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Take Five with Saxophonist/Singer/Guitarist Vanessa Collier
by AAJ Staff
Meet Vanessa Collier Vanessa Collier's sixth album Do It My Own Way was recently released on Phenix Fire Records. Recorded on analog gear with the musicians largely in one room, Do It My Own Way is sonically inspired by the classic Memphis soul sound of Stax and Hi Records, especially that of the Staples Singers. The second single “Wild As a Rainstorm," which dives deep into soul territory, powerfully gives advice to women and people who feel left out to ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with Singer, Guitarist and Pianist Martina Fiserova
by AAJ Staff
Meet Martina Fiserova Martina Fišerová is a New York-based singer, guitarist, songwriter and lyricist. Born and raised in Bohemia, Czech Republic, she graduated as a vocalist from the jazz-focused Jaroslav Ježek College, in addition to studying anthroposophical music therapy. She has performed alongside a number of prominent artists at music festivals and venues throughout Europe, as well as in Taiwan and Vietnam. Martina's debut release Clearing Fields (Blue Season, 2012), with her interpretation of jazz standards, originated from ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with Accordionist Nathan Koci
by AAJ Staff
Meet Nathan Koci Nathan Koci is a composer, performer, and music director working across a variety of styles and disciplines, from jazz to theater to dance to improvised and experimental musics. His album Solomon Diaries Vol IV & V (Adhyaropa Records, 2025) with clarinetist Sam Sadigursky is a modern take on Klezmer jazz. As an accordionist, he has performed and recorded with Sam Sadigursky, Guy Klucevsek, South African artist William Kentridge, Maira Kalman, the Michael Leonhart Orchestra, and ...
Continue ReadingTake Five With Clarinet And Composer Kinan Azmeh
by AAJ Staff
Meet Kinan Azmeh Hailed as a “virtuoso, intensely soulful" by The New York Times and “spellbinding" by the New Yorker, Syrian-born, Brooklyn-based genre-bending composer, clarinetist and improvisor Kinan Azmeh has been touring the globe with great acclaim. He has collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, John McLaughlin, Daniel Barenboim and the New York Philharmonic, among others. Azmeh is the winner of Germany's Opus Klassik Award for his solo album Uneven Sky (Dreyer Gaido, 2019) and is featured on the Grammy-winning album Sing ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with violinist and ETHEL member Kip Jones
by AAJ Staff
Meet Kip Jones Kip Jones (violin) is known for his ebullient and innovative solo performances in a style he describes as “experimental folk." Kip is a member of the acclaimed ETHEL string quartet and can often be found performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as its Ensemble-in-Residence. Kip is preparing to premiere Monk arrangements for string quartet and bass as part of ETHEL's upcoming March 13 th Carnegie Hall debut with Maestro Ron Carter. A modern musical ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with Saxophonist Zishi Liu
by AAJ Staff
Meet Zishi LiuZishi Liu is a jny: Boston-based saxophonist and music curator originally from China. He made history as the first Chinese artist to play at Boston's famed Regattabar in collaboration with Blue Note Jazz Club in 2025. His work has been featured by WGBH, contributing to the broader narrative of Asian representation in jazz. His music explores the tension between familiar and foreign themes, drawing inspiration from Coltrane's later works and the evolving sounds of '90s Asian ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with Saxophonist Noah Peterson
by AAJ Staff
Meet Noah Peterson While his troubadour days are behind him, Noah continues to have musical adventures. From his many bands and explorations of different genres of music Noah always has his fingers in something. His latest adventure includes his brand new quartet recording of all original music Coming Home To You and the rebirth of The Noah Peterson Soul-Tet (recording coming later this year.) Noah has regular performances in San Antonio, TX with some stellar combos. Instruments: Saxophone, ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with Bassist Anthony Muthurajah
by AAJ Staff
Meet Anthony Muthurajah Anthony Muthurajah is a Bahrain-born Sri Lankan bassist whose musical journey began at age 12 as a church band drummer. He later picked up the guitar and bass, and at 17, moved to Chennai, India, where he became immersed in the gospel scene. In 2010, he moved to Kuala Lumpur to study at the International College of Music, where he switched to bass guitar as his primary instrument. By 2011, Anthony became an active session ...
Continue ReadingTake Five with Guitarist Jamie Pye
by AAJ Staff
Meet Jamie Pye Jamie Pye is a jny: London-based jazz guitarist and composer with roots in both Australia and New Zealand. He performs in various line ups and contexts; from intimate duo residencies to headline performances as a bandleader showcasing his original music. He is often part of house bands for jam sessions around town, or as a sideman on other projects. In 2023, Jamie completed his first 10-date national tour around New Zealand, including appearances at the ...
Continue ReadingTake Five With Trombonist-Composer Naomi Moon Siegel
by AAJ Staff
An award-winning trombonist, improviser, composer and educator, Naomi Moon Siegel is committed to creating a positive, transformative music culture beyond conventional genre norms. She has been an innovative performer and recording artist since graduating from Oberlin Conservatory in 2006. Siegel kicked off her professional career on the West Coast in jny:Oakland, California, and came of age as a composer and bandleader in jny:Seattle's thriving improv scene. Siegel is a staunch advocate for intersectional gender justice in jazz and music settings, ...
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