Michael. J. West

Washington, D.C.

He's a jazz critic and journalist, reviews editor at @downbeatmag, jazz columnist at @wcp, contributor elsewhere. Unabashed prescriptivist. Tweets are my own.

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Articles

Industry Pros from 60 Countries Feast on jazzahead! Spread in Bremen, Germany

1 week ago | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

By Michael J. West I May. 5, 2025 Bremen, Germany, is certainly not one of the most likely spots for the world’s largest annual jazz industry gathering. But that unlikelihood didn’t deter more than 20,000 musicians, presenters, producers, agents, media and other professionals from 60 countries from descending on the northwest German city for this year’s edition of jazzahead!, which took place April 24–26. And they weren’t just professionals looking to exchange business cards.
Francis Davis, Esteemed Jazz Critic, Dies at 78

3 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

By Michael J. West I Apr. 22, 2025 Francis Davis, an august jazz and cultural critic who won both awards and esteem in print, film and radio, died April 14 in Philadelphia after a long illness. He was 78. His death was confirmed by his wife, radio personality Terry Gross. Cause of death was emphysema.
The 34 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Jan 30, 2025 | washingtonpost.com | Fritz Hahn |Sophia Solano |Adele Chapin |Thomas Floyd |MARK JENKINS |Chris Kelly | +1 more

Adele Chapin, Mark Jenkins, Chris Kelly and Michael J. WestThe beginning of February brings Lunar New Year celebrations, the start of Black History Month and the first Valentine’s Day-themed activities. This is one weekend when you can see lions dancing in the street and at breweries, learn about famous Black artists from D.C., and honor Martin Luther King Jr. in song. But there’s so much more on the agenda, from a Shakespeare festival to celebrations of Groundhog Day.
Brooklyn Marathon Concerts Extend Winter Jazz Fest Celebrations

Jan 28, 2025 | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

By Michael J. West I Jan. 28, 2025 Brooklyn has long harbored a self-contained jazz (and broader music) scene of its own — but that’s not the subject of Winter Jazz Fest’s Brooklyn marathon. It’s really a function of the fact that the once-compact marathon program has grown too big for its Lower Manhattan origins. The music heard Jan.
jazzahead! Shares Details of 2025 Showcase Concerts

Jan 28, 2025 | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

By Michael J. West I Jan. 28, 2025 jazzahead!, the world’s largest annual jazz industry gathering — a combination trade fair, industry conference and artistic showcase — has released the full details of the showcase concerts for its 19th edition, to be held April 24–26 at the Congress Centrum in Bremen, Germany. Each year, the showcase features artists from a partner country.
DownBeat Reviews

Oct 16, 2024 | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

Immanuel Wilkins Blues Blood (Blue Note) By Michael J. West | Published October 2024 This haunting, profound, astonishing record is this reviewer’s pick for the year’s best — and it isn’t even close. Indeed, few albums released in any year achieve alto saxophonist/composer Wilkins’ improbable balance of ethereal and earthy, of searching and grounded, of virtuosic and plainspokenly lyrical. The afore-used “astonishing” doesn’t do it justice — but there’s no better word, either.
In Memoriam: John McNeil, 1948-2024

Oct 1, 2024 | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

By Michael J. West I Oct. 2, 2024 John McNeil, a trumpeter, composer and educator who built an accomplished and progressive career in jazz despite a genetic disorder that continuously challenged his abilities, died Sept. 27. He was 76. His death was confirmed by Sunnyside Records, in a post on X.
Russell Malone, poised and pliable master of jazz guitar, is dead at 60

Aug 26, 2024 | knkx.org | Michael. J. West

Russell Malone, a versatile and soulful guitarist who epitomized straight-ahead jazz guitar for his generation, died suddenly in Tokyo on Friday, Aug. 23. He was 60. Jason Franklin, Malone’s agent and manager, confirmed his passing to WRTI. The cause of death was a massive heart attack. Malone had been performing last week at the Blue Note Tokyo as a member of bassist Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio.
Snarky Puppy’s Shaun Martin Dies at 45

Aug 6, 2024 | downbeat.com | Michael. J. West

News, Shaun Martin, Snarky Puppy By Michael J. West I Aug. 7, 2024 Shaun Martin, a multifaceted, Grammy-winning pianist, keyboardist and producer who was best known for his work in the fusion collective Snarky Puppy, died Aug. 3. He was 45. His death was announced by Snarky Puppy with a statement on X and Instagram. The location and cause of death were not given; however, Martin had been battling an undisclosed illness since April 2023.
The 36 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Jun 6, 2024 | washingtonpost.com | Fritz Hahn |Sophia Solano |Adele Chapin |Chris Kelly |Michael. J. West |Celia Wren

By and large, the biggest events this weekend revolve around Capital Pride, which has its flagship parade and block party Saturday and its festival (ushered by parade Grand Marshals Billy Porter and Keke Palmer) Sunday. But besides the happenings sanctioned by the Capital Pride Alliance, the city lights up with tea dances, family-friendly events, underground DJ sets and more. For a full list of Pride events throughout the weekend, check out our guide.