Before there was fusion, before conservatories taught jazz as art music, there was Stan Kenton—an ambitious bandleader whose work continues to fascinate, challenge and inspire listeners in equal measure. His music was bold, theatrical, and unapologetically different. Some called it visionary, others questioned its direction—but Kenton never wavered. Whether reimagining the big band sound or …
Trumpeter Clifford Brown, affectionately known as “Brownie,” was one of the brightest talents in jazz before his life was tragically cut short at just 25. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he wasn’t a victim of the stereotypical “jazz life” – Brownie famously avoided drugs and alcohol. Instead, he was taken in a car accident on …
There is a strong case for elevating June Christy into the very top echelon of iconic jazz singers alongside Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald. Quite why this has never happened is a mystery, as the evidence to support this claim is readily available in Christy’s recorded legacy. Perhaps because her style was never …
With her light and airy vocals, delicate piano style and famous wit on stage, it’s no wonder that Blossom Dearie was a club favourite – not to mention something of a ‘musician’s musician’. But scratch below the surface and we discover the stories that made up an artist whose place in the history of jazz …
At first glance, the story of Art Pepper, who passed away at the age of 56, might echo the familiar narrative of a ‘victim of the jazz life’. Yet, a closer look reveals a tale of resilience and remarkable talent, overshadowing the tribulations with a legacy of incredible music. In this article, we dive beyond …
Written by pianist Herbie Hancock, ‘Watermelon Man’ is one of the great ear-worms of jazz. But whilst many know it for its appearance on legendary jazz fusion album Head Hunters in the 1970s, it actually started life a decade earlier… Watermelon Man is of those tunes that you just can’t get out of your head. …
Perhaps best known by jazz fans for his Blue Note albums and work with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock’s albums over the last 60 years defy classification and have seen him win legions of listeners who would not usually consider themselves jazz aficionados. In this article we pick 10 Herbie Hancock songs which go some way …
Thelonious Sphere Monk is undoubtedly one of the most influential composers in jazz, alongside Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. Many of his pieces have become jazz standards, but his route to get there was anything but easy, as we’ll see in this guide to the most famous Thelonious Monk songs… Born on October 10 1917, …
Whilst many of the most famous musicians in jazz are known for their compositional offerings to the world, Chet Baker was a little different. As one of the most impressive song interpreters of all time, the trumpeter and vocalist carved out a career recording definitive versions of many standards, providing us with a list of …
