The saxophonist and clarinetist, a student of Sidney Bechet and a specialist in early styles of the music, died Aug. 4 at the age of 91. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1988, excerpted here. (Hear the full interview through the Fresh Air archive.)
Monday, July 22, 2019. Hollywood, California and Levittown, Pennsylvania don't have much in common, though both can stake a claim to saxophonist Bob Sheppard, who's recently released his fifth album as a leader, The Fine Line.
July 15, 2019. At age 21, if your last name has already been transformed into an “ism," then it’s fair to say you’ve arrived. So it is with British saxophonist Jess Gillam.
May 13, 2019. Joshua Redman is like the Kobe Bryant of saxophonists. All the pedigree, all the pressure, all the hype and—no doubt—all the people who would’ve preferred he not live up to it.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and this year marks the 60th anniversary of the most influential year in jazz, 1959. Each week we've highlighted one of the game-changing albums that left an indelible mark in jazz history, and changed the course of its future.
April 1, 2019. Familiarity is said to breed unpleasant things, but the new album from the Branford Marsalis quartet, suggests the opposite. Pianist Joey Calderazzo and bassist Eric Revis have each been with Branford for the past twenty years. They call drummer Justin Faulkner “The Rookie;” he’s approaching a decade with the group.
November 26, 2018. After 80 years of living in the same city, saxophonists Larry McKenna and Bootsie Barnes have finally recorded an album together! The More I See You is a recording of these legends playing some classic gems and originals the only way they know how – with that Philly flare.
Jazz musician Cornelius (Sonny) Fortune died on October 25th, at age 79. Sonny's biography reveals he was a man in perpetual motion, allowing no grass to grow under his feet when it came to perfecting his craft. He used his time and talents wisely and well.
