The typical image many people conjure when they think of Seattle's music scene is one of a band of scrawny-looking white kids, wearing flannel shirts and playing Nirvana covers in their parents' garages. For those who believe the Seattle music scene is just that, they've obviously never heard the music of Maktub, a quintet of…Read more Maktub talks about its 2003 release ‘Khronos’ and its plans for future albums

When compared to artists splattered across magazine covers or appearing in mainstream music videos, not very many people have heard of the musician Paul Brill. Recently named as my top new discovery of 2003, Brill is one of those songwriters who seemed to have appeared out of thin air and furnished enthusiastic listeners with the…Read more Musician Paul Brill is performing at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles Jan. 16

Legendary trumpeter Miles Davis wrote in his autobiography, "When people say Jamal influenced me a lot, they're right." Davis' reference to Jamal in this case is none other than the virtuoso pianist and astounding composer, Ahmad Jamal. Born in 1930, Jamal, a Pittsburgh native, began playing the piano at the age of 3 and began…Read more Ahmad Jamal performs at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood from Dec. 2 through 7

Born in 1974 in Vancouver, Canada, Eric San, a.k.a. Kid Koala, has always exhibited a devoted affinity to the world of music. Following years of classic piano training that began at the age of 4, San discovered the wide world of turntables at the age of 12. San migrated to Montreal in the early 1990s…Read more New Music: Kid Koala’s new album was released this month

For many, turning 30 can signify a crossroads in life whether it comes in the form of career, relationships or family. For singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, his crossroads came in the form of several distinct instances reflected on his stunning new album "Want One" (2003, Dreamworks Records). "Want One" is a 12-track album that mirrors Wainwright's…Read more Rufus Wainwright’s new release ‘Want One’ is first installment of a two-part project

If one had to sum up the life of singer/ songwriter Shelby Lynne with one brief description, it could best be defined as a compelling verse to one very long country song. Lynne's life and career as a professional musician - spanning 13 years - is the stuff country songs are made of. Signed to…Read more Shelby Lynne performs at the House of Blues in West Hollywood Oct. 11

For pianist Brad Mehldau, the term "Largo," the title of his latest work, comes with three varying meanings that seem to sum up the atmosphere, inspiration and musical approach to an album focused on the art of the piano trio. Not only is "largo" interpreted to mean "slow" when seen on a page of musical…Read more Brad Mehldau finds the groove; performs Oct. 4 at the Knitting Factory

Since 1999, the New York-based trio Soulive has been churning out heavy soulful grooves that blend funk and hip-hop rhythms with melodies and harmonies based within the jazz idiom. Blue Note Records signed the group in 2000 and one year later the band - comprising guitarist Eric Krasno, keyboardist Neal Evans and drummer Alan Evans…Read more Soulive performs at the House of Blues Oct. 10 and 11

After graduating from Harvard University in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in urban studies, tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman tinkered with the idea of returning to the halls of academia to earn a medical degree. He also thought about a law degree after receiving acceptance into Yale University, but in the end the richly historic and…Read more Joshua Redman to perform at Catalina Bar & Grill

As one of the best jazz guitarists around today, John Scofield has continued to reinvent his style and sound throughout a career spanning more than 30 years. He has dabbled in everything from the blues, funk and country to jazz and classical music. Over the years, Scofield has attracted a diverse following of jazz aficionados…Read more The John Scofield Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl Aug. 20

As a member of the famous progressive rock quintet, the Dave Matthews Band, violinist Boyd Tinsley somehow found the time to recently record his own solo album entitled "True Reflections" (Bama Rags/ RCA Records, 2003) released earlier this month. The album features guest appearances by Dave Matthews, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Chris Bruce (with…Read more Boyd Tinsley breaks briefly from Dave Matthews Band for solo album