Author Archives: The Independent Ear

The first time I caught Ralph Peterson, Jr. live was a 1986 performance by the Blue Note Records band Out of the Blue (OTB).  The band, befitting its era as a sort of Young Lions on steroids unit, included Kenny … Continue reading →

R.I.P.—Brooklyn born jazz giant, pianist Ed Stoute moved on from our plane of existence to join musicians in a heaven ripe for listening to his talented fingers. Stoute traveled the world with the flavor of Brooklyn’s Bebop, with jazz standards … Continue reading →

Last week’s post featured a May 1999 performance by a special Oliver Lake Sextet in homage to Eric Dolphy at the legendary Five Spot Cafe.  Our Lost Jazz Shrines: Five Spot series actually kicked off by a very special performance … Continue reading →

In 1998 my friend, colleague and longtime arts consultant Mikki Shepard and I met with David Jackson, a then Memphis-based journalist who had done significant time in New York and to whom I’d been previously introduced by our mutual friend, … Continue reading →

DMV-based pianist Chris Grasso has carved out a niche that certainly qualifies him for the pantheon of great jazz vocal piano accompanists.  That admirable coterie includes a distinguished list of piano accompanists who were and are particularly adept at providing … Continue reading →