Jayne Cortez was born on a US military base in 1934. That wasn’t her name then, but what matters is who we are when we’re making art, so Jayne Cortez she is. She grew up in Los Angeles, steeped in music and art, particularly jazz; she said in an interview, “When a new Charlie Parker record came out, I had … Continue reading →| burning ambulance
I saw James Brown live once. It was in early 1994, at Radio City Music Hall. My father took my wife and me. This was a surprise, because my father was not a big live-music guy (he took me…| burning ambulance
Pianist Matthew Shipp has recorded in about every context you can imagine. He’s led multiple trios with some of the most eminent bassists and drummers in the world of avant-garde jazz; has made quartet albums with trumpeters Wadada Leo Smith and Roy Campbell, saxophonist Daniel Carter and Ivo Perelman, and others; has joined horn players, bassists, and drummers in duos; has accompanied poets; and has worked with electronic … Continue reading →| burning ambulance
Kamasi Washington’s The Epic was released 10 years ago this month, on May 5, 2015. For those who don’t know, it’s a 3CD or 3LP set containing nearly three hours of music performed by a la…| burning ambulance
The five records below might seem to have very little in common. Two of them have shared personnel, but that’s really about it. The unifying factor is a little deeper: Each is the work of a highly …| burning ambulance