, the melody rises, and suddenly it is 1978 again. Chuck Mangione’s “Feels So Good” became one of the most recognizable instrumental recordings of its era — an extraordinary crossover success that carried […]
Continue Reading
By Don Berryman Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo have just released El Arte Del Bolero Vol.3, their third volume of Latin American music. After listening to it I am sure it will be as loved as their first two installments which were both warmly received. In 2021, Zenón and Perdomo were nominated […]
Continue Reading
The 2026 Dakota Block Party will present a lineup of more than a dozen free musical acts throughout the afternoon and evening, along with food and beverage offerings from Dakota and local partners. Performers include Karrin Allyson, The Sounds of Blackness featuring. Jamecia Bennett, The New Standards, Moore by Four, Lucia Sarmiento, Joe Pulice Big […]
Continue Reading
By Don Berryman With a sophisticated groove, Hammond B3 organist Larry Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Bill Stewart comprise a group that is arguably the finest jazz organ trio performing today. Each member is a modern jazz master in his own right with resumes listing collaborations with a who’s who of jazz from the […]
Continue Reading
One of the busiest musicians throughout his career and one of the most beloved by colleagues and jazz fans alike, saxophone master and Minnesota Jazz Legend Dave Karr passed away July 19th at age 96. He was perhaps best known as a tenor player, but also made his mark on bari, leading his “Mulligan Stew” […]
Continue Reading
by Don Berryman Bassist and composer Steve Swallow has released a finely crafted new album, Winter Songs, on ECM records with a seasoned sextet that includes Chris Cheek on tenor saxophone, Mike Rodriguez on trumpet, Steve Cardenas on guitar, Gil Goldstein on piano, and Adam Nussbaum on drums. It is Steve Swallow’s first release as […]
Continue Reading
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, with so much music art, souvenirs, and food, that it often spills out beyond the official Festival itself. Here are two events that took place during FIJM that show just how widespread the creative influence reaches during the […]
Continue Reading
The 2025 Montreal Jazz Festival, officially known as Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), took place from June 26 to July 5. FIJM is one of the biggest in the world, with a huge program of legendary performers and up-and-coming musicians. Over 350 concerts were presented, and two-thirds of them were free outdoor shows […]
Continue Reading
By Don Berryman The Phoenix Trio is a new all‐star ensemble featuring three of the most creative and accomplished jazz musicians today; tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Marcus Gilmore (who is the grandson of the great Roy Haynes). This trio performing all original music was recorded by Jimmy Katz & James […]
Continue Reading
It’s become a tradition! The Upper Midwest presents three great jazz festivals over three weekends, starting with the Twin Cities Jazz Festival June 19-20; moving south the the Iowa City Jazz Festival July 3-5; and then moving back north to the Northfield Jazz Festival July 10-12. And these jazzy weekends, featuring an exciting assortment of […]
Continue Reading
