Category: Features

May 6, 2017 / Features - Archive

Gregory Porter: Never Letting Go of the Dream

Gregory Porter says he felt like an unexploded bomb while waiting for his career to take off. He had plenty of time to analyse the feeling as he was nudging 40 before his singing suddenly rocketed from Brooklyn’s clubs to a global audience. That meant he also had plenty of…

April 19, 2017 / Features - Archive

PAUL MOTIAN – CONCEPTION VESSEL

1 LOSS OF A MASTER At the time of his death in late November Paul Motian was arguably the most important figure in jazz. The art form, which had been through so many evolutions over the preceding century, had largely painted itself into a corner. For all the apparent diversity…

March 14, 2017 / Features - Archive

Cubans at Large – Omar Sosa and Alfredo Rodriguez

Others talk about making sacrifices for their art. Alfredo Rodriguez laid his happiness on the line for it. With the carrot of having his career guided by the distinguished American producer Quincy Jones, the Cuban pianist crossed the border from Mexico to the US, and asked for political asylum. He…