Archive for March 2020 - Page 5

Singer/songwriter José James has released “No Beginning No End 2,” which serves as a sequel to his 2013 album on Blue Note Records. His fluid mix of jazz, pop, R&B, and soul remains intact, thanks in part to bassist Ben Williams.

Mayones made their Patriot line of basses a little bigger this year – literally. The new Patriot VF 37 features a multi-scale neck that stretches from a 34-inch G-string to a monstrous 37-inch B-string.

Drum Channel recently shared this incredible video of The Jazz Ministry. The band, which features Abraham Laboriel Jr., Abraham Laboriel Sr., Michael Landau, and Greg Mathieson put on a master class in this performance of “QT?.”

Jazz is PHSH has announced “The Phishermen Tour.” Bandleaders Adam Chase and Matthew Chase have put together another great lineup for the outing with Slavic Soul Party trombonist Adam Dotson, Dynamo saxophonist Kevin Gatzke, and bassist Felix Pastorius.

This is trying time for all of us. And for those who make their living playing music, things are even more challenging. That's the focus of this new column Ryan just wrote: from the perspective of a gigging musician and a fan of bands and artists too.

I’ve always loved the music of The Crusaders, so I was excited to find this clip from their 2003 performance of “Street Life” at Montreux. “Ready” Freddie Washington lays down the groove on the tune.

Circles Around the Sun guitarist Neal Casal tragically took his own life late last year, one week after recording a new album. In a note, he asked that the band continue on and the album be completed. The band has honored his wish with their third studio album.

Jackson is expanding its Spectra line of basses this year with three new X Series models: the X Series Spectra Bass SBX IV, the X Series Spectra Bass SBXM IV, and the X Series Spectra Bass SBX V.

Thundercat is set to release his latest album, “It Is What It Is,” next month and is currently on the biggest headlining tour of his career. Last week, he performed “Black Qualls” on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

More of the legendary work of bass hero Jack Bruce has been released to the public with a new Cream box set entitled “Goodbye Tour Live 1968.” The set collects four complete concerts from the power trio’s farewell tour.

As an architect of the Chicago blues sound, Willie Dixon’s music changed the direction of popular music. Now his grandson, Alex Dixon, is continuing the legacy with a new album, “The Real McCoy.” We caught up with Alex to get the scoop.

Our good friend Damian Erskine shared this video on Facebook, and it got us all moving. Check out Outer Orbit performing the Bill Withers hit, “Kissing My Love.” Damian throws down behind one heck of a band.