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Dominique Fils-Aimé: Jazz as Freedom, Healing, and Connection
by Steven Roby
Montreal vocalist--composer Dominique Fils-Aimé discusses music as essential as breath--something vital, grounding, and shared. In conversation, a few recurring themes emerge: freedom as the driving force of jazz, healing as the restorative power of music on the body, and connection--among people, across generations, and through history--as the quiet foundation that allows songs to travel. These ideas ...
LabRats: Groove Experiments and the Mwandishi Connection
by Steven Roby
LabRats didn't aim to fit neatly on a shelf. The Sacramento-based collective, led by drummer and bandleader Jacob Swedlow, moves wherever the groove takes them--through jazz fusion, hip-hop, and live improvisation--while maintaining a tight, communal vibe both on stage and in the studio. “LabRats was an idea I had about two years before I ...
Ashia Ackov Honors Love And Legacy With Poignant Jazz Ballad 'In Time'
Ashia Ackov Unveils Sultry Jazz Noir Single “In Time” — A Smoky Serenade of Longing and Elegance Jazz vocalist and storyteller Ashia Ackov has released her latest single, “In Time,” a hauntingly beautiful Jazz Noir ballad that evokes the velvet shadows of a bygone era. Released on August 12, 2025, the track is now available for ...
Lady Day Reimagined: Stella Heath’s Jazz Story
by Steven Roby
Vocalist Stella Heath describes Billie Holiday the way a director describes a great actor--precise about choices, attentive to subtext, and focused on how a story resonates in the room. “Stories are front and foremost for me," she says. Heath's connection to Holiday starts with feeling. What drew her in wasn't just her timbre or ...
ELEW Finds His Frequency: From Camden Roots to ELEW Plays Sting at SFJAZZ
by Steven Roby
Pianist Eric Lewis (ELEW) grew up in a house where music was infrastructure. He is the fourth generation of classical musicians in his family, raised in Camden, New Jersey, where practicing the piano felt like another chore alongside washing dishes and mowing the lawn. That immersion, combined with conservatory training, forged a touch that is both ...
Mz Val Releases Debut Jazz Album 'Simply Me' – A Soulful Journey Of Authentic Sound
MzVal’s 2nd single “How Glad I Am" is a vibrant and heartfelt addition to the contemporary music scene, showcasing her remarkable talent and emotional depth. The lyrics are a testament to the power of gratitude and joy, resonating with listeners through their simplicity and sincerity. MzVal’s voice shines brightly as she navigates the emotional landscape of ...
Taj Mahal Quartet At Miner Auditorium
by Steven Roby
Taj Mahal Quartet Miner AuditoriumSan Francisco, CA August 16, 2025 The sold-out Sunday afternoon performance closed a four-concert SFJAZZ residency with a reminder that Taj Mahal keeps tradition not just intact, but in motion. The 83-year-old bandleader entered to Bunji Garlin's “Differentology (Ready for the Road)," clapping in a straw hat and patterned jacket, ...
