58 stories by "J. R. Carroll"
The idea of house concerts seems to be getting some legs. The "fabulous world headquarters loft of Accurate Records" again plays host, this time to the eclectic San Francisco band, Mercury …
In the wake of the horrors of last week, Jazz Week 2013 comes as almost an act of defiance, an insistence that life will go on in all sectors of the Boston community.
Pianist Randy Weston and arranger Melba Liston will be honored in a celebratory concert at the New England Conservatory.
Aardvark Jazz Orchestra turns 40, Mango Blue makes a one-night return, Evan Ziporyn plays Don Byron's new clarinet concerto, drummer Brian Blade arrives with his Fellowship band, and much, m…
By J. R. Carroll Friday, February 1: 8 and 10 p.m., Scullers, Roberta Gambarini Tuesday, February 5: 8:30 p.m., Ryles, Bruce Bartlett Trio Wednesday, February 6: 8 p.m., Scullers, Neha Jiwra…
Music with African roots warms the January chill, percussionists raise the roof, vocalist/pianist/songwriter Patricia Barber makes a welcome return, and a sextet of touring all-stars from th…
With major clubs closing their doors for private parties, December can be a little thin for mainstream jazz. But if you like to walk on the wild side, this is your month.
Make no mistake: Richard Vacca's "The Boston Jazz Chronicles: Faces, Places, and Nightlife 1937"1962" is, to quote Joe Biden, a Big Freaking Deal.
From honors for Boston jazz heroes to many flavors of the "Spanish tinge", it's an eventful month, especially for NEC's 40-year-old Contemporary Improvisation department and the annual John …
From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, and with a major stop in Beantown, Massachusetts is the place to be for the autumn jazz festival season.
As autumn approaches, Berklee celebrates Ray Charles, NEC kicks off 40th anniversary festivities for its Contemporary Improvisation department, and New England jazz boasts a series of specta…
By J. R. Carroll Even on the Labor Day Weekend, September 2012 gets off to strong start with a Billy Strayhorn tribute in Hyde Park and some special visitors from Brazil. Saturday, September…
A rare visit from trumpeter and composing improviser/improvising composer Arthur Brooks, a farewell evening of Ecuadorian fusion by ÑAWI, and trumpeter Brian Lynch's "Unsung Heroes" proj…
The tents and stages have come down in Newport, and now the action shifts west to Connecticut, home of the superb Litchfield Jazz Festival. Later in the month, it's party time in Salem, MA …
Pianist Laurence Hobgood takes the lead, Rebecca Parris returns to Marblehead, Ritmo Masacote comes to Ryles, NEC brushes up its Shakespeare, and Berklee Summer in the City is … everyw…
The first half of July, dominated by Independence Day festivities, is--fireworks aside--pretty quiet in New England. But then the festival season really kicks into gear.
The New Orleans-style funeral for jazz on WGBH radio was an amazing coming-together of musicians from across the spectrum of styles. It was an occasion for mourning the loss of Steve Schwar…
In or out of doors, from Inman Square to the coast of Maine, it's a hot July in New England. Sounds of the season--or of any season--abound, including a 25th anniversary celebration for Nat…
Reeling from the impending cutbacks to WGBH's programming, the Boston jazz community is beginning to find its footing in organizing a response. First up, a jazz funeral on the 5th of July.
The year 1962, the terminus of Richard Vacca's new history of Boston jazz, marked an end to an era. Fifty years later, with the cutbacks in jazz programming at WGBH, are we approaching a si…
As many Boston listeners feared, WGBH has put its jazz programming on the road to extinction. What is to be done?
Heading north this weekend? Whether you're traveling all the way to Burlington, VT, or just to the left bank of the Charles, summer 2012's jazz festival season is off to a fine start. Then…
Swarms in the train station! Improv in the library! Video game hits and poetry! Must be Jazz Week--and there's plenty more, including a major CD release by Argentinian bassist Fernando Hu…
Jazz songs by composer John Harbison? An ensemble devoted to the music of Björk? A quartet taking over a theatre and breaking the "fourth wall"? Jazz Week 2012 stakes out territory on th…
