Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes

Amina Figarova, Sketches (BMCD / Munich Records) Netherlands-based, Azerbaijan -born pianist and composer Amina Figerova had the early crow...

The Chinese Lunar Calendar considers 2010 as the Year of the Tiger, but in the jazz c alendar this is the Year of the Colossus. Why? All of...

Bands led by trumpeters are in the spotlight… Miles Davis, Bitches Brew: 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Columbia/Legacy) Two weeks a...

When you've made an indelible imprint on an art form - people take notice. Particularly when that effort has helped fuel their own succe...

JazzTimes.com today posted my review and imagery from last weekend's Tanglewood Jazz Festival in the Berkshire Hills of western Massach...

Tamir Hendelman , Destinations (Resonance) If you love jazz piano trios, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a be tter example of their results...

Every summer during my festival wanderings, I get one or more similar pitches. “You really need to go to X.” or “You need to come here… It’s...

Dave Bass Quartet, Gone (Dave Bass Music) One listen to this dynamic disc and you’ll be asking yo urself: “Where has Dave Bass been all the...

In addition to my Newport Jazz Festival review and 21 companion images published Monday on JazzTimes.com... here are a few more of my favori...

I'm just back from this year's CareFusion Newport Jazz Festi val and have put together an overview for JazzTimes.com , along with im...

This week, singers are in the spotlight... Fay Claassen, Sing! (Challenge) This is a gem, pairing Dutch jazz singer Fay Claassen’s fine voc...

What an amazing ride for Carol Stone and her husband, Wood y Woodland, who founded the Cape May Jazz Festival 17 years ago to bring jazz fan...

Christine Jensen, Treelines (Justin Time) Canadian saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen has added ano ther strong branch to the musica...

Every time Dave Brubeck plays the Newport Jazz Festival, he breaks his own record. The pianist, who will turn 90 this December 6, has perfor...

Here are a few visual treats from my coverage of the 31st annual Montreal International Jazz Festival. The musical choices were bountiful an...