The Checkout Simon Rentner

We’ve always admired Shai Maestro’s fearless approach to music. When he sits down at the piano, especially in an improvisational solo setting, he checks the temperature of a space and lets the music come to him, allowing one idea to flow into another. But he wasn’t always that free.

For years, the French accordionist Vincent Peirani resisted playing tango. Why would a modernist like himself venture down a predictable road? Now, with Abrazo , he not only embraces the tango, but puts his own squeeze on the tradition too.

Pianist and songwriter Chilly Gonzales is on the record saying he hates Christmas. In reality, it’s a little more complicated than that.

Clark Terry, the matchless trumpeter and flugelhorn player, was born 100 years ago today.

Only a few modern harpists are redefining their instrument. Meet Laura Perrudin, a French singer-songwriter breaking ground with her chromatic electric harp.