Jazz

Culture news

Queen, Herbie Hancock and Barbara Hannigan win 2025 Polar Music Prize

For only the second time in its history, three acts have been awarded the Polar Music Prize. Queen, Herbie Hancock and Barbara Hannigan have received the prestigious award, known as the “Nobel Prize of Music”.

18/03/2025

Culture news

Jazz-funk legend Roy Ayers dies aged 84

While best known for his classic 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine', Ayers had a remarkable career - touring with Fela Kuti, collaborating with Tyler, the Creator, and even hosting his own radio station in the Grand Theft Auto video game series.

06/03/2025

Culture news

Album anniversaries: Three records to celebrate in January 2025

From a raw dissection of heartbreak to jazzy hip-hop sounds, via a French electro gem that’ll transport you to some strange places, here's our pick of the three albums celebrating a major anniversary this month.

15/01/2025

Culture news

Ezra Collective's 'Dance, No One's Watching': Euronews Culture verdict

British jazz band Ezra Collective's follow-up to their Mercury Prize-winning album is another joyous celebratory collection.

27/09/2024

Culture news

Here are the best albums of 2024... So far

How many have you heard? And do you agree with our first-half of 2024 ranking?

26/07/2024

Culture news

International Jazz Day: How you can celebrate in Europe

What is International Jazz Day, and which modern European jazz artists should be on your radar?

30/04/2024

Culture news

Here are this year's Ivor Novello nominees

Nominees have been announced for the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards, the awards that celebrate the best songwriting and composing for the previous year in British and Irish popular music.

24/04/2024

Culture news

World Drummer's Day: The five types of drummers who changed the world

For World Drummer's Day, we look at five of the most legendary drummers in music history.

04/04/2024

Culture news

Casey Benjamin, who worked with Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, dies at 46

You may not know his name, but if you’ve heard him play as a member of The Robert Glasper Experiment or with Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé or Kanye West, you remember...

01/04/2024

Culture news

"California Soul" singer Marlena Shaw dies aged 81

Shaw's music has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists including Drake, Ghostface Killah, Gang Starr, and ScHoolboy Q.

22/01/2024

Culture news

How a London music venue will celebrate Scottish folk music and poetry

A year after Kings Place unveiled a brand new state-of-the-art 360° sound system, the home of innovative classical and contemporary music in London launches its 2024 season.

10/01/2024

Culture news

The top 5 hip-hop songs to sample late jazz legend Les McCann

Jazz pianist and singer Les McCann died in the last days of 2023. He leaves behind a legacy as a pioneer of jazz-soul and a long list of samples in the hip-hop world. You may be more familiar with his work than you think...

02/01/2024

Cult

Baku Jazz Festival: Rhythm and art captivate Azerbaijan's capital

In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Grammy winners and emerging artists came together for a unique celebration at the annual Baku International Jazz Festival.

30/10/2023

Culture news

Culture Re-View: The three essential albums to understand Miles Davis

28 September 1991: Miles Davis dies, aged 65

28/09/2023

Culture news

Culture Re-View: 5 of her best for Amy Winehouse's 40th birthday

14 September 1983: Amy Winehouse’s birthday.

14/09/2023

Culture news

Ezra Collective wins the 2023 Mercury Prize

Other nominees included Arctic Monkeys, Loyle Carner and Raye.

08/09/2023

Culture news

Tony Bennett: A life in pictures

The crooner's crooner, Tony Bennett sang with just about everybody across so many genres over several generations. Here's a look at some his most memorable moments.

22/07/2023

Culture news

Legendary singer Tony Bennett dies aged 96

Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. His final album, the 2021 release 'Love for Sale,' featured duets with Lady Gaga on the title track, 'Night and Day' and songs by American composer, Cole Porter.

21/07/2023

Culture news

Meet the prisoners playing jazz with professional musicians

"When I come to the music workshop, I'm not in prison", says one of the inmates at the Saint-Quentin-Fallavier detention centre in France, where prisoners played with musicians of the 'Jazz à Vienne' festival.

12/07/2023

Culture news

For your reappraisal: Radiohead - 'Amnesiac'

In this new weekly series, our journalists reappraise a misunderstood record or share their appreciation for an undervalued album that deserves more love. This week: Radiohead's 'Amnesiac'.

02/05/2023