November 7, 2024
Young Swifties go wild at a Taylor covers show, part of the Saturday Morning Tunes concert series in Maryland. Image: Chris Gamber. Sam Sessa, founder of the kid-friendly concert series Saturday Morning Tunes, offers crucial tips for attending live shows with your little ones. Everyone remembers their first concert. The band, the venue, the people […]
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 […]
The bond between musician and musical instrument is special. Most seasoned players will even describe their instrument as an extension of themselves. However, as you progress, you may find yourself at a crossroads: Do you stick with your trusty companion, or is it time to upgrade to something new? Let’s dive into the importance of […]
October 22, 2024
Explore nylon-string technique with these tips from a veteran Nashville-based guitarist and Music & Arts instructor. The Nashville-based guitarist and educator William “Tiger” Fitzhugh, who teaches at the Music & Arts in Hendersonville, Tenn., is a fount of guitar knowledge spanning styles, techniques and eras. He’s also a delightfully funny, self-deprecating storyteller. To wit: Decades […]
October 16, 2024
Classic keyboard parts and solos from the golden age of progressive rock, featuring Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes and more. Robert Moog introduced his signature Moog synthesizer in 1964, five or so years before the Big Bang of progressive rock. But that instrument and that genre were destined to find each other. Both pointed toward a […]
October 14, 2024
Veteran educators share important and practical considerations for music selection. No two band programs are alike, and there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for choosing music. Yet there are certain overarching topics and themes that steer those decisions and build a foundation for brilliant student performances. In this primer, experienced band directors from across the country, spanning […]
October 11, 2024
Credit: Willa Rohrer. 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. Matthew Levy didn’t pick up the saxophone with the intention of pursuing a career in classical music. Growing up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Levy […]
October 10, 2024
One of Latin jazz’s greatest bandleaders offers tips for unlocking the foundation of Afro-Caribbean music. Many musicians who play “Latin jazz” or other styles born out of the Afro-Caribbean/Latin American experience grew up with those styles and internalized their rhythms—particularly the core five-stroke pattern known as the clave. They didn’t just learn the music, they […]
