Author Archives: The Independent Ear

Pianist, composer and occasional vocalist Michele Rosewoman, a native of Oakland, CA, has crafted a unique musical perspective that strives to engage both the jazz and Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions. Her immersion in ancient and contemporary Afro-Cuban musical culture has been … Continue reading →

Ain’t But a Few of Us Black music writers tell their story… Ron Welburn is a professor in the English Department at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and is the Director of the Certificate program in Native American Studies. Of Assateague/Gingaskin … Continue reading →

Drummer-bandleader Willie Jones lll has always impressed as a supremely-skilled, thoughtful craftsman at the traps, someone versatile and comfortable enough to work practically any bandstand fortunate enough to have his skills – from singers to big band and all manner … Continue reading →

There are some artists who are just plain enterprising. These are artists who don’t sit around waiting for the phone to ring, who don’t cry endless tears about the lack of gigs, lack of opportunities, empty pockets, who eschew the … Continue reading →

The demise of the 4-wall record retail store – save for those “local legend” stores like Joe’s Record Paradise (Silver Spring, MD), the Jazz Record Mart (Chicago), Amoeba (L.A. and San Francisco), or the Jazz Record Center (NYC) – certainly … Continue reading →