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JazzTimes Magazine To Continue Under Ownership Of Madavor Media

jazzman — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:43:18 +0000

With the mainstream media swamped with stories of print magazines folding, the story of the re-launch of JazzTimes Magazine under new ownership by Madavor Media is a positive tale of determination and vision. On July 10th, 2009, Madavor Media, a market-leading enthusiast publishing and trade-show group based in Boston, acquired the JazzTimes brand and effective immediately will resume publishing the influential music magazine and its Web site jazztimes.com.

Background:

JazzTimes was founded in 1970 by Washington, D.C. based record store owner Ira Sabin, who started the publication as a newsletter for his store, eventually changing its name from Radio Free Jazz to JazzTimes. The list of contributors to the magazine during its nearly 40-year history reads like a Who’s Who of modern jazz journalism – including Leonard Feather, Stanley Dance, Martin Williams, Ira Gitler, Dan Morgenstern, Stanley Crouch, Nat Hentoff, Gary Giddins, Amiri Baraka, Harvey Pekar, Nate Chinen and Ashley Kahn. The publication has won numerous awards for its content and design, and the All-Music Guide
has called JazzTimes “arguably the number-one jazz magazine in the world.”

What’s In Store:

Current Editor-in-Chief Lee Mergner and Managing Editor Evan Haga will remain with the publication to maintain continuity and connection within the jazz community. “For Evan and I, this is a great opportunity to reinvent the magazine in the face of so many interesting challenges,” says Mergner. “And we look forward to the synergy with the other titles in the Madavor stable of publications.” Jeff Sabin and Eric Adams will continue as the magazine’s advertising-account representatives.

The next issue will feature a cover story on saxophonist Joe Lovano, as well as a piece by investigative reporter Marc Hopkins on the effect of the current economic climate on jazz festivals. The first issue bearing the real imprint of Madavor will be the September issue, which spotlights jazz guitar including stories on John Scofield, Nels Cline and George Benson, plus lots more. JazzTimes also publishes an annual Jazz Education Guide, filled with valuable information and material for students, parents, and educators.

About Madavor Media:

Madavor Media publishes other titles and manages trade shows that are number one in their respective fields in the sports and enthusiast markets. Through its print and digital magazines, trade shows, websites, e-mail newsletters, and other partnerships across the publishing industry, Madavor offers unique ways to communicate with passionate consumers who are eager to learn more about products and events that support their interests.

Hank O’Neal Puts Out New Book: “The Ghosts of Harlem: Sessions with Jazz Legends”

jazzman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:09:10 +0000

From 1985 to the present, music producer, author, photographer Hank O’Neal interviewed 42 jazz legends who made music in Harlem during its heyday and decline. In their homes or immediate neighborhoods, he took their portraits with a large-format view camera and talked with them about what had been the best places to play, the interaction of the races, and about why the Harlem scene had faded.

For each ’session’ with a jazz legend, O’Neal has supplemented the interview and portraits with many of his other photographs, historical photographs and memorabilia. From the archives of Chiaroscuro Records, O’Neal has produced a CD that accompanies the book, which features sixteen of the ‘ghosts’ playing at the ends of their careers, between 1972 and 1996, including Cab Calloway, Milt Hinton, Doc Cheatham, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Tate, Eddie Barefield, Earl Hines, and Illinois Jacquet.

Hank O’Neal has plenty of experiences from which to draw inspiration. It would be easy to assume that it was O’Neal’s stint as a spy that gave him the ability to walk into Harlem homes of jazz legends and come out with amazing stories and photographs. However, it is more likely that it was O’Neal’s love of jazz, knowledge of music and easy-going personality that made 42 musicians pour out personal tales that became The Ghosts of Harlem: Sessions with Jazz Legends (Vanderbilt University Press, July 2009).

The “ghost” stories are personal reminiscences of some of the jazz world’s leading musicians. As comfortable with O’Neal as with any insider, the performers talk openly about their life in Harlem, music in general, the people they knew, the places they played and what made Harlem a city within a city.

Reviews:

“This is a must read for all those interested in Harlem’s role in the development
of jazz, whether they are aficionados or new fans.”
-Arthur H. Barnes, Chairman, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

“Hank O’Neal’s loving portraits, visual and verbal, capture the spirit and soul of the Harlem
that once was.”
-Dan Morgenstern, Director, Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University

“The Ghosts of Harlem is a definitive work because at long last we’re hearing
forty-three important musicians tell us about their work in their own words.
The illustrative photographs are amazing and Hank O’Neal’s large format portraits
are extraordinary. This is a book of historic significance and I recommend it to
anyone interested in the development of jazz in America.”
-Bruce Lundvall, President & CEO, EMI Jazz & Classics

Listing Of Jazz Magazines: A great way to keep up to date with jazz

jazzman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:31:18 +0000

All Your Jazz has put together a short list of great jazz magazines for you. While most of your latest jazz news and events can be found online, there are always new things to find. Some magazines include exclusive interviews while others offer sample music from select artists. If you are fan, performer, or just listener of jazz, this list of great magazines will help you keep up to date with jazz.

Crescendo & Jazz Music
This magazine features articles on famous crescendo and jazz artists, album reviews, video reviews, information on jazz festivals, band competitions, tributes, saxophones, pictures, and even some music to read and play.
($45/year – 4 issues)

Down Beat

In the 1930s, before any important book on jazz had yet been written, Down Beat collected the first important body of pre-1935 jazz history. It became a monthly, then semi-monthly, a diary of the swing era as it happened, then tracked the progression of bop, pop, rock, freedom, fusion, and nineties neoclassicism, all from the perspective of the musician. This magazine is edicated to jazz and blues musicians, fans, and audiophiles. Focuses on roots-oriented music and includes artists profiles, record reviews, and arranging tips.
($27/year – 12 issues)

JAZZIZ Magazine

This award-winning magazine gives you the lowdown each month on what’s hot (and what’s not) in jazz with insightful editorial, CD reviews, and inspired photography, art and design. Each issue of this magazine comes with Ttwo limited edition CDs, called “Jazziz on Disc”, that let you listen to music featured in the magazine at home, in the car, at work or on the go. “Jazziz on Disc” is a beautifully packaged 2 CD set filled with classic, new and exclusive music not available anywhere else. A subscription includes a quarterly print magazine, a monthly “page-flip” interactive magazine, daily and weekly updates, 10 CDs, news, events, videos, radio and more.
($60/year – 4 issues)

Jazz Review

An information site for Jazz Review Magazine, Britain’s most informative, indispensable, stylish and authoritative jazz magazine, packed with exclusive interviews with the leading figures in the music, compelling historical overviews which will enlighten beginners and experts alike, and a massive and up-to-the-minute reviews section where our team of critics audition everything that’s new on CD and give readers the definitive lowdown on what’s worth hearing – and what isn’t.
(Online – FREE)

Jazz Times

This one provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the international jazz scene. In addition to insightful profiles of emerging and established stars, every issue contains over 100 reviews of the latest CDs, books, videos and performances. Reviews and promotes jazz in all its varieties. Each subscription also includes their Annual Jazz Education Guide, which gives you listings of the top college jazz and music industry programs around the world
($24/year – 10 issues)

Have we left one out? Let us know!

The Rippingtons Release New Album “Modern Art”: A fine collection of smooth jazz

jazzman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:12:28 +0000

Artist:The Rippingtons
Album: Modern Art
Label: Peak Records (Concord Music Group)
Release Date: March 10th, 2009

Smooth Jazz pioneers, The Rippingtons released their latest album, Modern Art, March 10th 2009 via Peak Records (Concord Music Group). With a legacy firmly rooted in smooth Jazz, The Rippingtons’ 18th release features an explosive lineup lead by founder Russ Freeman alongside Dave Karasony, Bill Heller, as well as new bassist Rico Belled and special guest, returning saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa.

Modern Art breaks new stylistic ground, incorporating exotic world music elements on the sensuously romantic, acoustic guitar driven “Paris Groove” and adds an Eastern authenticity to the hypnotic “Black Book” with an electric sitar. With the sizzling interaction between Freeman’s slow burning electric guitar and Kashiwa’s wild sax improvisations, the easy grooving “One Step Closer” and bluesy “Body Art” will remind longtime fans of the band’s glory days of the ’90s, but with a souped up twist!

The Rippingtons, whose first lineup included future contemporary Jazz superstars Dave Koz, Kenny G and David Benoit, dominated the instrumental and urban Jazz landscape from the late ‘80s on with their often exotically titled hit recordings, including Kilimanjaro, Tourist in Paradise and Welcome to the St. James Club.

Streaming Audio:

“Paris Groove”
- Windows Media
- Quick Time

NEA Jazz Master John Levy Shares His Thoughts In New Book “Strollin’: A Jazz Life Through John Levy’s Personal Lens”

jazzman — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:08:08 +0000

Holidays are the perfect times to reminisce, and at the age of 96, with contemplation in mind, the oldest living NEA Jazz Master takes a ‘Stroll’ back in time to share thoughts and images from his personal jazz journey in a new book, Strollin’: A Jazz Life Through John Levy’s Personal Lens by Devra Hall Levy.

Images spanning more than 50 years include Levy’s first trip to Japan with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet in 1963, and an amazing tour of Ghana in 1971 with Ike and Tina Turner, Eddie Harris and Roberta Flack, Check out historic events such as the Jackson Five rehearsing with the Temptations in 1972, and Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae sharing the stage at the Jackie Robinson estate in 1964. See selected images from decades of attendance at the Playboy and Monterey Festivals, recent jazz cruises, and lots of current backstage visits.

Levy, the grandson of Louisiana slaves, is considered to be the first black talent manager in jazz and popular music. After playing bass in the 1940s with such great artists as Stuff Smith, Erroll Garner, Billie Holiday, and George Shearing, Levy put down his bass to begin an unparalleled career managing a “Who’s Who” of jazz luminaries and legendary superstars.

He has made millions of dollars for his clients bringing them from sometimes-total anonymity to the rarefied atmosphere of success and his client roster included: Cannonball Adderley, Brook Benton, Betty Carter, Randy Crawford, Roberta Flack, Arsenio Hall, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Harris, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Horn, Freddie Hubbard, Ahmad Jamal, Henry Johnson, Etta Jones, Yusef Lateef, Ramsey Lewis, Abby Lincoln, Herbie Mann, Letta Mbulu, Les McCann, Wes Montgomery, Billy Paul, Dianne Reeves, Marlena Shaw, George Shearing, Dakota Staton, Dr. Billy Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, Sarah Vaughan, Maxine Weldon, Joe Williams, and Nancy Wilson to name just a few.

Throughout the years Levy was on the scene with his clients at clubs and festivals around the world. Strollin’: A Jazz Life Through John Levy’s Personal Lens, a high-quality soft-cover coffee table book of exquisite color photos interspersed with memories and vignettes that celebrate his journey with nearly 400 images, including a special 10-page section of exclusive shots from the 2006 NEA Jazz Master events taken by professional photographer Leroy Hamilton.

The pictures from the Levys’ personal collection include never-before-seen candid shots providing a glimpse behind the scenes, in dressing rooms, backstage, on stage, in rehearsal, in the recording studios, and even a few at home. Hang out with his friends and colleagues, including Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Benny Carter, Hank Jones, the Heath Brothers, Arsenio Hall, Oscar Peterson, Tommy Flanagan, Zoot Sims, and dozens more. Levy has been called one of the unsung heroes of jazz whose work helped define how the American public thinks of jazz.

Strollin’ is a follow up to the celebrated 2000 release, Men, Women, and Girl Singers: My Life as a Musician Turned Talent Manager (ISBN: 0931761743), Levy’s life story written for him by his wife and longtime collaborator Devra Hall Levy.

More information about this book, including ordering a copy, can be found here.

Details:

Title: Strollin’, A Jazz Life Through John Levy’s Personal Lens
Author: John Levy
Contributor: Devra Hall Levy
ISBN: 9780982071403

“Jazz Saxophone Duets”: Great book for jazz saxophonists

jazzman — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:43:39 +0000

From the best-selling author of Jazz Saxophone Etudes comes the only jazz saxophone duet book you’ll ever need! Written for alto and tenor saxophones, this collection of 10 duets are fun to play, valuable to study and perfect for teachers of saxophone to use with able students. If you’re working on tone, phrasing or articulation, then these pieces make learning fun.

Jazz Saxophone Duets includes 10 Duets and 3 CDs–Versions for 2 altos, 2 tenors and a version for alto & tenor (alto top line, tenor bottom line), with each etude played by Greg Fishman and Mark Colby (2nd tenor), plus extra rhythm section tracks for extended blowing. Also includes a style and analysis section, plus a detailed practice guide for intermediate, advanced and pro-level players.

Reviews:

“This is a really fantastic duet book by Greg Fishman. Concise and practical,
the duets are also melodic and extremely musical. What makes this book stand
out is that it hits all the basics necessary for the development of the skills
essential to saxophonists of every level. And it’s a “must-have” for teachers
as well as students. If you need a modern and musical duet book, this book
reigns supreme!”
–Tim Price, multi-instrumentalist and SaxOnTheWeb author.

“Finally a hip jazz duet book from a sax man who can really play. I recommend this to any teacher who wants to share good music with his students.”
- Phil Woods

For samples of the sheet music as well as audio, check out Jazzwise.com.

You can also find more information about this book from Greg Fishman’s site.

[Source: Jazzwise.com]

I Need To Learn About Jazz Quickly! Your Jazz 101 crashcourse in 4 easy steps

Mike — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:02:46 +0000

You may know a little bit about jazz or have at least heard of some of its most famous and influential artists. You may even enjoy listening to jazz once in a while. But sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you need to know a little more.

Have you even been in any of the following situations?

- “I need to pass a class, and the only way is to pass the test or to write this paper on jazz.”
- “I’m going to have dinner with the boss, and I know he’s a jazz buff. I would really impress him/her if I knew something about jazz.”
- “My girlfriend/boyfriend is really into jazz, and I wish I could show them I understand it a little and show the same interest.”

This article will give you 2 approaches to going about gathering your research:

Approach #1

(4 Easy Steps)

This first approach gives you links to articles that All Your Jazz has posted. This is a good starting place and will help you out if you need to gather some basic information quickly. Below we offer basic guidelines, followed by links to articles to find this information.

- Guideline #1: Take a brief look at the history and time line of the development of jazz. Focus on general dates and events that made large impacts on jazz. (Visit Article)

- Guideline #2: Be familiar with a few of the main styles of jazz. The development of jazz can be traced through different styles (e.g. swing, bebop, New Orleans). This will also help you with the guideline #1. (Visit Article)

- Guideline #3: Once you have zeroed in on a few jazz styles, pick 1-2 artists from each style to associate with these styles. (Visit Article)

- Guideline #4: Be familiar with some of the Jazz Standards. Below is an mp3 player where you can listen to a few of the most popular and influential tracks. Being able to identify at least one of these will win you points!

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If you follow these 4 guidelines, you will be on your way to developing a good grasp of jazz, allowing you to take part in discussions and voice your opinion on jazz! For a closer look into jazz, please follow up with Approach #2 (below). The two approaches in combination will give you the best success becoming familiar with jazz!

Approach #2

This second approach gives you links to lists of recommended materials (books, cds, dvds, etc) to begin gathering your information.

Best Selling Jazz DVD Collections
Jazz Reading: Best selection for newbies and avid fans of jazz
Get Familiar With The Jazz Standards: The most influential albums that lay the foundation for jazz

This is best choice for a more comprehensive approach, though if you need your information faster, see the first approach.

With either approach, All Your Jazz hopes that the resources found in this article will get you on the right track toward learning a little about jazz – or even toward a more long-term interest.

Please let us know your opinion of this post and the information within it. If you would like to know more information, or would like to suggest that we include other materials you have found, just send us a comment below. If you are pleased with this post, and would like to contribute toward the future of the site, please buy me a coffee (below)!

Randy Hunter Jazz Releases “Level Three Jazz Etudes for Saxophone”

Mike — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:51:43 +0000

Level Three; Jazz Etudes for Saxophone includes advanced jazz etudes & text covering a broad range of information. For students of improvisation & style, this method serves as a tool for practicing, developing, & understanding multiple aspects of playing jazz.

Twenty four etudes, incorporating six sets of chord changes, are included. The progressions are from standard tunes & a B flat blues. Four etudes are assembled in progressive order for each chord progression. The first etudes were created from the basic scales used to construct the chords. Advancing harmonic & rhythmic components are incorporated in the second through fourth etudes.

Get This Product Here

Written text uses offers insight into the creation of the selections. Discussions of the chord changes, improvisational concepts, harmony, & phrasing, help to bridge the gap between playing written studies & improvising.

The 71 pages of text & etudes included in this book provide students with information needed to advance their study of jazz improvisation & style. This method is a valuable source of practice & study material for any serious student of jazz improvisation & style.

Tenor and alto sax etudes are included on adjacent pages, allowing combinations of players to practice the etudes simultaneously.

A CD is included with slow and fast accompaniment/practice tracks. Demonstrations of the tenor sax etudes, performed using the fast tracks, offer a model for stylistic interpretation with regards to articulation, accents, phrasing, inflection, & dynamics.

[Source: ejazznews.com]

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