Dara Tucker spoke with us late last month about her sophomore album, Soul Said Yes (2011), an outstanding collection of original songs, reworked jazz standards, and interpretations of tunes from the likes of Sade, Tracy Chapman, and Hamilton Bohannon. Tucker told us where she found her voice (hint: cheese, skis, knives), how she renders her deepest [...]
For weeks, we've been itching to share our enthusiasm about Dave McMurray's latest album, I Know About Love (2011), which we've been playing on pretty heavy rotation. We had the privilege to speak with the supremely talented saxophonist and Detroit native late last month, and we discussed his influences, the diverse constellation of incredible [...]
JazzTonic spoke with Jackiem Joyner about the evolution of his career, his influences, and what you can expect to hear from him next. Read the full interview.
This week's Album Cut is from Ledisi's award winning CD Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue:Jazz Singer. Ledisi is a dynamic singer with an incredible voice. I can't think of anything that she would not be able to sing. Jazz – "yes", R&B – "of course", Gospel – "do you need to ask" – and [...]
Producer Mark Ronson compares producing Amy Winehouse to midwifery. By producing her, he says, he facilitated the birth of something new and nearly miraculous, yet still never had to personally experience the pain that was the heart and soul of her art. Amy Winehouse is, tragically, a member of the so-called "27 club", comprised of [...]
After a huge response from all of you over on our Facebook page, we thought the time was right to bring you all a holiday treat. We present Mr. Lonnie Liston Smith himself! Read the full interview.
According to Miles Davis, who do you get when you cross Charlie Chaplin, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye? Turn the page to see…
We love this week's Album Cut because it's sound is as fresh today as it was when it came out in 1975. "Always There" was recorded by the innovative saxophonist – Mr Ronnie Laws – for his debut album Pressure Sensitive in 1975. "Always There" was his first hit off of the Pressure Sensitive album. [...]
Sade is performing in Abu Dhabi tonight, and we were floored to find that the highly reclusive singer granted an interview to a local website, Ahlan Live. Her comments about her album-making process and long hiatuses weren't earth-shattering, though we did get just a little peak into her personal life. Turns out her beau is a [...]
Maysa discusses her brand new album "Motions of Love", which she makes sure we know is an R&B effort. Like Will Downing before her, she covers Angela Bofill's classic record "I Try", but puts her own stamp on it (check out her scat interlude at 2:08). Read more about the album at EurWeb. We [...]
