46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 8, 2025

46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest Playhouse Square Cleveland, OH June 26-28, 2025 Jazz festivals occupy a precarious space these days. Pressured by financial constraints, too many have drifted toward booking artists with only a passing connection to the jazz tradition. Cuts to both public and private funding have only compounded ...

Lee Morgan: Here's Lee Morgan

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 5, 2025

While Craft Recordings' new OJC reissue series has largely drawn from its treasure trove of Prestige and Riverside titles, the label recently expanded its scope to include two standout jazz albums from Chicago's historic Vee-Jay Records. Founded in 1953 by husband-and-wife team James Bracken and Vivian Carter, Vee-Jay was not only one of the ...

OJC Piano Greatness: Thelonious Monk & Bill Evans

by C. Andrew Hovan
June 30, 2025

Having been a source of quality reissues back when vinyl was still king, it is fitting that the Original Jazz Classics series has returned now that the vinyl renaissance continues to carry on full-force among the music-buying public. Now in its second full year of releases, Craft Recordings continues to mine its impressive back catalog for ...

OJC Odds & Ends: From Cal Tjader to Mal Waldron

by C. Andrew Hovan
May 12, 2025

Once the vinyl renaissance confirmed that record labels could bring in a steady income just by tapping their holdings, they began combing their archives to fuel a steady stream of reissues. With a catalog of more than 1.2 million songs, Concord Records was uniquely positioned to capitalize on this resurgence. Its Craft Recordings subsidiary has emerged ...

Kurt Elling and Peter Erskine at the Michigan Theater

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 23, 2025

Kurt Elling Celebrates Weather Report featuring Peter Erskine Michigan Theater 49th Performance of the 146th UMS Season Ann Arbor, Michigan April 11, 2025 With two Grammy Awards to his name and a long list of press accolades--including holding the top spot in the DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls for over ...

Altin Sencalar: Unleashed

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 19, 2025

Often overshadowed by other solo instruments, the trombone boasts a rich history in jazz--one so vast it could fill volumes. New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, also gave rise to Kid Ory, a pioneer of the “tailgate" style of trombone playing. In the early 1900s, bandleaders often promoted their shows by parading through town on horse-drawn ...

Jim Snidero at the Bop Stop

by C. Andrew Hovan
March 24, 2025

Peter Erskine: Revisiting Weather Report

by C. Andrew Hovan
March 20, 2025

A standout drum prodigy of his generation, Peter Erskine began playing at the age of four. After honing his skills at Interlochen, he launched his professional career in 1972 with Stan Kenton. Four years later, he joined Maynard Ferguson before making a pivotal move, replacing Alex Acuña in Weather Report. In the spring ...

Nate Smith at The Cleveland Museum of Art

by C. Andrew Hovan
March 2, 2025

Nate Smith Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, Ohio February 19, 2025 When it comes to drummers who can seamlessly traverse multiple genres, Nate Smith stands in a league of his own. Effortlessly shifting from hard-swinging jazz to the tightest hip-hop grooves, he makes it all look easy. His musical journey accelerated ...

One For All: Big George

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 9, 2025

The world has changed dramatically since the end of the 20th century, the time period when the jazz collective One For All began to forge their stamp on the history of hard bop. Using the club Augie's on New York's upper west side as their stomping grounds, the group would make their debut recording at the ...