Brian Culbertson I’m an old-school, slow-jazz guy. Give me a four-piece jazz band—sax, bass, drums and piano—and I’m ready to sit back, light up a fine cigar, pour my favorite cocktail and let the music take me somewhere. Most of the artists I’ve come to know and love were popular in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Miles Davis, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Chet Baker… that’s my musical neighborhood. I like my jazz smooth, sophisticated and unhurried. So, I never really thou

Every now and then you stumble across an artist who stops you in your tracks. For me, that artist is Andrea Motis. Born in Barcelona, Spain, Andrea Motis is an extraordinary jazz vocalist, trumpeter, saxophonist, and songwriter whose music effortlessly blends jazz and bossa nova. Although she began performing as a teenager with the renowned Joan Chamorro Quintet and the Sant Andreu Jazz Band, her poise and musical maturity have always seemed far beyond her years. Under the m

Part II Masters of Hard Bop, Modal Jazz, and Cool Jazz In Part II, we continue exploring some of my favorite jazz artists—musicians who pushed the boundaries of the genre while remaining deeply connected to its roots. Some embraced the blues-soaked energy of hard bop, others ventured into the rich harmonic landscapes of modal jazz, and a few boldly shattered convention altogether, creating entirely new forms of musical expression. Together, these innovators helped shape the s

Part 1 Jazz is a living, breathing art form. It’s a conversation across time, a blend of stories told through notes and rhythms. When we talk about famous jazz musicians, it’s not just about who sold the most records or played the biggest venues. It’s also about who inspired their peers, who pushed the music forward, and who left a mark that still echoes in every smoky club and late-night session. Today, I want to share with you a glimpse into the lives and legacies of some o

There are moments in American music culture when the volume drops a little, the edges soften, and something more refined takes shape. That’s where cool begins. (from the book “The Art of Jazz”) In the late 1940s, jazz was fast, fiery, and technically dazzling. Bebop, driven by the brilliance of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, was music that demanded your full attention. It was urban and complex. And then along came a young trumpeter named Miles Davis, who took a differen

Every Martini Friday at our place begins the same way. The ice hits the shaker. The gin comes out of the freezer. Two glasses sit on the counter waiting to frost over. And somewhere in the background, the opening notes of “Patricia” start to play. That’s when the evening officially begins. The song is performed by legendary alto saxophonist Art Pepper, and from the moment that melody starts floating through the room, everything slows down just a bit. It’s smooth, thoughtful