Music

He's part of the free-jazz movement in New York City (along with saxophonist David S. Ware, bassist William Parker and violinist Mat Maneri). One of his influences has been avante-garde pianist Cecil Taylor. Shipp's style has been described as "a distinctive combination of Mr. Taylor's percussive attack and Chopin's languid rubatos." He's been recording since the early 1990s, and has over 20 albums to his credit as leader and sideman. Since 1999, Shipp has been artistic director the Thirsty Ear Records' Blue Series.

Founder and owner of the Chicago-based jazz and blues label Delmark, Bob Koester. The label celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Artists Junior Wells, Little Walter, Big Joe Williams, Coleman Hawkings, Muhal Richard Abrams and Sun Ra & The Arkestra have all recorded on the label. Delmark has issued a 50th-anniversary collection.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue Ask Me Now! (Impulse) featuring clarinetist Pee Wee Russell.

Film critic David Edelstein reviews A Mighty Wind, the latest from the people who brought you This is Spinal Tap and Best in Show. It's a satiric look at folk music, starring Christopher Guest (who also directed), Eugene Levy and Michael McKean.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles soul singer James Carr who died in 2001.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new collection Carmell Jones, featuring jazz trumpeter Carmell Jones. The album is currently available only through Mosaic Records.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the band Moby Grape.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews Donnie's The Colored Section, and A Woman Like Me, the new album by Bettye Lavette.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Elephant, the new album by the White Stripes.

Ken Tucker reviews Rules of Travel, the new album by Rosanne Cash.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews The Party’s Over by the Smoking Popes which they recorded in 1998 just before the band broke up. It's just been released.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz considers the original Hollywood movie score from the Silent era to the present.

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews Humidity, the new CD by drummer Matt Wilson.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Blowing In From Chicago, a new re-issue from tenor saxophonists Clifford Jordan and John Gilmore.

The annual South By Southwest Music Conference takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-16 this year. Rock Historian Ed Ward revisits the thriving Austin music scene of the late 1970s.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums from The Buzzcocks and Paul Weller, the frontman from the band The Jam. The album titles are Buzzcocks and Illumination.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Perpetuum Immobile (on the Leo label) by pianist Simon Nabatov.

He began studying violin at the age of four and later attended the Moscow Conservatory. Over the years he has won the most prestigious violinist prizes, including the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Paganini Competition in Genoa. His repertoire is extensive, including the standard classical and Romantic violin works as well as works by Arvo Part, John Adams and Astor Piazzolla. He has more than 100 recordings to his credit, including Happy Birthday, his most recent.

We remember singer/ songwriter HANK BALLARD. He wrote and recorded the song Chubby Checker later made famous, “The Twist.” Ballard died Sunday after a bout with throat cancer. This interview was recorded in 1993.