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December 23, 2024
Credits: Peter Freed (Patitucci), Robyn Twomey (Oh). Two of the greatest bass players on the planet, John Patitucci and Linda May Han Oh, share stories and strategies to help students and teachers navigate the electric-acoustic divide. Plus: Gear advice and accessories picks. For bassists, life typically begins in one of two ways: on upright, […]
December 18, 2024
Music & Arts teachers share best practices for building a successful teacher-parent rapport. When Andrew Kasab started taking piano lessons as a 5-year-old, his mother would sit in to follow along with Andrew’s progress and reinforce his lessons at home. Decades later, after Kasab became a guitar and bass teacher at Music & Arts, […]
December 12, 2024
Theo Wanne demonstrates the art of mouthpiece refacing at a clinic in Thailand, 2016. All images courtesy of Theo Wanne. The legendary saxophone mouthpiece designer tells the story of his hard-won success, and reflects on a lifetime of striving for peace and beauty through music. If it seems like there’s something extraordinary, even otherworldly, […]
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 […]
