The Checkout

A few years ago, the Trinidadian jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles released A Creole Christmas , a brilliant musical meld of Christian hymns, Venezuelan parangs, and island calypsos. He brought that festive sound into our studio in 2016, leading a sharp and versatile band.

It’s been a decade since pianist Aaron Parks released his debut album, Invisible Cinema , which blurs the line between jazz and rock. After a prolonged absence from that sonic trajectory, he has issued an update with Little Big . He and his band came into our studio this week to perform live on The Checkout.

It’s been a decade since pianist Aaron Parks released his debut album, Invisible Cinema , which blurs the line between jazz and rock. After a prolonged absence from that sonic trajectory, he has issued an update with Little Big . He and his band came into our studio this week to perform live on The Checkout.

Amir ElSaffar, a Chicago-born jazz trumpeter and composer, incorporates Iraqi musical traditions in his 17-piece Rivers of Sound orchestra. In this edition of The Checkout, we delve deep into the maqam, a system of melodic modes in Arabic music that produces exotic layers of sound and dense microtonal harmonies. ElSaffar combines these Iraqi traditions with his love of jazz in creating a stream of music that Western audiences aren’t accustomed to hearing. “Arabic music and jazz is not a very

Amir ElSaffar, a Chicago-born jazz trumpeter and composer, incorporates Iraqi musical traditions in his 17-piece Rivers of Sound orchestra. In this edition of The Checkout, we delve deep into the maqam, a system of melodic modes in Arabic music that produces exotic layers of sound and dense microtonal harmonies. ElSaffar combines these Iraqi traditions with his love of jazz in creating a stream of music that Western audiences aren’t accustomed to hearing. “Arabic music and jazz is not a very

Has jazz ever sounded so varied and diverse? In this Checkout podcast, Nate Chinen — WBGO’s director of editorial content, and the author of Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century — reckons with the music’s current moment and how we got here.

Has jazz ever sounded so varied and diverse? In this Checkout podcast, Nate Chinen — WBGO’s director of editorial content, and the author of Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century — reckons with the music’s current moment and how we got here.

Maurice “Mobetta” Brown ends his late-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club on Saturday, and performs on Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square , New York’s largest holiday festival, on Monday.

Maurice “Mobetta” Brown ends his late-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club on Saturday, and performs on Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square , New York’s largest holiday festival, on Monday.

Earlier this year guitarist Julian Lage released Modern Lore , the second album to feature his trio with Scott Colley on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums. The group appears at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Nov. 29. Lage, a former child prodigy, recently brought the trio to WBGO to play some of the tunes from Modern Lore , and talk about the mentors who have shaped his experience in music: guitar maestro Jim Hall, whom he met at age 11 and later toured with ; vibraphonist Gary Burton, who

Earlier this year guitarist Julian Lage released Modern Lore , the second album to feature his trio with Scott Colley on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums. The group appears at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Nov. 29. Lage, a former child prodigy, recently brought the trio to WBGO to play some of the tunes from Modern Lore , and talk about the mentors who have shaped his experience in music: guitar maestro Jim Hall, whom he met at age 11 and later toured with ; vibraphonist Gary Burton, who

While the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements have shaped the debate in the United States, our neighbor, Canada, is going through its own cultural awakening and moment of reckoning. Rising stars like Jeremy Dutcher are giving its mistreated indigenous population a voice through music.

While the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements have shaped the debate in the United States, our neighbor, Canada, is going through its own cultural awakening and moment of reckoning. Rising stars like Jeremy Dutcher are giving its mistreated indigenous population a voice through music.

For years, Justin Brown has been a drummer in high demand, constantly on the road with the likes of Thundercat and Ambrose Akinmusire. At the same time, he’s been carefully writing his own compositions, and plotting his debut as a bandleader. He released his debut album, NYEUSI , in June — and heralded its arrival with a show jointly presented by WBGO and Revive Music.

For years, Justin Brown has been a drummer in high demand, constantly on the road with the likes of Thundercat and Ambrose Akinmusire. At the same time, he’s been carefully writing his own compositions, and plotting his debut as a bandleader. He released his debut album, NYEUSI , in June — and heralded its arrival with a show jointly presented by WBGO and Revive Music.