Results for "Contemporary Jazz"

David Garfield

David Garfield has been driven by the same mission statement since moving from his hometown of St. Louis to Los Angeles as a teenager in the early '70s: “I make music.” Fully living up to this vision and in more expansive ways over the past few decades, the multi-talented keyboardist, composer, arranger and recording artist has established himself an eclectic force of musical nature. At any given point during his career—and often at the same time—he has been a renowned songwriter, producer, bandleader (of Los Angeles based contemporary world jazz collectives Karizma and Los Lobotomys), arranger, recording artist, record label owner (Creatchy Records), session and touring musician, musical director and composer of various commissioned themes for global organizations.

Jonathan Reisin

Jonathan Reisin is a Brooklyn-based saxophonist, composer, and improviser born in Israel. His artistic vision revolves around crafting original music deeply influenced by Contemporary music, Jazz, and the Avant-Garde. Throughout his career, Jonathan has collaborated with notable artists such as Francisco Mela, Kris Davis, Anat Fort, Val Jeanty, Cooper Moore, and many more, with appearances at the Vermont Jazz Festival, Forward Festival (Brooklyn), M3 Festival (NY), Yearot Menache Festival (ISR), Gangneung International Art Festival (South Korea), and venues around the world. His debut album Option B (2022, Habitable Records) and Earthquake (2023, 577 Records), a collaboration with mentor Francisco Mela, both received strong reviews from critics and listeners

Tom Zygmont

Born: September 24, 1958

Boundless Expression & Timeless Music

Tom Zygmont’s debut album, Lumina Way, is extraordinary, multifaceted, and brilliantly performed. It makes a lasting impact unlike most contemporary jazz albums in recent memory

Zygmont’s rich musical journey naturally led him to collaborate with a wide range of gifted artists. For Lumina Way, he assembled an exceptional ensemble of LA’s top talent, coming together at the iconic Sunset Sound in Hollywood to capture the album live—resulting in an intimate, organic experience that radiates authenticity.

This venture into new age territory is both remarkable and unexpected, showcasing yet again the complete freedom Zygmont embraces throughout. So unique is this piece that he includes an explanation in his liners, writing, “The Epitaph of Seikilos” is widely considered the oldest surviving complete musical composition. The melody was carved onto a headstone in Greece in the first or second century CE. The English translation of the inscription reads: 

Tito Mangialajo Rantzer

Born: June 3, 1967

Tito Mangialajo Rantzer (born in Milano, Italy, on June 3rd, 1967) accomplished his studies with Franco Feruglio, Giorgio Azzolini, Furio Di Castri, Walter Booker, Dave Holland, Barre Phillips.

He collaborated with many italian jazz musicians, including Claudio Fasoli, Antonio Zambrini, Giovanni Falzone, Nexus, Francesca Ajmar, Michele Franzini, Dimitri Grechi Espinoza, Giovanni Venosta, Tino Tracanna, Giancarlo Locatelli, Massimo Minardi, Arrigo Cappelletti, Antonio Faraò, Ferdinando Faraò, Paolo Botti, Corrado Guarino, Giancarlo Tossani, Piero Delle Monache…

Mirna Bogdanovic

Award-winning singer & composer Mirna Bogdanovic is creating a blend of experimental sounds with jazz influenced vocals, effects and beats. With tireless curiosity, she explores the possibilities of harmony, combining the voice with acoustic and electronic soundscapes. The universe of Berlin-based artist Mirna Bogdanovic, invites the listeners into a warped world coated with jazz and avant-pop.

Bogdanović studied classical piano and jazz vocals at various music Colleges around Europe and finished her degree at the Jazz Institut Berlin (2017). At the time of her studies she won the Downbeat Student Award and was part of the National Youth Big Band (BuJazzo).

Uta Habbig

Born: September 28, 1986

New York-based, German-born singer and songwriter Uta Habbig distinguishes herself through a sensitive, colorful sound and compelling storytelling. She explores a vast musical landscape and transforms each song into her very own musical work of art through vocal presence and authentic expression. She asserts herself above all through a skillful synthesis of genres and playfully combines jazz, classical music and chamber pop in her compositions. Since her debut album Windward (2016) and the EP Songs from the Lighthouse (2020), both collections of original compositions, the musician has developed artistically through a variety of collaborations with the likes of Glenn Zaleski , Adi Meyerson, and Ari Kárason. Her new full length album is set to be released in May 2025. 

Jon Wollenberger

Born: March 11, 1995

Jon Wollenberger - Drummer | Composer | Bandleader

Jon Wollenberger is a Swiss-based drummer, composer, and bandleader whose music pulses with raw emotion and cinematic beauty. Rooted in jazz yet unbound by genre, his sound is a rich tapestry woven from folk, blues, and the atmospheric influences of artists like Radiohead, Brian Blade, and a love of Indian music.

With a dynamic touch and an instinct for storytelling through rhythm, Jon crafts music that resonates beyond the notes, drawing listeners into a world where improvisation meets deep melodic expression. His drumming is both fiery and fluid, shaping sonic landscapes that feel intimate yet expansive.

The Ostara Project

Active since: 2022

For Canadians, the arrival of spring is momentous: the air is fresh and full of possibility as tender green shoots reach up towards the light and the cycle of rebirth and renewal begins again. The Ostara Project, named for the Germanic goddess of the spring equinox, embodies hope and growth by showcasing the strength and creativity of Canadian women in jazz.

Ostara artists are all top-tier musicians, composers and bandleaders who reflect the geographical, cultural and creative diversity of Canada’s musical landscape. Lead by award-winning jazz musicians Jodi Proznick and Amanda Tosoff, The Ostara Project includes Rachel Therrien, Allison Au and Valérie Lacombe, with guest artists invited on a per-project basis. Individually, they are outstanding artists: collectively, they are a force.

Akemi Yamada

Born: September 18

Akemi Yamada, a native of Tokyo, has been captivating audiences with her unique "Dreamy Jazz" style in New York City since 2008. She graduated with a BFA in Jazz Vocal Performance from City College of New York in 2007, studying under jazz luminaries including Sheila Jordan, Mike Holober, Ray Santos, and John Patitucci. Her musical education was further enriched by mentorship from Grammy-winning Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza.

Akemi's discography includes her debut jazz album "With A Song In My Heart" (2007), showcasing her interpretation of jazz standards, and "Ta Bi Ji -My Journey-" (2015), introducing her original compositions. Additionally, she recorded for renowned flautist Ronald Lashley’s compilation album “Christmas Jingles” in 2014. Her "Dreamy Jazz" style uniquely blends contemporary jazz harmonies with elements of pop, Brazilian music, classical, gospel, and Japanese traditional music, exploring a connection between sophistication and deep emotion. Musical influences include Pat Metheny, Toninho Horta, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Yumi Arai (Matsutoya), and Monday Michiru.

Zhengtao Pan

Born: May 22, 2003

Zhengtao Pan is a composer and arranger born in 2003 who grew up in Shanghai, China. Currently studying Jazz Composition and Composition at Berklee College of Music, his commercial game works include "Mist Sequence," "Lost Soul Aside," "One Piece: The Bloodline," and "Arknights," among others. He has worked on music outsourcing for companies like ByteDance, Masaya Games, and miHoYo.

Beyond media scoring, Zhengtao Pan excels as an arranger and orchestrator for jazz orchestras and Big Bands, with his concert music premiered by ensembles like the HyperCube ensemble, Cascadia Composers, and Webster University.