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Home » Blue Note

Tag: Blue Note

Melissa Aldana against a brick wall with a mural
Posted inMusic Review

Jazz saxophonist Melissa Aldana looks inward on 12 Stars

by Dave Cantor March 1, 2022February 28, 2022

For her 2019 record Visions, jazz saxophonist Melissa Aldana looked outside herself, crafting songs around meditations on the work of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. But on her new Blue Note […]

Makaya McCraven
Posted inMusic

Makaya McCraven remixes jazz history

by Dave Cantor November 18, 2021November 19, 2021

It’s been more than a decade since Blue Note Records released an album by a Chicago artist. The last time anyone based here appeared on the roster of this definitive […]

Tony Allen
Posted inMusic

Tony Allen, Skepta, and Ben Okri become one with the universe on ‘Cosmosis’

by Jamie Ludwig March 15, 2021August 18, 2021

A year after the death of pioneering Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen, a posthumous album highlights his work with younger generations.

Posted inMusic

Nearly a century ago, Dave Tough helped define Chicago jazz drumming

by Steve Krakow November 19, 2020August 18, 2021

Chicago jazz drummer Dave Tough died young, only barely outliving the big-band era, but his influence lives on.

Posted inMusic

If enough of us celebrate Independent Venue Week, we might have one next year too

by Jamie Ludwig October 22, 2020August 18, 2021

For Independent Venue Week, the Reader has rounded up some favorite stories about Chicago music venues past and present.

Posted inMusic

Building on the pillars of Blue Groove Lounge

by Leor Galil February 5, 2020August 18, 2021

An oral history of DJ Jesse de la Peña’s foundational Blue Groove Lounge hip-hop night, on the occasion of its belated 25th birthday parties

Posted inMusic

Guitarist Dave Specter on the young stars building the future of the blues

by Jamie Ludwig December 11, 2019August 18, 2021

Current musical obsessions of recording artists Dave Specter and Nicholas Tremulis and Reader associate editor Jamie Ludwig

Posted inMusic

The Secret History of Chicago Music: Albert Ammons

by Chicago Reader January 8, 2015September 3, 2021

This pianist helped kick off the boogie-woogie craze, but his fame has faded—in part because he died young in 1949.

Diarrhea Planet
Posted inMusic

In Rotation: Ayana Contreras of Vocalo’s Reclaimed Soul on a softly stratospheric Andrew Hill LP

by Leor Galil January 27, 2014August 18, 2021

Current musical obsessions of Primeridian’s Simeon Viltz and Ayana Contreras of Vocalo’s Reclaimed Soul

Norwegian folk singer Unni Løvlid
Posted inMusic

In Rotation: Saxophonist Nick Mazzarella on John Coltrane in his own words

by Peter Margasak November 4, 2013August 19, 2021

Current musical obsessions of saxophonist Nick Mazzarella and drummer Frank Rosaly

Posted inMusic

The Secret History of Chicago Music: Johnny Griffin

by Chicago Reader May 2, 2013August 19, 2021

Jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin isn’t exactly obscure, but he’s been unjustly overshadowed since his heyday in the 50s and 60s.

Posted inArts & Culture

Romance in the 90s (or lack thereof)

by Kevin Warwick February 7, 2013August 18, 2021

Journey into the Reader’s back issues from the 90s for a retro look at Missed Connections.

Posted inBlogs

The Reader’s Agenda: Thu 10/11

by Drew Hunt October 11, 2012August 19, 2021

What’s on the Agenda for Thursday, October 11, 2012

Posted inBlogs

Blue Note bonanza

by Peter Margasak March 14, 2012August 19, 2021

A Japanese website offers the full visual spectrum of Blue Note Records’s iconic design work.

Posted inBlogs

The Art of Independent Jazz, Collected for Your Coffee Table

by Peter Margasak December 1, 2009August 19, 2021

A new coffee table book collects album art from independently released jazz LPs of the 60s and 70s.

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