A century ago an extraordinary singular human by the name of Marshall Allen was beamed to this planet. He was to go on to become a member of iconic Afro-futurist jazz pioneer Sun Ra’s Arkestra and remains a central figure of the band to this day. Daniel Spicer called him up to discover the secrets of his otherworldly musical life force
Kevin Whitlock tells the tragic story of Beverly Kenney, the hugely gifted 1950s singer-songwriter who took her own life at the age of just 28
A prodigiously talented young pianist and composer, Jahari Stampley has been drawing admirers from across the world of jazz, including no less a giant than Herbie Hancock. Jane Cornwell meets him
The Trinidadian-born, US-based trumpeter Etienne Charles speaks to David Gallant about how he got started in music and the instruments he’s played over the years
Miles Davis percussionist Marilyn Mazur tells Brian Glasser how her former employer’s fusion masterpiece Bitches Brew that changed her musical life
Blending Scandi atmospherics with New York hipness, Jakob Bro is one of the most in-demand of contemporary jazz guitarists. As Taking Turns, his latest album on ECM, is released, he speaks to Peter Jones about the driving forces behind his sound
Long mutual admirers, bassist esperanza spalding and legendary Latin singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento recently released an acclaimed album, Milton + esperanza. Jane Cornwell spoke to both of them about this magical cross-generational collaboration
Still reeling from John Coltrane’s departure from his band, the early 1960s saw Miles Davis in transition. With the release of 'Miles in France – Miles Davis Quintet 1963/64: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8', we get to hear at length the next stage of this sonic evolution
Known for their roles in stadium-filling band Snarky Puppy, pianist Bill Laurance and bassist/oudist Michael League’s disarming 2023 duo album Where You Wish You Were revealed a starkly beautiful new sound. As its follow up Keeping Company is released, Ammar Kalia speaks to the pair about how they turned up the quiet
