Author Archives: The Independent Ear

Back in 1968 in my Freshman year at Kent State, when I was basically getting my feet wet in this music we call jazz, I was encouraged by a good friend to check out a concert on the campus of … Continue reading →

For the past dozen years I’ve been curating a Spring series at Tribeca Performing Arts Center that celebrates historic, now-lost jazz venues around Manhattan. This Spring our focus lands on the legendary Birdland. We’ve viewing Birdland through the prism of … Continue reading →

No hidden agendas here; taking particular interest and pride in younger African Americans who are working in jazz in entrepreneurial pursuits, last January at the NEA Jazz Masters awards program at Dizzy’s, at the pre-show media event, I met Brian … Continue reading →

Being a jazz concert and festival presenter, radio programmer, and journalist I am the fortunate recipient of all manner of new and recent CD releases and digital downloads from artists, spouses, publicists, labels and friends. That phenomenon has increased exponentially … Continue reading →

Last evening, Monday, April 29, was a great night of youthful jazz at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) as the school presented its 27th annual Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival. The event featured performances by the … Continue reading →