Bobby Bradford Homecoming
At this year's Austin Jazz & Arts Fest, world-renowned trumpeter Bobby Bradford will return to Austin for his first concert here since 1963.

Enjoy Some Jazz
What would happen if we took Fred Sanders, Earl Harvin, and Marchel Ivery, threw them into the same jazz club, turned the lights down real low, and let them play all night long?

Ernie Watts Brings Traditional Yet Unique Sound to Austin
Tenor saxaphonist Ernie Watts calls his way of life "hectic but fulfilling."

An Evening of Extreme: a Sample Platter from the Blondies Menu
" 'Don't even fucking like it, you know you didn't like it, you guys are full of shit," yells Bob Furtado, lead singer of Self Abuse, in response to a smattering of applause that follows his opening number.

Hear the Details
Epistrophy Arts is a new production company in town. Welcome. Everybody say it: e-PIS-tro-PHY.

Hip-Hop Out of Exile
We live in a time which dictates the term "moral panic" -- modest words, taken from cultural studies and mandated national policy for some countries, local government and yes, even little national battles with rap music.

Inkululeko
The female vocal ensemble Inkululeko has just released their debut self-titled CD. And I have to tell you, listening to this first effort from Caroline Lyon and crew is one of the most enjoyable in-home musical experiences that I have had lately.

In the L.A. Downtown Arts Scene You Pay...to Play?
This exciting capitalist idea was obviously conceived by some higher-up: a corporate superexec or maybe a sleazy club hound. Fascinating as it was, I had to call the Viper Room and inquire about it. They of course did not return my phone call.

Local Flavor Adds More Than Spice to Austin
Sue and Mike Donahoe are neat people. Their business is unique to Austin -- friendly and exciting in that grass roots kind of way. They stock local CDs and tapes from all over Texas, but the majority of their collection comes from Austinites.

Music in Austin: the Shape of Things to Come
I was talking with musicians whom I hadn't seen in some time, when one of them remarked wistfully that the blues scene in Austin has changed in recent years. It used to be that everyone knew each other. Now the scene has become fragmented and there is less of a sense of community. What my friend had noticed was a change in the way musical traditions are passed between generations.

The Man with the Golden Arm Trio
Recently I have been fortunate to play some dates with the Golden Arm Trio, a group which seems to be garnering the nickname of "Austin's jazz bad boys."

Nicholas Payton Rocks the Victory
The Victory Grill on East 11th Street is recognized by growing numbers of Austinites as an historic club that links the present-day music scene to the city's musical heritage.

On the Record...J.J. Johnson
Drummer J.J. Johnson has been making his presence felt in the Austin scene since the early 1990s.

Rock Stars & Barbie Dolls: an Evening with Johnnie Medina
He's traveled all over the world. He's partied with the Sex Pistols. He's survived a nightclub shootout. He drives a black '65 Pontiac GTO and rides a Harley Davidson. He follows his passions -- for music and photography -- and achieves success by doing what he loves.

The Soul of Tunji
You may have noticed that the band Tunji has been getting a lot of attention lately. Their CD was released in June, they've been receiving favorable press and their shows have been packed.

The Spiritual Side of Jazz
The gospel music tradition has shared a symbiotic relationship with jazz for about a century now, and composers of religious music increasingly tap the jazz reservoir for inspiration.

A Sweet Baby Thing Called Jazz
Has Austin jazz found unity and purpose, a shared community? That is the question that DiverseArts director and Jazz Fest producer Harold McMillan seems to be grappling with.

Two Down, Four to Go
Austin, Texas: "Live Musician Hassler Capital of the World."