John Shand Posts

February 12, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

City Recital Hall, January 24 8.5/10 In the 1960s South Africa became a crucible for some of the world’s most vibrant jazz. Apartheid drove away many of the key musicians, mostly to London (electrifying that city’s jazz scene), while the great pianist-composer Abdullah Ibrahim and the trumpeter Hugh Masekela (who…

February 10, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Concert Hall, January 22 8.5/10 What to give the girl who has everything? How about a symphony orchestra? Or at least most of one, to flesh out her trio, somewhat; to make the band almost as big as her hair – if still nowhere near as big as her persona.…

February 7, 2018 / Features - Archive

When Cecile McLorin Salvant’s new album, Dreams and Daggers, was recently nominated for a Grammy Award she decided to re-listen to a couple of tracks to see what the fuss was about. She couldn’t even last two songs. She just can’t stand her own jazz singing, the aspect of her…