DownBeat

By Scott Robinson   I  Sep. 29, 2026 Scott Robinson, shown here in “The Lab,” will play a recording of the first movement from his long-term project Reach For Tomorrow on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Hunter College in Manhattan. (Photo: Courtesy Scott Robinson) What would a 200-piece orchestra including three contrabass saxophones, five tarogatos, solovox, bass marimba, electric doorbell organ, tower chimes, bass/contrabass banjos and 9-foot Philippine temple drum sound like?

By Michael J. West   I  Sep. 29, 2026 Alto saxophonist and composer ​Immanuel Wilkins has been named a 2026 MacArthur fellow. (Photo: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) Immanuel Wilkins, an alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and Blue Note recording artist based in Brooklyn, New York, is one of 20 recipients of a 2026 MacArthur Fellowship, the MacArthur Foundation announced today, Sept. 29.

By John Murph   I  Sep. 29, 2026 Lalah Hathaway entranced fans at this year’s Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. (Photo: Courtesy Pittsburgh Jazz Fest) Reinforcing modern jazz’s interaction with other genres associated with Black American music remains a hallmark of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF), under the artistic direction of founder, Janis Burley.

By Gary Fukushima   I  Sep. 29, 2026 John Clayton (left), Darlene Chan and Tim Jackson at a September gala in support of the L.A. jazz club Sam First. (Photo: Craig Allyn) In 1968, Geordie Hormel purchased the 22,000-square-foot Masonic Temple in West Los Angeles for $125,000. He was the heir to the giant Hormel meatpacking company, yet he had no interest in pursuing the family business. One could hardly blame him; making sausage and Spam was hardly an inspiring endeavor.

By DownBeat   I  Sep. 29, 2026 With Verve, Impulse! and Blue Note joining STAGE+, subscribers can now explore a wide-ranging selection of jazz in one destination. (Photo: STAGE+) STAGE+ is expanding its jazz offering with the addition of the catalogs of Blue Note Records, Impulse! and Verve Records — all part of Universal Music Group.

News, From the Magazine, John Coltrane By Frank Alkyer   I  Sep. 22, 2026 Record producer Bob Thiele’s classic photo that became the cover of John Coltrane’s landmark album A Love Supreme. (Photo: Bob Thiele) A tribute to John Coltrane is one thing, but there is much more to the iconic saxophonist’s 100th anniversary celebration already in motion. It includes a wealth of Coltrane reissues, newly released historical recordings as well as tribute tours and recordings. Here are a few.

Review, From the Magazine, Nicole Zuraitis By j. poet   I  Sep. 22, 2026 Zuraitis explores the full gamut of a love affair on The Devil I Knew. (Photo: Drew Bordeaux) On The Devil I Knew(La Reserve; ★★★★ 77:32), Nicole Zuraitis has written a five-part album that combines many aspects of popular music — jazz, poetry and a few standards — to create a psychologically savvy soundtrack.

By Bill Meyer   I  Sep. 22, 2026 A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26. (Photo: Courtesy Joshua Redman) The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half past noon on Saturday, Sept.

Interview, From the Magazine, John Coltrane By Bill Milkowski   I  Sep. 22, 2026 “It was just that suddenly … I could hear it,” Ravi Coltrane said of an epiphany he experienced during his late teens regarding his father’s music. “And it was almost like a calling, like something saying, ‘Hey, man, come on. It’s time to get serious.’ And the first time you really tune in and dial in and focus like that, it can be very life-changing.” (Photo: Joe Alper) Editor’s Note: Tomorrow, Sept.

A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers. Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene… Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.