Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes

Randy Brecker, Nostalgic Journey: Tykocin Jazz Suite (Summit Records) Three words come to mind after a listen to trumpeter Randy Brecker’s ...

There is a lot of programming diversity going on near and far for jazz and jazz venues in September. These caught my interest. I know I will...

You say you don't buy the tired old saw "jazz is dead"? It's time to show it's not so, and today's social networki...

On September 20, jazz great Dave Brubeck will have something in common with Bonnie Raitt, Sting, Loretta Lynn and Gloria and Emilio Estefan ...

Chuck Owen & The Jazz Surge, The Comet’s Tail (MAMA Records) Tampa-based Chuck Owen is directs the University of South Florida’s Center...

My full review of George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55 in Newport was published today on allaboutjazz.com . It continues to be an a...

This Labor Day Weekend’s Tanglewood Jazz Festival in Lenox MA has tweaked its programming a bit to further bridge jazz and classical music f...

Donny McCaslin, Declaration (Sunnyside) When I first heard tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin in 1987, he was still a student at the Berklee ...

Once something goes away – or is threatened with going aw ay – you find out how much it is appreciated. That was the case this past weekend ...

Going into 2009, we wondered whether the Newport Jazz Festival as we’ve known it all these years, would ever be back - given the financial s...

Roy Hargrove Big Band, Emergence (Groovin’ High/Emarcy) Trumpeter Hargrove has dipped his horn, and his creative prowess, into a lot of mus...

Jazz festival fans can rejoice with something tangible in Newport. The 50th anniversary edition of the folk festival – George Wein’s Folk Fe...

Steve Kuhn, Mostly Coltrane (ECM) Pianist Steve Kuhn has teamed up with saxophonist Joe Lovano for this exquisite recording, which captures...

In a year when more than a few jazz-related entities have been on the ropes, closed their doors or reinvented themselves, it is interesting ...

Art Pepper, The Art History Project (Widow’s Taste) The alto saxophonist Art Pepper spent 15 years in and out of prison and/or rehab becaus...

I got an e-mailed announcement today concerning the lineup for Jazz Apen Snowmass’s annual Labor Day Weekend festival. One hopes to see jazz...

Daryl Sherman, Johnny Mercer – A Centennial Tribute (Arbors) The great lyricist Johnny Mercer would have loved this tribute from charming s...

50, 30, 55. The numbers have been all over the lot this year with significant anniversaries for historic recordings, jazz festival founding...

You never know where or when the music is going to catch you off guard. The surprising moments stick with the psyche. We had to bail out ear...

Frank Glover, Politico (Owl Studios) Indianapolis-based clarinetist Frank Glover released Politico locally in 2005 and it is for our benefi...

There was something to cheer about for readers and contributors alike, as Ben Ratliff reported in today's New York Times that JazzTimes...

Here's a promised link to my Marvin Stamm profile that was published this month in Hot House magazine.Marvin had a milestone birthday i...

Just a day after George Wein announced that CareFusion will be the title sponsor for his jazz festivals in Newport starting this year and Ne...

Yes, there is life for George Wein's New Festival Productions operation beyond his commitment to stage both jazz and folk festivals this...

I've just filed my review of Freihofer's Jazz Festival in bucolic Saratoga Springs NY, held June 27-28, to allaboutjazz.com . I'...

What a way to kick off the Montreal International Jazz Festival’s 30th edition, a 13-day programming marvel that opened June 30 and runs thr...

6 - major award winners in 2009. (Bruce Lundvall, Stevie Wonder, John Pizzarelli, Ornette Coleman, Susie Arioli, Toots & The Maytalls)...

Here’s a dose of CDs of interest, as I head out for a week of travels to Freihofer’s Jazz Festival in Saratoga NY and the Montreal Internati...