So much wisdom and taste.

Just back from seeing the sublime jazz duo of bassist Ron Carter and guitarist Bill Frisell at Birdland -a joyous jazz-standard journey by two masters. Ron is 89 (!) and playing better than ever, and they explored the harmonic nuance of these songs like they had been born playing them. They are playing for I think one more night, if you're in the NYC area and can make it, go!

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Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on 10/15/2026

i’ve been listening to this one on repeat lately and want more. the psychedelic dreamy aspects of it are just so so good. any recs?

Cincinnati, October 13 @ The Ludlow Garage. She was amazing.. 100 minute set..

Late show

I LOVE practicing in all 12 keys. It trains your ear to hear function rather than be a slave to muscle memory.

That said, I have run into trouble as a composer when I have handed out charts in E, A, F#, or B. As a pianist, I love these keys, I think they sound refreshing compared to the typical flat keys. But, when horn players read my charts, many of whom are high level, theres a noticeable dip in the strength of their vocabulary come the solos. There are plenty of killing solos in E or B, but the vast majority of jazz players are more likely to be "in their bag" playing familiar keys (Eb, F, Bb, Ab) even if they practice in all 12.

Even in standards written in sharp keys, I've had horn players clarify "In Bb" or "in F" before we play. Songs such as "Isn't She Lovely", "Triste", "Red Clay" for example.

People who gig/perform frequently, what is your input on the "all 12 keys" mantra when it comes to performing live?

Hello,

I've only just gotten into jazz and have found myself drawn to a number of vocal jazz artists. I was hoping to get some recommendations based on my taste, if people have any. I like the well known names like Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, but I've also found a few lesser known names (to me at least) who have really drawn me in. Artists like Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan and Helen Merrill in particular.

I'm drawn to the intimate 'smokey late night' club albums of many of these artists, but also appreciate some of their more orchestral and boppier work. I think what I'm attracted to is a distinctive voice and subtelty. For example, Peggy Lee I think is a very understated singer and doesn't try to do too much, but when you listen closely to what she's doing it seems very technical to me. I think I'm attracted to that kind of 'understated' vocal skill.

Who are some of your favourite vocalists outside of some of the more common names? I would also really love some male jazz vocalist recommendations. Can be old or new!

The annual Jazz Carnival is organized by JZ Club in Shanghai. It opened yesterday with vintage songs and swing music of the 1940s.

Just wondering… used to sit in on my dad’s rehearsals as a kid, miss those days.

Simply beautiful…

Only really started getting into this wonderful genre just a month ago and have been trying to consume as much info about it as possible. Still have a lot of classics i don't have yet but please throw me some recommendations!

Hey guys, I have two tickets for Ravi Coltrane to sell at the Village Vanguard tomorrow at 8pm. Got them as a gift but can’t make it! Feel free to reach out if interested, I’m happy to sell them a bit cheaper than OG price.

Rob

My buddy and I both went to undergrad for jazz, we are mid 20s and now working white collar jobs. I have a space to play, and we just want to play some tunes together on the weekends, and maybe eventually have some weekend gigs.

I’d say we’re upper intermediate, but not really sure. Ideally we’re looking for someone who is an amateur/hobbyist and not someone who is a demon, but both of us are definitely competent and well versed in the music.

I’ve been playing at smalls on some weekends and he just moved here recently. Know I can recruit some fellas from there but figured I’d just take a shot in the dark here to find more people who fit the bill.

PM if interested.

Im in a high-school jazz band, I play vibraphone, and I would love to play a piece that makes vibraphone an integral part. Not just having a vibraphone part, but in the way Moanin' features sax. im a pretty advanced player, so the vibraphone part can be hard. The rest of the band can play grade 3. I've looked for pieces that at least kind of fit all the criteria and I havent been able to find any, if anyone could recommend me some that'd be great!

Hey everyone, wanted to share this live homage to Coltrane's seminal October 1960 quartet recording of 'My Favorite Things'. Instead of the traditional musical theater version, I wanted to capture that exact modal jazz shift using simultaneous two-handed tapping on a custom 14-string electric guitar (7+7 baritone/standard tuning) while independently controlling a modular foot drum kit. Everything you hear is 100% live in real-time—no loop stations, backing tracks, or overdubs.

I'm starting with O by Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly. It's International Anthem, and the advance tracks were good.

What are you listening to today?

Hello,

I’m a bit stuck figuring out the chord functions in the New Real Books chord chart for Ain’t Misbehavin.

Specifically the E7#5 in bar 3 and whatever’s going on in the first 4 bars of B section.

E7#5: is it acting in more of a way than just III7#5? Also functioning as C#5 with add9?

First 4 bars of b section: vi7-IV7-II7-VI7. Just confusing to me as not moving in 4ths or are the dominants functioning in other way?

Any help/opinion would be appreciated. TIA.

At 3:30 Steve Davis plays a lick that sounds so familiar but I can’t figure it out. Anyone got a clue?

Steve Davis: How Deep is the Ocean

https://youtu.be/TZbXNIz97jY?is=F1OX9ZgNlKsihPjN