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...]
Jazz pianist Miwa spreads the musical wealth at sold-out Arts Garage show
For the past five years, Japanese jazz pianist Yoko Miwa (www.yokomiwa.com) has led her trio on annual trips to South Florida to perform at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach, gaining a growing following there in the process. Feb. 21 was Miwa’s latest installment, as the 55-year-old, classically trained pianist entertained a sold-out crowd during a two-hour show with … [Read more...]
Jazz star Yoko Miwa will return to Arts Garage
Touring performers never forget the first time they get booked at one of their favorite venues. Especially when it turns out that they can’t work there. Such was the case in March of 2020, when jazz pianist and composer Yoko Miwa (www.yokomiwa.com) was set to play at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach. COVID-19 intervened, like it did through much of life during that year, … [Read more...]
The season in jazz, 2025-26: Stalwarts keep essential American art form vibrant
In 1975, a song titled “All That Jazz” debuted in the musical Chicago. Fifty years later, in regard to the South Florida scene, its title could be amended to “Jazz — Is That All?” Without the few presenting venues and organizations here, and several of the artists who return every one to two years listed below, the genre would largely be missing in action for 2025-2026. … [Read more...]