Larry Tye: The Jazzmen Who Changed American History

by Lawrence Peryer
September 6, 2025

Today, the Spotlight shines on bestselling author and journalist Larry Tye. Larry's latest book, The Jazzmen, tells the story of how Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie transformed America. But this isn't just another music biography. Larry explores nearly every aspect of the lives and music of these men and demonstrates how their ...

Fall 2025 Season Showcases New England Conservatory's Pathbreaking Vision

August 31, 2025

In its dynamic fall 2025 season,New England Conservatory (NEC) celebrates the legacy of visionary composer and educator Gunther Schuller. In 1967, Schuller began a decade as president of NEC, establishing the first fully accredited Jazz Studies Department at an American conservatory and launching the Third Stream Department. ��Nothing like that had ever existed,�� NEC Dean and ...

The Summer Knows (un ��t�� 42)

by Artur Moral
August 30, 2025

Not so young, but still foolish: arduous is the path chosen by pianist, composer and singer Franck Amsallem, a lesser-known figure--outside his immediate performance circle--even among some of the jazz world's most avid and encyclopedic enthusiasts. Nevertheless, this musician's name should appear in that roster of outstanding French baby boomer keyboardists mentioned in Pierre de Bethmann: ...

Glenn Dickson & Bob Familiar: The Clarinet In The Machine

by Lawrence Peryer
July 26, 2025

Today, the Spotlight shines on clarinetist Glenn Dickson and electronic musician Bob Familiar.When a cutting-edge klezmer artist meets a former rock synthesist, you might expect creative tension. Instead, Glenn and Bob found something else entirely--a shared language that turns clarinet and electronics into the most unlikely yet inspired pairings.Their new album All ...

Kim Perlak: Guitar, Percussion, And The Space Between

by Lawrence Peryer
July 12, 2025

Today, the Spotlight shines on guitarist and composer Kim Perlak. Kim chairs the guitar department at Berklee College of Music, where she's spent over a decade expanding from classical performance into composition and improvisation. Her new album, Spaces (Sacred Black Records), is a collaboration with percussionist Francisco Mela. The record captures four nature-inspired suites ...

Pierre de Bethmann: Sharing a Musical Breakfast in Lyon

by Artur Moral
June 27, 2025

If interviewing a musical figure is usually a great experience, having a face-to-face conversation with one is a true privilege. Besides, it is April in Lyon, cherry trees in blossom... and the roofs of the capital of the French region of Auvergne-Rh?ne-Alpes shine under a splendid spring sun. Pierre de Bethmann, winner of the 2024 Victoire ...

Lorenzo Bellini: Source

by Neil Duggan
June 26, 2025

Source marks the sophomore release from Italian pianist Lorenzo Bellini. After graduating from Boston's Berklee College of Music in 2021 with a performance major, Bellini formed lasting partnerships with his quartet members: guitarist Luca De Toni, bassist Matteo Padoin and drummer Andrea Dionisi, all fellow Berklee alumni who join him on this release. Following his time ...

Coy Simmons

Born: March 21, 2001

Coy Simmons is a Jazz Fusion musician from Decatur, Illinois. His music focuses on heavy and complex emotions conveyed through various instrumental arrangements. His previous project "Vesuvio" has released a self titled album, and his current project is called "Frock" with an album coming soon. He primarily plays alto and soprano saxophone, but is also featured as a guitarist in his own works. Currently he resides in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Zahili Gonzalez Zamora

Born: December 16, 1979

Zahili Gonzalez Zamora, a brilliant Cuban-born, Afro Cuban jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, bandleader, arranger and educator, is releasing a landmark new album on October 24, 2025.

Entitled Overcoming, the album explores her extensive inner journeys through the challenges of her very personal apprehensions that might have held her back from stardom—until now—and finally releasing this album—as a vision of her true self.  The five songs on Overcoming—composed by Zahili and arranged by Zahili and bassist Gerson Lazo—take on deep introspections. “Rumination,” “Blissful Sorrow,” “Despair,” “Duality Embrace,” and finally, “Negra” take listeners inside the heart-searching pieces of her very personal odyssey, creating a beautiful and beguiling landscape into the deepest metamorphosis of her inner soul.

Daniel Casares: From a Cabin in the Woods

by Daniel Casares
June 13, 2025

The Autonomous Region of Galicia, Spain has been slowly nurturing a strong jazz scene in recent decades. The extremely accomplished Abe R��bade (piano) and Paco Charl��n (bass) crossed the Atlantic Ocean over two decades ago to study at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music in Boston. Upon their return to Galicia they established the “Seminario Permanente ...