David Becker - San Francisco jazz Examiner - Music

Germany probably isn't the first place that pops into mind at the suggestion of wild, adventurous jazz cultures. Yet the land of oompah music and Kraftwerk has had its moments, most notably during the pre-Nazi Weimar Era...

Yes, I had my doubts about pairing Hiromi -- a pianist of rare depth, imagination and jazz grounding -- with drummer Simon Phillips, a veteran session man who's pounded the skins for artists ranging from Judas Priest to Brian Eno...

The Monterey Jazz Festival has another busy weekend lined up for 2013. Festival organizers just announced the lineup for this year's edition, and headliners include Diana Krall, Wayne Shorter, Bobby McFerrin, George Benson and Orquestra Buena Vista Social...

You can be impressed with pianist Hiromi Uehara (who usually goes just by her first name) on any number of levels: The speed and sheer athleticism of her playing, her seemingly instinctual grasp of disparate musical idioms, her lavish gift...

Most cities are lucky to have a reasonably well-rehearsed college or high school jazz orchestra. We, however, have the SFJAZZ Collective, a supergroup of some of the world's best musicians making contemporary jazz. The current edition includes...

The San Jose Winter Fest kicks off Wednesday with performances at a half-dozen venues spread around downtown San Jose. Highlights include hip-hop-friendly pianists Robert Glasper (Saturday) and Jose James (Friday), Hammond B3 organ dynamo Tony Monaco (Sunday...