James P. Johnson News

The symphony's seven movements are each infused with different influences-a ragtime stomp here, a habanera rhythm there-and, collectively, they take listeners on a sonic journey through America's revolutionary era, the early beginnings of jazz in New Orleans, and even a big city soundscape that serves as a nod to the Great Migration.

The Ravinia Festival plans to reopen in July for the 2021 summer season. Now, the full lineup has been announced!

For the first time in its 136-year history, the one-and-only Boston Pops, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, is presenting its spring season completely online, bringing the style and energy cherished by audiences at its live concerts at Symphony Hall to an online season filled with a wide-ranging spectrum of musical offerings.

African American art song and stories will be spotlighted when The Marsh launches its new solo performance musical series The Art Songs of Black Composers on its digital platform MarshStream.

Today, the Newport Music Festival announces the complete seventeen-concert schedule for its 53rd season, from July 4-20, 2021.

For three consecutive Sunday afternoons, Y York and the Klein Party will live stream theatrical stories  and music from 18th & Union. Viewing is free, but donations will be accepted. 

The Chamber Music Society of Detroit takes a deep dive into early 20th-century ragtime and jazz with multi-faceted pianist Aaron Diehl. Equally at home with classical music and jazz, Diehl performs a program of rags by Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake, show tunes, light classics, and more.

In response to the coronavirus epidemic that has led to the cancellation of several if its spring concerts, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit has launched CameraMusic, a series free live-streamed concerts aimed at engaging audiences and employing artists.

Mizner Park Cultural Center will once again host a wide variety of entertainment and events over the coming weeks.  Comedy, music, magic, and live theatre are all on the popular venue's schedule during March and April.  Below is a list of just a few of the performances that will take place at the Center this spring:   

The Recording Academy® welcomes the newest inductions to its distinguished GRAMMY Hall Of Fame®, continuing its ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating timeless recordings. This year's additions recognize a diverse range of both single and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Recordings are reviewed each year by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With 26 new titles, the Hall, now in its 47th year, currently totals 1,114 recordings. The 2020 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductions are available to stream via a playlist here.

On Monday, August 26 at 7:00pm, the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA), in partnership with The National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMH), and the Catskill Jazz Factory (CJF) will present a special concert performance of The Spirit of Harlem, a celebratory homage to the most iconic moments of Harlem's musical past, and the jazz renaissance currently taking place in New York City. Free to the public, the concert will be held at the HSA Theater, located at 649 St. Nicholas Avenue.

From Duke Ellington's rocking rhythms, Thelonious Monk's melodious thunks to Mary Lou Williams' spiritual swing and Michel Camilo's island improvisations, the Newport Jazz Festival has been the premier showcase for pianists for decades. This year's edition features a wide variety of keyboardists, shaping the state of jazz to come.

Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House invites audiences to embrace a sense of adventure with a new season of music, theater, exhibitions, film, book launches, special events, and community programs this August to December.

Martinis Above Fourth has announced its August 2019 show listings. See the full lineup below!

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents the return of The Reverend Shawn Amos for A Night in Harlem today, February 1 at 8:00pm. In celebration of African American History Month, blackbox curator, Amos, returns to the stage for an evening of songs and storytelling - presenting songs from his album, Harlem, for the first time in ten years. The American roots song cycle tells the story of 1920s black Americans' migration from the south to Harlem. Amos' album was inspired by the artists, songs and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents the return of The Reverend Shawn Amos for A Night in Harlem on Friday, February 1 at 8:00pm. In celebration of African American History Month, blackbox curator, Amos, returns to the stage for an evening of songs and storytelling - presenting songs from his album, Harlem, for the first time in ten years. The American roots song cycle tells the story of 1920s black Americans' migration from the south to Harlem. Amos' album was inspired by the artists, songs and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.

Dan Levinson's Midsummer Night's Jazz Party returns to the Bickford Theatre as part of Summer JazzFest for one night only on Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 pm. For his annual appearance at the popular festival, Levinson dispenses with music scores and stands for a jam session in the tradition of the legendary jazz clubs of the forties and fifties such as Eddie Condon's and Nick's. Joining the popular clarinetist will be Jon-Erik Kellso on trumpet, Harvey Tibbs on trombone, Mark Shane on piano, Rob Adkins on bass, and Paul Wells on drums. And as customary, the concert will be preceded by a food truck picnic.

From The Charleston to The Great American Sognbook, with Scott Joplin, Marilyn Monroe and even Yidish, the brilliant piano duo Stephanie Trick (USA) and Paolo Alderighi (Italy) performed their arrangements of songs and tunes by all these and many more while performing on a tour around Israel as part of the Hot Jazz Series.