On April 22nd, GRAMMY U participated in a refreshing sound check followed by a Q&A session with jazz bassist, singer and GRAMMY Award winner, Esperanza Spalding at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. This event allowed GRAMMY U students to see the technical set-up of the instruments and then enjoy the sweet sound of Esperanza’s vocal warm-ups and bass riffs paired with a seven-piece horn section before being escorted to the Q&A. Continue Reading on Grammy365.com.

Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote in 2003: “Mr. Galbán was one of the wonders of Cuban music in the 1960s. His playing pulled together two almost contradictory approaches: the floating reverb of surf guitar and the percussive, snapping sound of the tres, the small guitar that’s a fulcrum between rhythm and melody in Cuban son groups.”. Listen Manuel Galbán on this week’s Jazz Caliente, Thursday at 2pm on KPLU’s Mid Day Jazz.

Cuban singer Omara Portuondo and Mexican soprano  Regina Orozco, delivered a great performance at Auditorio Estatal Sentimientos de la Nación in Chilpancingo (México). With feeling and commitment, they sang great classics from Agustin Lara and Alvaro Carrillo. More info here.

Inspired by his father, Bobby McFerrin is releasing a collection of devotional tunes, an idea that first captured his imagination 20 years ago.
The album, spirityouall (a twist on “spiritual”), arrives May 14 on Sony Masterworks with seven classic spirituals, five originals and a cover of Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released. McFerrin, 63, is joined by Esperanza Spalding (who sings on three tracks), bassist Larry Grenadier, multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell, and drummers Ali Jackson and Charley Drayton. Arranger and musical director Gil Goldstein played accordion and keyboards. Learn more here.

Fena Della Maggiora travels through Latin America to interview and meet famous and respected women musicians: the singers. Cecilia Todd and Soledad Bravo in Venezuela, Negra González Mina and Toto la Momposina in Colombia, Beth Carvalho and Gal Costa in Brazil, Paquita la del Barrio in Mexico, Omara Portuondo of Cuba and Susana Baca in Peru. In this documentary the series the musicians reveal their history, memories, music and songs that led them to be great performers and composers. Find more information about the documentary here.

On Monday, April 8, pianist Roberto Fonseca gave a charismatic concert at Cully Jazz Festival. A recital led by a true alchemist of sound, balanced Fonseca’s acoustic sounds, evanescent electronic sounds with radio tunings. His hands gracefully alternated between the electronic keyboard and piano with an accuracy like a true virtuoso. Here the full post.

Member of the most iconic contemporary jazz trio with Keith Jarrett and Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette is also, as demonstrated for years in Palau de la Música Barcelona (Spain) in a tribute to Tony Williams, a brilliant composer and bandleader. On 15 November, Jack DeJohnette Group with Don Byron will attend to the 45 VOLL-DAMM International Jazz of Barcelona. More information here.

Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca sits down to talk with MarieClaire.it, “I learned the most from Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club. The Club was not a real school, but with them I learned to play real music of Cuba as only they can teach it.” Learn more here.