By Don Heckman I’m still experiencing some of the stunned feelings I had last weekend when I received an email from Bobby Colomby telling me that Lew Soloff had died. And to say that I couldn’t believe it doesn’t at all describe my reaction. Lewie died?! How could that be? This great trumpet player, irresistible… Read More An Appreciation: Lew Soloff, R.I.P.
By Don Heckman Grammmy-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer showcased his impressive solo talents at Vitello’s Friday night for an enthusiastic, overflow crowd sparkling with the presence of such stellar music world listeners as Chris Botti, Billy Childs, Bobby Colomby, John Proulx, Mike Lang, Denise Donatelli, Mark Winkler and others. Seemingly inspired by his audience, Keezer offered… Read More Live Jazz: Geoffrey Keezer at Vitello’s
By Don Heckman Trumpeter Chris Botti has moved, over the past decade, from visibility in the smooth jazz genre – an identity that never really seemed quite right for him – to international prominence as a versatile jazz artist with a unique style of his own. Described by his record company, no doubt accurately, as… Read More Q & A: Chris Botti
By Norton Wright On Gotham’s frigid December 31, a sold-out house of 250 or more at the Blue Note in Greenwich Village (131 West Third Street) was treated to a dazzling performance by Grammy Award winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and his band. It was an hour and a half of sonorous beauty, a vivid… Read More Live Jazz: Chris Botti on New Year’s Eve at NYC’s Blue Note
By Don Heckman The jazz commentators have been rattling their cages a lot lately over the subject of jazz’s possible demise. Or, if not that, its diminishing relevancy. Reading the various takes on the subject — some upbeat, others dire – brought to mind a couple of perceptions about jazz that have come my way… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: Artie Shaw and the Missing Prophets
The International Review of Music 