James Hale

James Brandon Lewis Quartet Abstraction Is Deliverance (Intakt) By James Hale  |   Published August 2025 Moody, contemplative and gorgeously expressive, Abstraction Is Deliverance is the work of a quartet that deserves its place in the front rank of contemporary creative music. With the exception of the title piece — the album’s most aggressive performance, featuring high-level interplay and an extremely powerful saxophone component — this is a dark-hued work that’s both eloquent and emotive.

Live, Chris Potter, Melissa Aldana, Lakecia Benjamin, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dave Holland, Keyon Harrold, Jason Moran By James Hale   I  Aug. 13, 2024 In its third edition since rebounding from senior management changes and COVID-related disruptions, the 44th Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, held June 27–July 6, didn’t seem to have dropped a beat this summer, drawing massive crowds to both its free plein air shows and paid indoor concerts.

News, From the Magazine, Various Artists By James Hale   I  Apr. 10, 2024 Forty-five years after a handful of jazz enthusiasts in the Canadian cities of Montreal and Ottawa transformed their love affairs with jazz into annual summer festivals, the two events are navigating through changing times.