Rob Shepherd

Process Prevails: A Conversation with Darius Jones on ‘FluXkit Vancouver (i̶t̶s suite but sacred)’

What is music? What is art? How is art experienced aurally connected to its visual manifestations? To most people, these…

1 year ago

Something Bigger: A Conversation with James Brandon Lewis on Mahalia Jackson

Often, many place a wall between the secular and the religious, as though neither influences the other. In reality, both…

1 year ago

Observations from Day One of the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival

On Friday, August 4, 2023, the historic Newport Jazz Festival presented a highly pleasurable afternoon of music, as it has…

1 year ago

Friends Old and New: Artistic Director Christian McBride Previews the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival

We conclude our series of 2023 Newport Jazz Festival pre-event interviews with a conversation with Christian McBride. Fittingly, our third…

1 year ago

Tide is My Witness: Cautious Clay Previews his 2023 Newport Jazz Festival Performance and New Blue Note Album

Jazz music has long had an interesting, albeit complicated, relationship with more popular musical forms. Swing bands were the pop…

1 year ago

Magic is Real: Vijay Iyer Previews the ‘Love in Exile’ Trio’s 2023 Newport Jazz Festival Performance

Often the best music seemingly transports the listener - by the artist’s direction - to another time and place. The…

1 year ago

Armstrong Now: Giveton Gelin Previews Louis at Newport

When one considers a historical museum, thoughts of those no longer with us often come to mind. Figures who made…

1 year ago

Even the Sparrow: James Brandon Lewis Previews his 2023 Newport Jazz Festival Performance

Ingrained in jazz, hip hop, punk, gospel, and R&B, tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis has discovered a unique way to…

1 year ago

Laced With Creativity: A Conversation with Zeena Parkins

When one thinks of lace as a fabric, often their immediate thought is delicacy and fragility. But appearances can be…

1 year ago

Getting Them There: A Conversation with Newport Festivals Driver/Photographer Jack Casey

Anyone who frequents the Newport Jazz or Folk Facebook groups would likely recognize the name Jack Casey. For the last few years, Casey has…

1 year ago