I'll admit it. Sometimes when I'm forced to talk to new people at a party or at a gig, I can feel myself turning into some kind of autopilot robot, mindlessly carrying on as if the human experience can be easily boiled down to a series of decisions a person makes: how to make a… Continue reading Sara Finkle — SINK or SWIM
This post was originally written for El Paso Jazz Girls, an organization that was founded by vocalist and composer, Amanda Ekery, in an effort to "empower girls in a supportive community that fosters self-expression, confidence, and collaboration through music education and performance." I am eternally grateful to Amanda for presenting me with this opportunity to… Continue reading Summer Playlist: Night and Day
The word is this byrd has been busy! Now that I've finished moving in and out and in again, I thought I would switch things up and share some of what I've been reading this summer. I stumbled upon issue #56 of Wax Poetics Magazine about three years ago and, after reading it cover to… Continue reading What’s The Word?
spotify:user:121217307:playlist:5YhMGPnybMLvijR0ioEdyE Jazzmeia Horn's "Up Above My Head" is a reimagined gospel tune (originally recorded by Sister Rosetta Tharpe) from the Dallas native's debut album A Social Call and is just one of ten expertly arranged jazz and soul standards. Not only is she a winner of both the Sarah Vaughan and Thelonious Monk International Vocal Jazz Competitions, but Jon… Continue reading Songs of the Month: June 2017
For the past six years, Amber Navran (vocals, tenor sax, flute), Andris Mattson (trumpet, keyboards), and Max Bryk (alto sax, clarinet, keyboards) have been quietly making a name for themselves as Moonchild, an LA-based neo-soul jazz trio. The neck-breaking nods to J Dilla combined with Navran's whispery yet sassy Badu vibe have helped them garner the attention of Soulquarian fans… Continue reading Eye to Eye with: Moonchild
While I'm working on my next album review (something I refer to as a"byrdcall") I thought it would be a good idea to start creating monthly playlists of songs I've been listening to. Most of the tracks this month are recent releases, but they won't always be. Enjoy and let me know if you hear something… Continue reading Songs of the Month: Feb 2017
Something BADBADNOTGOOD (BBNG) fans will say about this group is that their approach to the fusion of jazz with other genres is undeniably fresh and unique. Artists like Robert Glasper, Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, The Internet, and (arguably) BBNG have helped usher us into an era where jazz music is becoming more relevant to the younger generation again. Their success… Continue reading BadBadNotGood- IV
Yesterday I arrived back home from my short trip to New York and, although I had a wonderful visit, I'm glad to be back where the pace is a bit slower (and everything is a lot cheaper). I got to check out the Guggenheim Museum, see some high school friends play at the Jazz Gallery,… Continue reading uptown, downtown, and all around
This week's byrdcall is that of a group very near and dear to my heart: AMP Trio. At first glance it might be easy to notice that their names Addison Frei (piano), Matt Young (drums), and Perrin Grace (bass) generate the acronym "AMP", but at first listen one realizes that their union of names… Continue reading AMP Trio- m(y)our world
byrdseyeblog 