The end of the year closes fast: early deadlines to meet before the holidays, “Best Of” lists to compile, and of course, clearing the decks for the onrush of
new albums, books, podcasts, concerts and club shows that start to rev up in January. There’s plenty to keep JJA members listening, reading — and producing new work.
But as you’ll see, it’ll be hard to top the pace of activity (below) that our members have reached in the last month. It caps off a banner year for the JJA, not least because of our collection of members’ work in
The Jazz Omnibus and the growth of The Buzz, out podcast. Take a look or a listen, and follow us on social media: it makes a difference.
New members include Twin Cities radio host Chris Cartwright; musician/journalist Timothy Cox of Westminster, MD, who is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists; photographer Darrel McKaig, who runs the Live JazzKC.com website and calendar; and writer and broadcaster Konstantin Rega of Richmond, VA. We also note the passing of pioneering Russian jazz critic and journalist, and later radio host Dmitri Ukhov, in August at the age of 79.
Here’s what we’ve been doing — and Happy New Year!
Anita Brown has received a Support for Artists grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for Fiscal Year 2026 to support her work as a composer. Sponsored by Fractured Atlas, this award will fund the composition of Slices of the Gradient, to be premiered by Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra.
John Chacona published reviews at All About Jazz of concerts by the Paul Cornish Trio at Bop Stop, The Messthetics with James Brandon Lewis at the Beachland Tavern, and of the free Hingetown Jazz Festival, all in Cleveland, plus a review of the Lina Allemano Four’s The Diptychs for PostGenre. His project of documenting the northeast Ohio scene with weekly posts continues at his let’s call this blog at johnchacona.com.
Thierry De Clemensat published record reviews of numerous artists including Alex Ventling (Wavemakers), Bassel Hajj (Transition), Dexter Gordon (More Than You Know), and the French duo Bec & Ongles (Zanzibar), along with a profile of vocalist Jennifer Roberts. Next month, he will begin publishing a major article on Origin Records at his website Bayou Blue Radio.
Sascha Feinstein, the founding editor of Brilliant Corners: A Journal of Jazz & Literature, has published the Winter 2025 issue featuring an interview with Florence Wetzel that focuses on her jazz-related work, including the novels Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery and The Grand Man: A Swedish Mystery, as well as Perry Robinson: The Traveler, the jazz clarinetist’s autobiography, which Wetzel co-authored.
David Haney was granted permission in July to descend more than 250 feet into Luray caverns in Virginia and perform a concert on the world‘s only stalactite organ (the “Great Stalacpipe Organ”) in a private concert with flutist Yael Acher “KAT” Modiano. The event was recorded and released on Bandcamp and received a recommendation from New York City Jazz Record and a photo article by JJA member Patrick Hinely for Cadence magazine (see below).
Geoffrey Himes published his latest book, Willie Nelson: All the Albums—The Stories Behind the Music with Motorbooks/Quarto in October. An excerpt from the book will be published in an upcoming issue of Jazz Times magazine. In a recent issue of Jazz Times, Himes profiled Charles Lloyd. Himes launched his new podcast/blog Hard Rain & Pink Cadillacs on Substack in July.
Patrick Hinely photographed and wrote about David Haney playing the Great Stalacpipe Organ (see above) in improvised duets with flutist Yale Acher “KAT” Modiano at Luray Caverns. He also created photographic and anecdotal remembrances of the recently deceased Sheila Jordan, Nancy King and JJA member Mitchell Seidel for Cadence magazine.
C. Andrew Hovan penned the liner notes for drummer Matt Garrity’s Suits and Scotches, his debut recording being released by SteepleChase in January 2026. Another January release featuring Hovan’s notes will be a special vinyl release from Jim Snidero, The Best of the Trio Recordings. In November, Hovan led a band at The Bop Stop in Cleveland, revisiting the music of Larry Young’s Unity. Columbus greats Pete Mills and Jon Eshelman joined Hovan and Mark Russo.
Sanford Josephson interviewed bassist Martin Pizzarelli In the December issue of Jersey Jazz Magazine in advance of the January 11 concert honoring the centennial birthday of his father, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. Josephson also interviewed trombonist/vocalist Hailey Brinnel, named Rising Star in that same issue. Finally, Josephson was scheduled to make a presentation on Tony Bennett on December 4 at the Livingston, NJ, Public Library.
Ian R. Mackenzie marked the Oscar Peterson Centenary by interviewing Dave Young and Lorne Lofsky about their performances and recordings with Peterson, and featuring their performances with him on “In A Mellow Tone”, broadcast on CKCU FM in Ottawa (and available for online streaming on demand).
Howard Mandel reviewed three EPs by Makaya McCraven for DownBeat, published a “Global Ear” column in The Wire about jazz thriving in Chicago despite Operation Midway Blitz, and was interviewed in The Buzz and for Jazz Times online. On Substack, he expanded on his review of Denardo Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come.
Kitty Margolis was presented an award for “excellence in journalism” from the San Francisco Press Club for her piece about the Monterey Jazz Festival in the Nob Hill Gazette.
Alan Perlman’s weekly two-hour radio show, “Jazz Collector Live,” is now available as a podcast on both Apple Music and Amazon Music under the title Jazz Collector Radio. On the show, Perlman features music from his own extensive record collection, along with relevant stories and anecdotes. The show has been on the air for nearly three years and is a companion to Perlman’s popular web site JazzCollector.com.
Syd Schwartz (@jazzandcoffee) wrote new liner notes for reissues of Miles Davis’ The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965; The Chico Hamilton Quintet featuring Buddy Collette; John Coltrane’s mono recordings of Giant Steps, Coltrane Plays the Blues, My Favorite Things, Coltrane’s Sound, Coltrane Jazz, and Ole; Carlos Garnett’s Cosmos Nucleus, Charles Tolliver & Stanley Cowell’s Music Inc, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Strasbourg 82, and Muriel Grossmann’s Breakthrough and Plays McCoy Tyner and the Grateful Dead. See his substack.
Wilbert Sostre continues to produce his radio program, Puerto Rico Jazz, featuring new releases and current artists with some relation to Puerto Rico, on KCSM in San Mateo, California. On November 13th he gave a lecture at Jane Stern Library, Dorado, PR. on “The History of Jazz in Puerto Rico.” He is currently working on the 3rd edition of his book Boricua Jazz: Puerto Rico Jazz History.
Neil Tesser is nearing the fourth anniversary of his weekly contribution to the “Jazz Across America” program block on KSDS-FM, where he emphasizes music from and about Chicago; November on-air debuts included new recordings from vocalist Alyssa Allgood (Leap) and Jon Irabagon’s PlainsPeak (Someone to Someone). He also wrote liner essays for recent albums by Pierre Dørge and Kirk Knuffke (Songs for Mbizo), Dave Pietro (The Butterfly Effect), and the octogenarian Chicago singer Josie Falbo (Kickin’ It).
Nasari Vega recently had the pleasure of photographing various musicians at Judson’s Live in Orlando Florida including the amazing Caity Gyorgy. His photograph of Ron Carter was featured on the Smalls Jazz Club’s events website. HIs next stomping ground will be New York City!
