Your go-to resource for all things band and orchestra
January 16, 2025
Elijah Wald, whose book Dylan Goes Electric! inspired the new biopic A Complete Unknown, talks about the musicianship of an American icon. Plus: Music & Arts Gear & Book Guide A funny thing began happening at multiplex movie theaters this past holiday season. Rock ’n’ roll experts and veteran musicians went to see a […]
January 13, 2025
When musicians of all stripes have gear-transportation problems, Gator has durable, smartly designed solutions. “Alligators are tough,” says Rob Garofala, director of U.S. Sales for Gator Cases, one of the world’s most popular instrument-accessory companies. He’s referring, first off, to the animals—the seemingly indestructible creatures that slither throughout our various wetlands, bearing a distinctive skin […]
January 7, 2025
Inside the history and industry-defining innovations of the world’s premier sheet-music publisher. Each and every Friday, at 12 a.m. Eastern time, thousands of new songs hit streaming platforms, pushing popular music forward and offering a new crop of contenders for Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The staff at Hal Leonard—the world’s foremost publisher of sheet music, […]
November 18, 2024
Jones (left) and McBride backstage at the 2016 Monterey Jazz Festival, where the bassist served as musical director for an all-star tribute to the legendary producer. Credit: ©2016 Monterey Jazz Festival/R. Cole Thompson. McBride, one of jazz’s most important musicians and personalities, reflects on the musical and social genius of the late American icon. “The […]
November 14, 2024
Thomas, whose Revive Big Band has a new album titled Like a Tree It Grows. Credit: Kasia Idzkowska. 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. Back in 2010, Igmar Thomas found himself leading a jam session […]
November 6, 2024
Credit: Anna Yatskevich. 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. In many ways, the extraordinary career of saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer and […]
October 31, 2024
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 Around 2019, Tony Levin was deep into another tour with King Crimson, playing some of the most complex and intimidating prog-rock ever recorded. Warming up backstage after […]
October 25, 2024
Terence Blanchard. Credit: Cedric Angeles. 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. “I didn’t know you were allowed to play the piano like that.” So recalls the acclaimed jazz pianist and composer […]
