Category: Artist Interviews

Jazz Saxophone Reed Guide: Pro Tips

Four great saxophonists in modern and contemporary jazz — Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Lakecia Benjamin and Miguel Zenón — offer expert advice based on decades of selecting, preparing and storing reeds.

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Music & Artists: Béla Fleck

The world-renowned banjo master offers beginner tips as well as insight into his Gold Tone Mastertone “Bluegrass Heart” banjo.  

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Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Big Bad Master Class

As Yamaha clinicians, the swing-revival aces take their fun-loving approach to schools across the country. Glen “The Kid” Marhevka, featured trumpet soloist and lead clinician, reflects on music education and how the retro-swing movement changed the perception of band kids.

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Igmar_Kasia Idzkowska

Igmar Thomas & the Art of Big-Band Beats

Leader of the Revive Big Band and collaborator to rap royalty, the trumpeter and composer-arranger offers expert guidance on making hip-hop work for a large ensemble.

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Alexa Tarantino Saxophonist

Alexa Tarantino: ‘Family & Community & Good Vibes’

In a new in-depth Music & Artists video interview, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra saxophonist talks about the importance of old-school ear training, the joyful camaraderie of big bands, and why making mistakes is a great way to learn.

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Tony Levin Bassist

Tony Levin: Profiles in Education

The legendary bassist on his school-band experiences, his greatest teachers and how his mustache led to the end of his tuba career. Plus: Inside Levin’s BEAT touring rig

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Terence Blanchard

Jazz Brain / Classical Brain: A Survey

Terence Blanchard, Ethan Iverson, Aaron Diehl, Helen Sung, Natalie Tenenbaum and other luminaries talk about the issues surrounding the jazz/classical divide—from technique and theory to conservatory culture and diversity.

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PRISM Quartet’s Matthew Levy

PRISM Quartet’s Matthew Levy: Profiles in Education

The director of the groundbreaking saxophone ensemble reflects on the teachers who changed his life, his own career as an educator, his Selmer horns and more.

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Bobby Sanabria

Bobby Sanabria’s Secrets of the Clave

One of Latin jazz’s greatest bandleaders offers tips for unlocking the foundation of Afro-Caribbean music.

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Tyler Grant Composer

Inspired by Inspiration: Tyler S. Grant’s ‘In Your Wildest Dreams’

The acclaimed composer goes inside the making of his new Project Imagine commission. For many composers, the title of a work is often an afterthought. But in the case of Tyler S. Grant’s In Your Wildest Dreams, those four words led the way. “I knew I had a title so I had something to latch […]

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