Author Archives: Luke Stewart
Jazz has been the soundtrack to some of the most radical changes in the history of the United States....
Akua Allrich’s ‘Soul Singer:’ Spirits rising
Perhaps one of the most anticipated releases to hit the jazz scene recently, Akua Allrich’s Soul Singer is simply...
Elijah Jamal Balbed’s ‘Lessons from the Streets:’ hard-swinging new sounds from a leading young lion
At this point, Elijah Jamal Balbed is undoubtedly the ubiquitous, shining young lion of the tenor saxophone in D.C....
Tim Whalen’s ‘Oblivion:’ paying tribute to Bud Powell, with a dash of D.C. flavor
Tim Whalen’s Oblivion is an album dedicated to the late pianist Bud Powell, one of the golden era bebop...
Fabulous young talent at the DC Jazz Loft: Elijah Easton, Hope Udobi & introducing Levon Mikaelian
At last month’s loft, we heard from such a wide range of amazing musicians, it was dizzying. There was...
Riffin’ this Saturday: Flute innovator Jamie Baum joins us for a video listening session
Among the leading jazz flautists in New York City, Jamie Baum had the benefit of learning from late masters...
Rosslyn Jazz Fest celebrates 25 years this Saturday, with Dirty Dozen Brass Band & more
Across the river: a phrase that in D.C. usually refers to the city’s impoverished and institutionally neglected Wards 7...
Saxophone stalwart Andrew Bishop on creative improvising: ‘The audience impacts the music’
“You have to relate sound to sound inside the music…. You have to try to listen to everything together....
‘The past to the present to the future:’ Yard Byard finds its own way to celebrate piano legend Jaki Byard—without a pianist
Jazz’s gospel roots are apparent in the way we talk about the music’s iconic figures. Solos and improvisations are...
The Preparation: Three star-studded nights of creative music for a new year, live at Union Arts
Prepare to kick off the new year with an energizing, palette-cleansing festival of improvised music. This weekend, join us...