Jazz Explorer

10/27/2025

Hi Jazz Explorer !
A jazz great has passed away. The legendary drummer died on October 26, 2025, at the age of 83.

From his early days playing piano in Chicago with the AACM, he became a driving force behind some of the most daring fusions in jazz. He made a name for himself with Charles Lloyd's quartet and then replaced Tony Williams as the lead drummer on Miles Davis's 1969 album Bi***es Brew. Miles admired his ability to combine rock grooves with jazz improvisation.

From co-founding the renowned Standards Trio with Keith Jarrett and Gary Peacock to leading his own projects, such as Compost and Special Edition, DeJohnette's influence was immense. His ability to play free jazz, jazz fusion, and R&B made him one of the most respected musicians of his generation.

Thank you for the music, Jack.

10/22/2025

10/17/2025

Oscar Peterson

"Waltz for Debby" is a jazz standard composed by pianist Bill Evans. He recorded it as a solo piano piece on his album New Jazz Conceptions (1956). Lyrics we...

10/17/2025

Happy birthday to the legendary Cozy Cole (October 17, 1909–January 29, 1981)!
This American jazz great and versatile percussionist is best remembered for his 1958 smash hit, "Topsy," the only recording featuring a drum solo to sell over a million copies. Now that's rhythm!

09/30/2025

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupI Wish You Love (2004 Remastered/Remixed) · Nancy WilsonSomething Wonderful℗ 2004 Capitol Records, LLCReleased on...

09/28/2025

Nina Simone (by Alfred Wertheimer)

09/23/2025

John Coltrane - Equinox

Provided to YouTube by Rhino AtlanticEquinox · John ColtraneColtrane's Sound℗ 1964 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International...

09/23/2025

Happy birthday John Coltrane! 🎷🎂
John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was a hugely influential American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He was a pivotal figure in the development of avant-garde and free jazz. His career spanned from the bebop era to his own unique sound, which was characterized by his "sheets of sound" technique. His most famous album, A Love Supreme, is widely considered a masterpiece of spiritual jazz. Coltrane's music was known for its deep spirituality and exploration, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians today.

09/05/2025

Two icons Billie Holiday and William Faulkner, photographed in 1956 by Moneta Sleet Jr.

08/31/2025

DC JAZZ FEST: Today is the day, ladies and gents, for the noteworthy festivities of the DC Jazz Festival. Many impressive artists will be gracing the stage, from Marcus Miller to Emmet Cohen– and, of course, Yours Truly 😉

The DC Jazz Festival was founded in 2004 by Charles Fishman and Stephanie Peters to bring a world-class jazz celebration to the nation’s capital. Originally launched as the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in 2005, its debut featured more than 30,000 attendees, performances by NEA Jazz Masters Dave Brubeck and Wayne Shorter, and concerts across 18 venues, from the Kennedy Center to the National Mall. The event quickly established itself as a citywide tradition, earning Congressional recognition and a reputation for presenting both jazz legends and rising stars. Here I am at last year’s festival in some very notable company 😉

I shall be in attendance this year with my Foursight Quartet (Jimmy Greene, Donald Vega, & Payton Crossley) on this very day: Sunday, August 31st, at The Wharf. I hope to see you there, ladies and gents… Learn more via www.RonCarterJazz.com

08/31/2025

Nat King Cole, Eartha Kitt, and Cab Calloway on set of St. Louis Blues, 1958

08/31/2025

Billie Ekstine and Charlie Parker