DOWN BEAT

Down Beat (written as DOWN BEAT) is an American magazine that focuses on "jazz, blues, and more," highlighting its broadened coverage beyond just jazz, which was its sole focus in earlier years. Founded in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, the magazine takes its name from the term "downbeat," also known as "beat one," referring to the first beat of a musical measure.

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#490584

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#211282

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#2892

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It’s Festival Season, Y’all!

1 week ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

By Frank Alkyer I Apr. 16, 2025 If great art is made in chaos, get ready for some killer festivals this year. In digging into the 2025 festival scene while crafting this guide, one thing is for certain. There are many festivals wondering what’s going to happen, and maybe worrying what the effects things like trade wars — the realm of politics, not art — will play on the summer music travel season.
Denver Jazz Fest: An Event Is Born

1 week ago | downbeat.com | Yoshi Kato

By Yoshi Kato I Apr. 16, 2025 From sisters Tia Fuller and Shamie Royston, Kneebody co-founders Shane Endsley and Kaveh Rastegar and the late Ron Miles to historic figures like Paul Whiteman and Jimmie Lunceford, Denver has been called home by a plethora of jazz talent. Now that home has its own festival. Scheduled to run April 3–6, the inaugural Denver Jazz Fest celebrates the storied past and vibrant present of the metro area’s jazz scene.
Blindfold Test: Ethan Iverson

1 week ago | downbeat.com | Ashley Kahn

Interview, From the Magazine, Ethan Iverson By Ashley Kahn I Apr. 15, 2025 Between last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Ethan Iverson performed as part of the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival in Orvieto, Italy, presenting “Simply Cinematic,” a set of movie themes he had creatively reimagined for the UJ big band led by alto saxophonist Manuele Morbidini, plus bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Kush Abadey.
And Even More Vinyl…Please!

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

News, From the Magazine, BadBadNotGood, Count Basie Orchestra, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Paolo Fresu/Richard Galliano/Jan Lundgren, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan By Frank Alkyer I Apr. 10, 2025 Here’s even more great music to please your ears and satisfy your hunger for historically significant recordings. Many of the following are RSD Exclusives, but some are just new vinyl releases that we’ve been digging lately.
Messages from the Fringe

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

News, From the Magazine, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Morphine, Angel Bat Dawid, Junius Paul, Makaya McCraven, Damon Locks By Frank Alkyer I Apr.
Blue Note’s Cookin’ Up Classics!

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

News, From the Magazine, Cannonball Adderley, Grant Green, Art Blakey, Kenny Burrell, Art Pepper, Tony Williams By Frank Alkyer I Apr.
Gettin’ the Blues and a Touch of Gospel!

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

News, From the Magazine, Dave Specter, Mahalia Jackson By Frank Alkyer I Apr. 10, 2025 Here’s a batch of blues vinyl to break your heart and make you love it. And when that heart needs mending, we’ve got a little Mahalia Jackson to stir the soul. John Lee Hooker The Charcot Sessions Southern Echoes An RSD Exclusive with a pressing of 1,250, Southern Echoes gives us a three-album set of blues godfather John Lee Hooker.
We Love Vinyl!

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

By Frank Alkyer I Apr. 10, 2025 Once again, in preparation for Record Store Day — this Saturday, April 12 — DownBeat goes crate-diggin’ to bring you jewels that are officially part of RSD, as well as a few others you just might want to pick up while you’re shopping! This feature ran in our May issue. You can view it as a magazine HERE or click on the image below.
The Resonance Revival

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Frank Alkyer

News, From the Magazine, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus By Frank Alkyer I Apr. 10, 2025 Resonance Records has been a valued and frequent contributor to RSD in past years. This year is no exception, with four more found archival recordings of classic artists playing live! Wes Montgomery/Wynton Kelly Trio Smokin’ In Seattle: Live At The Penthouse Resonance An RSD Exclusive, this set is limited to 1,500 copies.
Javon Jackson to Pay Tribute to Nikki Giovanni April 8 at Village Vanguard

2 weeks ago | downbeat.com | Phillip Lutz

By Phillip Lutz I Apr. 8, 2025 On Tuesday, April 8, tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson will bring to the Village Vanguard a tribute to his late performing partner, poet Nikki Giovanni. For the Vanguard, it will recall a bygone era when the club, and many other spots throughout Greenwich Village, regularly served as venues where poets and jazz musicians mixed.