Tony Kinsey, who died earlier this month, was a member of the Way Out West collective of musicians in South West London, founded in 2004. Five musicians and friends who are fellow members of the collective – Chris Biscoe, Pete [...]
Barry Guy: Over the last few years the improvised music community has witnessed the passing of so many important players. Now another one has sadly left us – Howard Riley. Countless years ago this wonderful creative pianist gave me the [...]
Today, 2 February 2025, would have been Martin Hummel’s 70th birthday. In this tribute, jazz pianist, composer, author, and retired university professor Darius Brubeck remembers a “great enabler” with respect and gratitude and – inevitably – in sadness. The principle [...]
This article was originally published as Remembering Bobby Wellins – (1936 -2016). We are republishing it on our new site today to mark what would have been the saxophonist’s 89th birthday. Tributes to Bobby Wellins from fellow musicians, and from [...]
Laurie Holloway was a dear friend to both my parents as well as being a surrogate Uncle to me and my two brothers. Alongside the one left by losing Dad, my family now have another large hole in our lives. [...]
Art Mead was one of the unsung heroes of British jazz, one of the many behind-the-scenes supporters of the art form who make the jazz scene as vibrant as it is in spite of the cultural establishment. It’s an honour [...]
The sad news of Ustad Zakir Hussain’s passing has left the musical and cultural world in profound shock and sorrow. The son of the late, great Ustad Alla Rakha, Zakir Ji carried forward his father’s legacy with extraordinary brilliance, while [...]
When the New York Times reported the passing of Roy Haynes last week, American drummer Adam Nussbaum wrote on Facebook: “What a treasure! he was from the past, but it sounded like he was born in the future”. Charlie Rees [...]
“We both love Charlie Parker, so I think we should be friends!” That was how I introduced myself to Lou Donaldson in 2003. I had just moved to NYC to go to college; at 17 years old I had already [...]
One of the interesting things I have observed about Jazz, which perhaps sets it apart from other genres, is that sooner or later – if you stay the course – there’s a good chance you may meet the very people [...]
