By Sandi Durell The love fest was in full bloom at the big party on April 10 at Feinstein’s/54 Below as the celebrated Marilyn Maye took the stage on opening night, her birthday, truly thrilled to be present, front and center on her 90th. Like she says “I’m happy to be anywhere. ....
Big Band Holidays with Wynton...
By Marilyn Lester The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JALCO) with Wynton Marsalis is always a treat to hear, especially around holiday time. No matter the weather or the cultural climate, their performance is a joyous lift into a happy place. With soulful jazz vocalists...
The Count Meets the Duke
By Marilyn Lester If the spirits of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington and William “Count” Basie were listening in at The Count Meets the Duke, they must have been very well-pleased. This tight group of hand-picked artists – an “orchestra with no name,” lead by...
World on A String: Swinging Songs...
by Marilyn Lester There’s little argument that the music of Tin Pan Alley provides fertile territory for jazz musicians. In World on A String: Swinging Songs of Broadway, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (JLCO) proved how versatile the American...
An Evening with Audrey Shakir
by Larry Kerchner (Guest Reviewer) Last night at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the hearts of 130 listeners were warmed, ironically by a cool southerly breeze in the person of jazz singer extraordinaire, Audrey Shakir. The Atlanta-based chanteuse, who has worked with the...
Celebrating Joe Temperley: From...
Review by Marilyn Lester Baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley is a man who nullifies the overuse of the term “legendary.” Temperley represents an unbroken chain of baritone sax excellence, from 1927 with Duke Ellington anchor, Harry Carney, to the present. Temperley...
‘After Midnight’...
Producers Scott Sanders and Wynton Marsalis have announced the wildly eclectic opening night cast for the new Broadway Musical, After Midnight. The company includes a wide array of 25 cutting-edge performers from varied backgrounds who will come together to create an...
Wynton Marsalis Gives Back with...
Set to air on Monday, September 9th at 7:30 pm on HBO is the two-time Emmy nominated program Wynton Marsalis: A YoungArts MasterClass. A special preview was offered to the press at the Museum of Modern Art (Celeste Bartos Theater) on Sept. 3rd where the next generation of young...