Marc Myers

New York

Blogger, JazzWax at All About Jazz

Articles

Backgrounder: Tina Brooks - True Blue (1960)

1 week ago | allaboutjazz.com | Marc Myers

No other category of artist in American history had to fight harder to have his or her creativity recognized than the jazz musician. This war was waged on three fronts—with themselves, with the culture and with their record label. If any one of these three battles was lost, the other two often collapsed as well. In the 1940s and '50s, the battle with one's self meant steering clear of drug addiction. The battle with the culture was the struggle to be accepted by an ever shrinking audience.
Perfection: Dexter Gordon - I Want More (1961)

1 week ago | allaboutjazz.com | Marc Myers

Arguably one of Dexter Gordon's finest recording sessions was for his album Doin' Allright (Blue Note). Recorded in May 1961, the LP featured Dexter Gordon (ts), Freddie Hubbard (tp), Horace Parlan (p), George Tucker (b) and Al Harewood (d). A priceless quintet. Here's Gordon's composition I Want More, pure perfection... Continue Reading... This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers. Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.
Backgrounder: Joe Puma - East Coast Jazz/3

2 weeks ago | allaboutjazz.com | Marc Myers

I love precious jazz guitarists who place a premium on harmony, swing and compelling chords. One of the best in this category was Joe Puma. In the 1950s, Puma was a session sideman on many recordings and led his own groups. He recorded into the 1990s and died in 2000 at age 72. One of his finest early albums was Joe Puma Quintet: East Coast Jazz/3, which was part of a series produced by Creed Taylor for Bethlehem, in November 1954.
Roger Nichols (1940-2025)

2 weeks ago | allaboutjazz.com | Marc Myers

Roger Nichols, a sunshine-pop songwriter whose late 1960s and 1970s melodies were among the richest and catchiest of the genre, particularly when teamed with lyricist Paul Williams and groups such as the Carpenters and Three Dog Night, died May 17. He was 84. Nichols also wrote with lyricists Tony Asher and Bill Lane, and was noted for his debut album Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends (A&M Records, 1968), which was produced by Tommy LiPuma.
Brian Wilson (1942-2025)

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Marc Myers

1 hour ago Passenger Plane Crashes in India, and Israel Appears Ready to Attack Iran Listen to and follow “The Headlines” Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio On Today’s Episode: Passenger Plane Crashes in Western India With 242 Aboard, by John Yoon and Suhasini Raj Inside a Courthouse, Chaos and Tears as Trump Accelerates Deportations, by Luis Ferré-Sadurní Kennedy … 18 hours ago Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson dies at age 82 Brian Wilson - who was best known as a...
Remembering Brian Wilson, a Surfer of Sound

2 weeks ago | wsj.com | Marc Myers

The leader of the Beach Boys, who has died at age 82, made a profound impact on music and American culture through his experimental production, captivating harmonies and timeless celebration of teenage life. Though his most creative period lasted roughly six years in the 1960s, Brian Wilson, whose death at age 82 was announced today, left a profound impact on pop music, record production and American culture.
Remembering Brian Wilson, a Surfer of Sound

2 weeks ago | fnlondon.com | Marc Myers

Remembering Brian Wilson, a Surfer of SoundThe leader of the Beach Boys, who has died at age 82, made a profound impact on music and American culture through his experimental production, captivating harmonies and timeless celebration of teenage life. Published June 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM ET Though his most creative period lasted roughly six years in the 1960s, Brian Wilson, whose death at age 82 was announced today, left a profound impact on pop music, record production and American culture.
Jason Isaacs on the Decision That Saved His Life

2 weeks ago | wsj.com | Marc Myers

The ‘White Lotus‘ and ’Words of War’ actor recalls the minefield that was home, struggling to fit in and why his office is so smallJason Isaacs in Beverly Hills, Calif., in February RETO STRECHI/REDUXJason Isaacs, 62, is a British actor best known for the “Harry Potter” film series, and TV’s “Star Trek: Discovery” and “The White Lotus.” He currently co-stars in the biographical drama film “Words of War.” He spoke with Marc Myers.
Sly Stone (1943-2025)

2 weeks ago | allaboutjazz.com | Marc Myers

Sly Stone, whose late-1960s eclectic brand of polished Bay Area funk-pop launched a music revolution that influenced artists ranging from Miles Davis to Stevie Wonder, Prince and all the major funk bands that followed in the 1970s and beyond, died yesterday. He was 82. The singer-songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist was a fashion trend-setter and tireless composer whose drug habit began as a way to ease the stress of delivering albums, hits and performances.
Denny Zeitlin: With a Song in My Heart

2 weeks ago | allaboutjazz.com | Marc Myers

Pianist Denny Zeitlin's very first recording was for Columbia in 1963, as a sideman on Jeremy Steig's Flute Fever. His first trio leadership album, Cathexis, came next for Columbia in February 1964, with Cecil McBee on bass and Freddie Waits on drums. Carnival followed in October, with Charlie Haden on bass and Jerry Granelli on drums. By then, Denny was on the map as an innovative trio leader.