Documenting the rich history of jazz from its origins in New Orleans to the British jazz explosion of the 1960s and 70s. In-depth features on landmark recordings, influential movements, and the musicians who shaped the genre.
16 articles in this category
On April 21, the late Ian Carr would have turned 93. The Scottish trumpeter, composer, author, and founder of Nucleus left a legacy that continues to shape British and international jazz fusion. Here's a look at the man, his music, and his remarkable second life as a writer.
From 'So What' to 'Take Five,' from 'My Funny Valentine' to 'A Love Supreme' — the definitive list of the 50 greatest jazz recordings ever made, and why each one matters.
Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk created bebop in the 1940s — a faster, more complex, more intellectual form of jazz that declared the music an art form, not entertainment.
Swing is the most popular form jazz has ever taken — the big band era when jazz ruled the charts and filled the dance halls. Here is what swing is, how it works, and why it still matters.
From Billie Holiday to Esperanza Spalding, from Mary Lou Williams to Nubya Garcia — the women who built jazz, broke barriers, and continue to push the music forward.
From Whiplash to Bird, from Round Midnight to Mo' Better Blues — these films capture the drama, beauty, and madness of the jazz life. The definitive list of jazz cinema.
Miles, Coltrane, Ellington, Monk, Parker, Mingus — the most powerful, inspiring, and surprising things jazz legends have said about music, creativity, and life.
From Miles Davis's electric autobiography to Alyn Shipton's definitive history — the essential books that will deepen your understanding and love of jazz.
Modal jazz changed everything by replacing complex chord changes with scales. Here is what that actually means, why it matters, and the albums that defined the movement.
Jazz and blues share deep roots but sound completely different. Here is a clear, honest breakdown of the musical differences — harmony, rhythm, structure, improvisation, and history.
You don't hate jazz — you just haven't heard the right album yet. These 12 records are accessible, beautiful, and guaranteed to change your mind about the genre.
From Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts to John Coltrane's spiritual awakening and Mary Lou Williams's Catholic conversion, Christianity has profoundly shaped jazz. Meet the artists whose faith became inseparable from their music.
Showing 1–12 of 16 articles