Veteran conguero Sammy Figueroa is steeped in the heritage of Latin music (he’s the son of 1940s Puerto Rican bolero singer Charlie Figueroa), but 50 percent of his sound is jazz. In that world, he’s worked with artists such as Miles Davis, Chet Baker, and Sonny Rollins as a sideman, and he’s made his mark […]
Tag: Sonny Rollins
Posted inBlogs
Gertrude Abercrombie’s self-portraits show an inner landscape of anxiety, fear, and loneliness
The “Queen of the Bohemian Artists” hung out with jazz musicians, but painted solitary chamber pieces.
Posted inMusic
Jazz returns to Pitchfork
Kamasi Washington and the Sun Ra Arkestra bring jazz to Pitchfork for the first time since 2007.
Posted inBlogs
This year’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival salutes veteran documentarian Dick Fontaine
Three of Fontaine’s musician profiles screen at Black Cinema House this Saturday afternoon.
Posted inMusic
The Secret History of Chicago Music: Booker Little
Brilliant Chicago-schooled trumpeter Booker Little recorded dozens of albums—including several with Max Roach and Eric Dolphy—before his death at 23.
Posted inBlogs
Jon Irabagon and the deep pocket of his trio
The Morton Grove native sounds better than ever on his new album with veteran drummer Barry Altschul and bassist Mark Helias.
Posted inBlogs
Jazz guitar great Jim Hall dead at 83
The guitarist was one of jazz’s most versatile, empathetic players.
Posted inBlogs
Jazz: Saxophonist David S. Ware dead at 62
Titanic free-jazz saxophonist David S. Ware has died
Posted inBlogs
This week: Bobby Broom Trio at Jazz Showcase
Veteran guitarist Bobby Broom makes his long-overdue debut as a Jazz Showcase headliner Thursday through Sunday
Posted inBlogs
Kobie Watkins Steps Out as a Leader
Drummer and Chicago native Kobie Watkins has released his debut as a bandleader, and he celebrates on Monday at the Jazz Showcase.
Posted inBlogs
Village Voice Jazz Poll
The Village Voice publishes its 2008 jazz poll, and this year I’m part of it.
Posted inNews & Politics
How Sonny Defeated the Dragon
In his six-decade career, legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins has claimed many a triumph. But his greatest may have come during a quiet year in Chicago.
Posted inBlogs
Chicago Jazz Festival highlights announced
Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman headline this year’s Chicago Jazz Festival.