April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). It was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the heritage of jazz, and there’s plenty to celebrate in the jazz world—familiar jazz releases, birthday shoutouts, and more.
On April 12, the iconic jazz station WBGO 88.3 FM in Newark, New Jersey celebrated its 44th birthday. Many a day I have listened to WBGO and will miss the outstanding radio host, Ron Crocker, who recently passed at the age of 78.
I loved to listen to his diversity of songs on a Saturday night. He was someone who truly loved jazz and played his music with as much feeling and soul as some of the artists that he would play during his show. I will miss him dearly.
Jazz living legend Herbie Hancock’s only Latin jazz/modal album, “Inventions and Dimensions,” was released this month 60 years ago back in 1964. Hancock also just celebrated his 84th birthday on April 12.
Happy birthday to three jazz ladies who were born in April: Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917), Carmen McRae (April 8, 1920), and Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915). Look out for “ELLA: A Novel” by Diane Richards from Amistad Books (May 7). You can learn about how Fitzgerald’s formative years were shaped before she became the First Lady of Song.
Celebrate JAM by shopping on the Verve Records store website for 20%-off music, merch and more at jazz.centerstagestore.com. My pick is “Billie Holiday: Songs For Distingue Lovers” (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) LP.
In honor of JAM, the NAfME Council for Jazz Education is providing a series of interviews with music educators and artists explaining how to get young students acquainted with improvising, and more on their website.
JAM is a good time to get to know the headliners for the 2024 Twin Cities Jazz Festival happening June 21 and 22 at Mears Park located in downtown St. Paul.
On Friday, June 21 vibraphonist Stefon Harris and his band Blackout will perform at 8:30 p.m. Earlier in the evening, vocalist Karrin Allyson will perform at 6 p.m. On Saturday, June 22 the line-up includes saxophonist Joe Lovano and his Quartet featuring Kenny Werner, John Lockwood and Francisco Mela at 6 p.m. Also that night, violinist Regina Carter and her Quartet will perform at 8:30 p.m.
Harris hasn’t performed with Blackout here in the Twin Cities in years, but when they did last, it was at the Dakota. This is around the time of the band’s release “Evolution” from Blue Note Records. That album has a beautiful version of Sting’s “Until.”
The level of musicianship is out of this world—technically and artistically advanced. I had looked forward to seeing multi-instrumentalist Casey Benjamin, a member of Blackout, but he sadly passed away recently at the age of 45.
Allyson has performed at the Dakota several times throughout the years as she has ties to the Twin Cities. Her 2002 release, “Blue,” is a personal favorite. One standout track from that release is “The Meaning of the Blues.” She’s a great bandleader and has been nominated for Grammy-Awards at least five times. Allyson is a masterful interpreter of song and has a way with ballads in particular.
It’s been a while since Lovano has been to the Twin Cities, so it will be nice to welcome him back. On March 8, I caught him via live-stream with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for a special night of music honoring the late great saxophonist Wayne Shorter. He’s 71 years old and still thrilling audiences with his Grammy-winning robust and swinging artistic expression.
Carter hasn’t been here in a minute, either. In the early 2000s, I remember when she performed at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis and blew everyone away. “Paganini: After a Dream” from 2003 is a favorite recording, but her album “Southern Comfort” is equally exquisite.
Another reason to appreciate jazz and what’s coming up next is this: Pianist Christian Sands brings his trio to the Dakota on Tuesday, May 13. He was here with bassist Christian McBride at the TC Jazzfest last year.
If you really want to check him out ahead of time, I suggest listening to him as a member of McBride’s trio on “Live at the Village Vanguard” from 2015. His playing on the track “The Lady in My Life” is simply magnificent. For tickets, visit www.dakotacooks.com.