Journey into Jazz
Teach A Man To Phish
by Leo Sidran
I won't bury the lede. Last week I saw Phish in concert at Forest Hills Stadium on two consecutive nights. It was a long time coming for me. Loyal listeners of my The Third Story podcast have noticed a quiet apprehension about the Phish phenomenon--or more broadly, the jam band scene--threaded through past conversations. Some friends of the podcast have even sent me playlists and videos to gently nudge me toward listening to Phish. Conversations with Billy Martin ...
Continue ReadingBig Ears 2025: A Personal Perspective
by Mark Adams
More than simply size, the “big" in Big Ears (March 27-30, 2025, Knoxville, TN) most certainly points to breadth, diversity, a widening or expanse. This is not the Fast Feet festival, though a pair are necessary to accommodate the ever-expanding footprint of venues in Knoxville. This isn't the Huge Heart gathering, though it certainly feels like a reunion when musicians and listeners cross-pollinate as spring tempts town and hope fills the air. Nor is it a solely brain-centric experience, though ...
Continue ReadingJazz Highlights for Record Store Day 2025
by Kyle Simpler
For most Americans, April brings to mind tax deadlines and spring cleaning. But for vinyl collectors, April means something far more exciting: Record Store Day. Each year, music lovers line up early for a chance to snag limited-edition releases--many of them archival treasures, rarities, or long-lost recordings brought back to life. While the overall selection spans multiple genres, 2025's offerings deliver an especially rich batch for jazz fans. Here are some of the most notable jazz releases for Record Store ...
Continue ReadingFrom Fad To Phenomenon: The Lasting Legacy Of Record Store Day
by Kyle Simpler
Despite its growing popularity, some still view the vinyl resurgence as a passing trend that will eventually fade. Articles frequently appear in newspapers and magazines almost celebrating any dip in vinyl sales. In late 2024, for example, several headlines noted that vinyl sales were down 33%--somewhat ironic, considering that an LP spins at 33 1/3 RPM. However, there are numerous factors to consider when analyzing sales data, but one thing remains consistent: the growing interest in vinyl records. Since the ...
Continue Reading2024 Record Store Day Black Friday Jazz Releases
by Kyle Simpler
Record Store Day Black Friday is back for 2024. There are releases that appeal to practically every genre of music, and jazz is no exception. This year's lineup features releases for jazz enthusiasts and vinyl collectors alike. From previously unreleased live performances to excellent vinyl debuts, this year's offerings showcase a variety of jazz styles. Below is a list of some of this year's jazz titles. Dave Douglas Gifts Greenleaf Music Quantity: 800
Continue ReadingRecord Store Day 2024 Jazz Releases
by Kyle Simpler
Every year, Record Store Day (RSD) promises limited edition vinyl releases for all tastes in music. From the latest popular artists to the most obscure archival releases, RSD drops try to cover a lot of musical territory. Practically all genres of music are represented and, of course, jazz is no exception. Fortunately, the April 2024 drop promises plenty of jazz offerings, so the most difficult part for most jazz collectors might easily be deciding what not to buy.
Continue ReadingRecord Store Day Black Friday 2023: Jazz Releases
by Kyle Simpler
For many, Black Friday conjures up images of massive crowds battling each other to get their hands on marked down gift items at huge department stores. For record collectors, though, the scene is much less dramatic because Black Friday is one of two yearly Record Store Day drops. This is where limited run albums hit the shelves of many independent record stores. Although a variety of musical genres is represented, there are always some cool jazz releases to pick up. ...
Continue ReadingRecord Store Day 2023 Jazz Releases
by Kyle Simpler
Record Store Day, which started in 2007, is a biannual event designed to promote independent record stores. Every Record Store Day drop features limited-edition vinyl releases in practically every genre of music. The releases, however, are offered on a limited basis, and they are available for one time only. As a result, collectors often wait in long lines at a participating store hoping to get copies of releases before they are sold out. As expected, this 2023 drop on April ...
Continue ReadingRecord Store Day Black Friday 2022 - Jazz Releases
by Kyle Simpler
Black Friday is a term that has different meanings depending on the context. For some music lovers, it might bring up the Steely Dan song from the 1975 album Katy Lied (ABC). For other music lovers, however, Black Friday is significant because it means there is another Record Store Day event. Originally established to promote independent record stores, each Record Store Day drop features a wide variety of vinyl and CD releases in practically every genre, and jazz ...
Continue ReadingRecord Store Day April 2022 Jazz Releases
by Kyle Simpler
April 23, 2022 marks the fifteenth anniversary of Record Store Day. Over the years, RSD has grown from a small once-a-year experience to multiple events depending on the year. Each RSD drop features limited-edition vinyl releases, which are popular among collectors. More importantly, though, RSD draws attention to independent record stores, many of whom have flourished due in part to being participants in the events. As always, there are several jazz releases in each RSD drop, and this is a ...
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