France has long had a love affair with jazz, and likewise many of the great exponents of this great American music also had a love affair with the French lifestyle and people. In this article, we take a look at some of the key musicians and albums which have played an important role in the …
The Bill Evans discography showcases one of the most influential pianists in jazz. In this article, we take a look at his iconic 1960s album Portrait In Jazz, starting with a trip through his early career to see what influenced such a brilliant recording. From his arrival on the New York jazz scene in 1955, Bill Evans …
If you’re on the search for joyous alto saxophone playing, you probably need to look no further than one of the many Cannonball Adderley songs on record. Whilst some of his most famous album contributions have been as a sideman, British writer Nick Lea takes a look her at one of his most enduring records …
Arguably the most famous saxophone player in history, John Coltrane’s music not only enthralled fans, but changed the way that future generations of jazz musicians approached improvisation. As part of our classic albums series, we take a look at his most groundbreaking record, Giant Steps. John William Coltrane was a towering figure in the history …
1959 was a magical year in jazz, giving us several of the most popular jazz records of all time. One of the most famous of them all, though, was Dave Brubeck’s Time Out which we take a look at in this article. It’s ironic that one of the most popular and successful jazz albums was …
Whilst many of the most famous jazz albums in history come from the golden age of 1950s and 1960s, there is one which holds its own despite arriving in the mid-1970s… Join us for a look into the legendary solo piano album The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett. Mention the name Keith Jarrett and ECM …
Legendary hard bop drummer Art Blakey may have an extensive discography, but his Jazz Messenger album ‘Moanin’ is regarded by most aficionados as his finest. Join us for a dive into the story behind the legendary jazz album. Art Blakey’s place in the pantheon of the all-time jazz greats has long been established and never disputed. …
Sifting through the glittering discography and career of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, one album – Night Train – stands out ahead of perhaps all the rest. We take a look at the story behind this killer jazz album. Canadian born, Oscar Peterson is not only one of the giants of the music but perhaps did …
The Shape of Jazz to Come by free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman is a groundbreaking jazz album that sounds as fresh today as the day it was recorded, all the way back in 1959. Ornette Coleman’s Early Career: Ornette Coleman was born in Fort Worth, Texas in March 1930, and perhaps more than other jazz …
Saxophone Colossus by tenor saxophone titan Sonny Rollins is one of the most outstanding jazz albums at all times. Join us for a deeper look into what made the influential recording the masterpiece is is… Sonny Rollins’ Early Career: Theodore Walter Rollins, aka Sonny, is an American tenor saxophonist who can truly lay claim to be …