“All-around musician” is a blanket term that usually describes someone who, at the very least, sings while playing an instrument. And/or plays more than one instrument with advanced proficiency. Especially while performing their own compositions, plus perhaps arrangements of songs written by others. And preferably with their own flair. Boynton Beach resident Rick Rossano … [Read more...]
Season Preview 2026-27: In pop season, not much rock left, but concert stages are busy
Much of the quality rock and pop music — especially in live settings — is now purely historic. It primarily flourished during the 1960s, 1970s and 1990s, all while fueled by the creativity of bands. Remember those? You know their names. A few are mentioned here, if not outright included. Most were British during the ’60s and ’70s; many were from the United States during the … [Read more...]
Season Preview 2026-27: Jazz bookings lean to the conservative
Before being interrupted by bebop, then Elvis Presley, and then The Beatles and the remaining British Invasion, big band jazz was America’s most popular music. Yet despite the genre’s overall scroll of innovators, jazz as a whole has scrambled for the spotlight in-between (and ever since) in the United States — even as its innovators were, and continue to be, embraced … [Read more...]
Musician-historian Wade’s new book investigates, celebrates our folksong commonalities
Author, music historian and Grammy Award-nominated banjoist and guitarist Stephen Wade’s brand-new book is called Our Common Life (University of Illinois Press, 2026), but it’s the unifying book’s subtitle that perhaps captures its intent equally. “Folksong From the Front Porch to the Concert Hall” not only illustrates the arc of modern acoustic music via Wade’s … [Read more...]
J.P. Soars: Almost famous, and loving living la vida Boca
Success for performing artists in the music business comes in many forms, most of which fly decidedly under the familiar radar of current superstars like Taylor Swift or Bad Bunny, Beyoncé or Harry Styles. Case in point: South Florida-based blues singer, guitarist and songwriter J.P. Soars (jpsoars.com), leader of the Red Hots trio. He likewise has multiple album releases, … [Read more...]
Boca’s Funky Biscuit celebrates 15 years of music
When the Funky Biscuit opened in Boca Raton in mid-July of 2011, there were certainly no guarantees that the live music establishment and restaurant would still exist 15 years later. Creative music in general, and full-band live music in particular, were just starting to slide in what’s become their slow declines in tourist-heavy South Florida. And the club, situated in a … [Read more...]
For July and August, Glazer Hall brings on the jazz
Summer is usually a dormant season for South Florida musicians. Especially jazz musicians, who frequently perform in establishments that sometimes eliminate live entertainment during summers because most tourists have left for cooler climates. Which means that area fans of one of America’s greatest audio art forms are also figuratively left out in the cold while bearing … [Read more...]
A long partnership: Pop’s Joe Jackson counts on bassist Maby
British singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Jackson (joejackson.com) has proven to be a musical amoeba since his masterful post-punk 1979 New Wave debut Look Sharp! (A&M). There have since been stylistic detours through reggae, cabaret, blues, pop and classical music as well as swing and traditional jazz, all as the 71-year-old Jackson refused to be … [Read more...]
If it’s a Florida summer, it must be Dave Matthews time
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the South Florida summer-adjacent tour dates for the Dave Matthews Band (davematthewsband.com). Of course, summer unofficially starts early here in the Sunshine State. So let’s just say that singing guitarist Matthews’ touring ensemble has included the iThink Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach between the months of May and … [Read more...]
Jazz titan Herbie Hancock keeping his music young and vital at 86
If you were looking to crown the current greatest living jazz artist, the short list of contenders would include alumni from the ensembles led by trumpeter and band leader Miles Davis (1926-1991) from the 1960s and 1970s. Which would still only narrow it down to an impressive list of luminaries including Keith Jarrett, John McLaughlin, Ron Carter, and Billy Cobham. Yet … [Read more...]