Author Archives: The Independent Ear

Ain’t But a Few of Us Black music writers tell their story: STEVE MONROE DC-based jazz writer Steve Monroe recently pondered the plight of African American jazz writers based on his own experience in this latest installment in our ongoing … Continue reading →

When the DC-area based multi-instrumental wizard and all around percussion renaissance man Tom Teasley asked me to write liner notes for his latest global percussion release All The World’s A Stage it got me wondering about the evolution of one … Continue reading →

David Baker on the cello, which became his second instrument after an accident ended his trombone days. When friend and Jazz Education Network board colleague (and fine keyboardist in her own right) Monika Herzig – a proud Indiana University grad … Continue reading →

A couple of years back, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the legendary Apollo Theater, I had the great pleasure of contributing two chapters to the lovely commemorative book Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing (“How the Apollo Theater … Continue reading →

One of the more impressive young musicians to arrive in DC in recent years is trombonist Reginald Cyntje. A native of the Virgin Islands, Cyntje is blessed with impressive facility and an immediacy of sound that, coupled with evident section … Continue reading →