Robert Ham for Downbeat – While many other jazz artists of his age and caliber are settling into a comfortable groove as they head into their golden years, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval still has a mind toward connecting with new listeners. That’s…

Felix Contreras for NPR –  It’s not an exaggeration to say Cuba has produced it’s share and more of amazing pianists whose influence reach far beyond the shores of the island nation. There is a long and storied history of pianists…

Jonathon Ortiz for Westchester – It’s near impossible to hear a song these days that isn’t the love child of multiple genres merged together. Notable examples include hip hop and rock, EDM and funk, and, in the case of Béla Fleck…

Roseanna Vitro for Jazz Times – Sitting in the audience of a Catherine Russell concert, one can’t imagine that this charismatic pro was once a shy child who only hoped to reach the heights of her distinguished parents (bassist Carline Ray…

Jon Bream for Star Tribune – Bobby McFerrin, vocalist extraordinaire, has a philosophy for his all-improvisational concerts: “We enter the stage empty, but we exit full.” The same could be said for his interviews. Calling last week from his home in…

Lee Zimmerman for Glide Magazine – One might think it’s a bit early in their infancy for string band Twisted Pine to offer up a covers EP. Having written every song on their well-received debut, Dreams might have been conceived as a…

Aaron Irons for THE 11TH HOUR – It’s already been a great year for Marcia Ball. Her latest album, Shine Bright, is a boogie woogie banquest of high-energy original songs as well as a few cuts from some of Marcia’s heroes and contemporaries. She’s…

Michael Bialas for Pop Matters – Heralded as an unconventional Americana string quartet based in Boston, the four versatile members of Twisted Pine have emerged from underneath the covers to reveal their love for the Beatles, Scissor Sisters, the Cranberries and, yes, disco-era…