Columbus, OH

One of the charges that has historically been leveled against the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (the FIJM, or popularly, the Montreal Jazz Festival) is that the programming had gone from a jazz-centric approach in its early years to a state where the program didn't present much current jazz by young or lesser-known musicians, international or local, nor did it make such music easily accessible to audiences. In the last several years, however, the programming at the FIJM has taken a drastic and welcome turn toward proudly presenting important contemporary jazz in free, family-friendly venues. In years past, reviewers of the festival would run to attend as many indoor, ticketed shows as possible. Today, doing so is not necessary, and it's not even the best way to experience the festival anymore. One can see a lot of interesting jazz as well as other genres on free stages, which are thoughtfully laid out on the festival site at Montreal's downtown Quartier des Spectacles to allow maximum musical exposure with minimum need to move between one venue and another. The big difference today is that there is far more of an opportunity for people of all ages and income levels to experience contemporary, high-level jazz music.

Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2024

American Songwriter

PJ Harvey, Pulp, Queens of the Stone Age, The National, The Kills, and more are set to perform at the 2024 Øya Festival in Oslo, Norway. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the festival, which has become the largest music festival in Oslo, Norway. Janelle Monáe, André 3000,...

10 Norwegian Artists to Know Before Øya Festival 2024

Blanco, TX

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Brigid Pfeifer

There were a number of celebrities who passed away within the past week, including two notable actresses: Shelley Duvall and Shannen Doherty. Shelley Duvall passed away on Thursday July 11th at her home in Blanco, Texas. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and news of her death was confirmed by her partner Dan Gilroy.

Two Beloved Hollywood Actresses Have Passed Away This Week

New York City, NY

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Rhode Island State

Woodstock, NY

Happy Traum, a prolific musician influential in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene and longtime Woodstock resident, has died. Rolling Stone reported that the cause was cancer. Traum was 86. Traum and his brother, Artie, were highly esteemed musicians in the folk music scene. The duo performed at the Newport...

Music Legend Happy Traum Dead at 86

Lancaster County, PA

NewsByJoshua

Fans of Frisco's Chicken were left reeling as the beloved Peruvian-style eatery announced the closure of all its locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chain, known for its delicious food and strong community values, posted a heartfelt note on its doors, informing customers of the devastating news.

Favorite Chicken Chain Suddenly Closes All Stores, Heartfelt Message Found on Doors

This is the title track from the recently released album by Simon Sammut. Minds Apart; Take the Next Flight; Visions of Transcendence; Guiding Light; I'll Be There; Palewell Park; I-Con X; Everest; Fortitude; Feel The Music; Neural Flux; Pure and True; Da Zruha. Personnel. Additional Personnel. Wxsted Txlent,Voices; Fuzzbee Morse,...

Visions Of Transcendence by Simon Sammut

In the early 1990s, still a teenager, US-born Madeleine Peyroux was a member of the Paris-based buskers The Lost Wandering Blues And Jazz Band led by the singer and raconteur Danny Fitzgerald. Peyroux cut her professional teeth travelling around Europe with the band, singing and playing guitar on an eclectic range of material containing a large proportion of vintage jazz and blues. The variety of songs on Peyroux's first album, Dreamland (Atlantic, 1996), reflected those formative street-performer years, ranging from the Patsy Cline hit "Walking After Midnight" through Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose" and on to Bessie Smith's "Restless Blues." Reviews were mostly positive, and the album sold well enough, but Peyroux backed out of sight for around eight years. Returning, she found major-league success with her similarly programmed second album, Careless Love (Rounder, 2004), a melodically and rhythmically irresistible mix of vintage jazz and blues, chanson and songs by Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Hank Williams.

Madeleine Peyroux At Barbican Hall

Consequence (formerly Consequence Of Sound)

Mayall's band the Bluesbreakers gave rise to future music legends including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce, and more
John Mayall, Godfather of British Blues, Dead at 90
Scoop Harrison and Jo Vito

John Mayall, Godfather of British Blues, Dead at 90

Emily Standley Allard

Marriage is a significant life decision that requires extreme commitment, understanding, devotion and a heck of a lot of compromise. While many people dream of a lifelong partnership, others find the concept of marriage challenging. Astrology offers insights into personality traits and behaviors, suggesting that certain zodiac signs might face more difficulties in maintaining a traditional marital relationship. This article explores the five zodiac signs that are often considered less suited for marriage due to their unique characteristics and tendencies when it comes to lifelong commitment.

The 5 Zodiac Signs Not Meant for Matrimony

Folk music singers are artists who perform in the genre of folk music, characterized by its roots in traditional, often acoustic, instrumentation and storytelling. They draw on cultural heritage and personal experiences to create songs that resonate with authenticity and emotion. Iconic figures like Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez have used folk music to address social issues and convey powerful messages. Contemporary artists such as Bob Dylan and Mumford & Sons have continued to evolve the genre, blending it with other musical styles. Folk singers are known for their lyrical depth, often addressing themes of love, struggle, and social justice.

15 Best Folk Music Singers of All Time

Exploring the timeless allure and virtuosity of jazz, this article delves into the Top Most Popular 15 Best Jazz Songs of All Time, celebrating the genre’s rich history and enduring influence. Jazz, born from the fusion of African rhythms, blues tonality, and European musical forms, has evolved into a global phenomenon, captivating listeners with its improvisational spirit and emotive storytelling. From the soulful melodies of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” to the complex arrangements of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps,” each song selected showcases the breadth and depth of jazz’s artistic expression. Duke Ellington’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” epitomizes sophistication and swing, while Miles Davis’ “So What” epitomizes coolness and innovation. Ella Fitzgerald’s scat singing in “Summertime” and the bebop brilliance of Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology” demonstrate the genre’s technical prowess and creative ingenuity. Whether exploring the melancholic notes of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” or the exuberant syncopation of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” these songs not only define jazz’s evolution but also resonate with listeners across generations, ensuring their place in the pantheon of musical masterpieces.

15 Best Jazz Songs of All Time

An adventurous and eminently hip vocalist... After a long hiatus, vocalist Lisa Rich is releasing her newest album, Long As You're Living, a collection primarily of standards that reflect many of the trials, tribulations, and life lessons she has experienced over the years. Rich had a burgeoning career in the 1980s until she was sidelined with a debilitating illness. But with determination and the help and encouragement of her dear friend, the late Jay Clayton, she was able to find her voice again and return to the recording studio. What we hear on Long As You're Living is a true jazz singer, with the warmth, assurance and inventiveness that comes from a lifetime immersed in the music.

Vocalist Lisa Rich's Stunning Comeback, 'Long As You're Living'

Annapolis, MD

Since her untimely passing in 1996 from melanoma at the age of 33, singer Eva Cassidy has earned critical acclaim and an international following for her interpretive skills, selling some 12 million records in the process. WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT, a new collection comprised of 12 never-before-released live tracks, showcases her versatile voice and sometimes familiar repertoire in a whole new light.

Eva Cassidy Album Featuring Previously Unreleased Recordings Coming in September

The Bayerische Staatsoper has named baritone Gerald Finley Kammersänger. He was honored on July 20, 2024, following a performance of “Parsifal.”. In a statement the company said, “We are proud and happy that Gerald Finley has been closely associated with the Bayerische Staatsoper for many years. Since his house debut in 2011 at the Munich Opera Festival with the title role in ‘Don Giovanni,’ he has thrilled audiences continuously. He will continue to be a regular guest at the Bayerische Staatsoper in the future; in the next season, he can be seen on the stage of the National theatre in the title roles of ‘Der Fliegende Hollander’ and ‘Macbeth’ and will also perform a festival song recital.”

Gerald Finley Named Kammersänger at Bayerische Staatsoper

One of the more niche genres in the history of jazz is western swing. Primarily dance music and hugely popular in the Southwest, it originated as a jambalaya blending hot jazz, country, blues, pop and traditional fiddle playing, performed by combos such as the Light Crust Doughboys and Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. It incorporated instrumentation including violins, steel and electric guitars with other instruments. The music was a precursor of rockabilly. Bluer Than Blue superbly resurrects that energetic style by delivering 12 marvelously-performed Western swing-styled tracks—covers and one original—that feature fine vocalist Sweet Megg backed by a terrific cadre of first-class trad players. The result is a joyous romp. "Bluer Than Blue" launches as an up-tempo two-beat with Mike Davis' muted trumped and Ricky Alexander's clarinet before Megg energetically croons, with a slide guitar answering. Justin Poindexter and Chris Scruggs' guitars add swing. Billy Contreras fiddles as all join and burn here.

Sweet Megg: Bluer Than Blue

California State

Los Angeles Times

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers incubated some of rock's biggest talents, including Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood. He was 90.

John Mayall, pioneering British blues musician, dies at 90

While helping create the hit band the Who, Pete Townshend did more than play the guitar as he wrote more than 100 songs for the group. And that doesn’t include the songs he wrote for his solo career. Having been part of the music industry for over 60 years, Townshend watched the industry change several times. And while a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the musician recently shared how the band didn’t make any money during their early years thanks to greedy managers.

Pete Townshend Recalls the “Criminals” That Stole the Who’s Money and Bought a “Palace in Venice”

Here is the show from Independence Day weekend with American and freedom themes as explored by jazz artists. From there, we'll check out some works from the Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band, and more. Welcome friends and neighbors to The Jazz Continuum. Old, new, in, out... wherever the music takes us. Each week, we will explore the elements of jazz from a historical perspective.

Freedom & American Themes + Captain Black Big Band

Another of those One Man's Jazz where the selections come from various geographical locations around the globe and cover a lot of miles: from the Middle East a pair of tunes from Israeli saxophonist Albert Beger; from the Pacific you'll hear new releases from Japan (a Tokyo club first-meeting jam featuring saxophonist Kenzo Ogino & two from Australia—saxophonist Matthew Ottignon and the band Jiem); Finland's Superposition supplies the Scandinavian vibes, while Germany's well-known reed player Rudi Mahall chips in with his very first all-clarinet The Straight Horn Of Rudi Mahall, and from the nearby Switzerland comes music from reedist Baptiste Stanek; there are several tracks from the USA of course highlighted by the very unusual creation of multi-disciplinary artist Catharine Cary and her children's stories framed in free jazz music by two Montreal players; and finally a contribution of music from Mexico—there is a growing avant-garde scene there—in the form of Sinaptrico Jazz Trio. No passport required, only ears!

Albert Beger, Matthew Ottignon & Sinaptrico

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Südtirol Jazz Festival 2024

This festival is primarily known for three things: its long history; the beauty of its settings for music; its mission as a showcase for experimental European...

Südtirol Jazz Festival 2024

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