Mike Karn

axophonist and bassist Michael Karn has been involved in the New York jazz scene for more than 20 years, and in that time he has worked with many of the music worlds most creative artists. Michael started in music as a tenor saxophonist, and after graduating high school he attended New York University, where his teachers were Joe Lovano and Jim McNeely. After college Michael immediately joined the Ray Charles Orchestra, and spent 1988 and '89 touring the United States, Europe, and Japan. Michael appeared with Ray at the Northsea and Playboy Jazz Festivals, and at such venues as the Blue Note, The Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and the Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts. At the beginning of 1990 Michael resettled in New York, and since then he has been both a member of several top-flight ensembles, and an in-demand freelancer

Introducing Pianist Ben Collins-Siegel

by Sanford Josephson
July 2, 2025

I first saw Ben Collins-Siegel play piano in July 2019 at the Roselle Park Jazz Festival. Then a 12-year-old seventh grader at Maplewood Middle School, he led off a performance by the JTole Jazz Orchestra of Thad Jones' “Counter Block," written for the Count Basie Orchestra. It was stunning. JTole stands for Julius Tolentino, ...

Boss Baritones

By Gary Smulyan

Label: SteepleChase Records
Released: 2024
Track listing: Oh Ghee; I'll Never Be The Same; Star Eyes; Hey Lock; Black Velvet; Fifty-Six; Land Of Dreams; Byas A Drink; Straight Ahead.

Gary Smulyan: Boss Baritones

by David A. Orthmann
September 16, 2024

The once-popular pairings of such incisive hard-blowing saxophonists as Johnny Griffin with Eddie “Lockjaw" Davis and Gene Ammons with Sonny Stitt constitute some of the inspiration behind the making of Boss Baritones. Incorporating material penned by Griffin, Davis, Illinois Jacquet, Don Byas and J.R. Monterose indicates a healthy respect for giants who may no longer be ...

Stage & Screen

By John Pizzarelli

Label: Palmetto Records
Released: 2023
Track listing: Too Close For Comfort; I Love Betsy; I Want To Be Happy; Tea for Two; Just In Time; Some Other Time; Where Or When; Oklahoma Suite; Time After Time; You��re All The World To Me; As Time Goes By; Coffee In A Cardboard Cup.

With Roses

By Harry Allen

Label: Triangle7
Released: 2023
Track listing: It All Catches Up with You in the End; Be the One; The Maestro; Here in Rome; That Far Away Fella; Diamonds; That's When the Fun Starts; With Roses; Takes a Moment; On My Way.

Green On The Scene

By Nick Green

Label: Cellar Music Group
Released: 2023
Track listing: Red Cross; Cheatin'; Horizons; A Handful of Stars; The Song Is You; All The Things You Are;' You-Kraine (Song For Ukraine); A Tear and a Smile; Barry

Up Swing

By Robert Edwards

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2023
Track listing: Edges; Baubles, Bangles, and Beads; Stand Up!; Time to Shine; Groundwork; Healing the Heart; Don't Blame Me; The Manhattaners; My Way; Rocks, Lime; Cupbearers.

Robert Edwards: Up Swing

by Edward Blanco
November 8, 2023

Veteran trombonist, educator and bandleader Robert Edwards is a fixture of New York City jazz scene, performing in many of the jazz venues in the city and, as of this writing, becoming the newest member of the famed Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Edwards fronts a marvelous quintet that has been performing regularly at Smalls Jazz Club for ...

Nick Green: Green On The Scene

by Pierre Giroux
September 6, 2023

Nick Green's latest release, Green On The Scene, is a captivating musical journey which combines masterful instrumentation, intricate compositions and a profound sense of improvisational exploration. Accompanied by trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Mike Karn and the inestimable drummer Kenny Washington, the band embarks on a set list of compositions which are at the ...