kh1958

January 3, 2026: Michael Palma/Shelley Carrol Quartet, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin January 10, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Miquel Zenon and Kinetic Ensemble, Hobby Center, Houston January 11, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston January 16, 2026: Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 17, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 23, 2026: Al Dimeola, Kessler Theater, Dallas January 24, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's Austin Al Dimeola, Heights Theater, Houston January 31, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Hamilton de Holanda Trio, Windmills, The Colony Jason Moran (Ellington Tribute, solo and with UT Jazz Orchestra), Bates Recital Hall, Austin February 2, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio with Tivon Pennicott, Drink and Think, Denton February 3, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Parker Jazz Club, Austin February 4, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio with Tivon Pennicott, Doc's, Houston February 5, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, JazzTX, San Antonio February 20, 2026: Shemekia Copeland and Ally Venable, Granville Arts Center, Garland February 22, 2026: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Wortham Theater, Houston February 24, 2026: Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart Trio, Parker Jazz Club, Austin February 25, 2026: Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart Trio, JazzTX, San Antonio March 5, 2026: Pat Metheny, Charline McCombs Empire Theater, San Antonio March 6, 2026: Pat Metheny, Paramount Theater, Austin Jackie Venson, Windmills, The Colony March 7, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Wortham Theater, Houston Jackie Venson, Windmills, The Colony March 13, 2026: T.K. Blue and African Rhythms Alumni, A Tribute to Randy Weston, Walton Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas March 20, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin March 21, 2026: Sunny War, Anne Harris, Sable Sisters (Kaia Kater), Buffalo Nichols, Jake Blount, Justin Robinson, Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival, Southside Preservation Hall, Fort Worth March 22, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston March 26, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Marc Ribot, Ches Smith Clone Row, Isaiah Collier, William Hooker Quartet, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 27, 2026: Chucho Valdes Royal Quartet, John Scofield Trio, Ghost Train Orchestra: The Music of Moondog, Jeff Parker Expansion Trio, Miles Okazaki Trickster, Nate Smith, Ned Rothenberg, Nik Bartsch, Sullivan Fortner Trio, Tim Berne, Thomas Fujiwara: Dream Up, Saha Gnawa, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 28, 2026: Darius Jones Trio, Either/Orchestra, Incerto, Marquis Hill Blacktet, Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki: The Compete Monk, , Nate Smith, Nik Bartsch Ronin, Patricia Brennan Septet, Shabaka, Yasmin Williams and William Tyler, Incerto, Electrical Field of Love, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 29, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Chicago Underground Duo, Dave Douglas Gifts Quartet, Either/Orchestra Plays Eithiopiques, Julian Lage Quartet, Marc Ribot, Matt Mitchell's Zealous Angles, Miles Electric Band, Nels Cline: Lovers, Openness Trio, Tom Skinner,, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee April 1, 2026: Samara Joy, Winspear Opera House, Dallas Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Majestic Theater, Dallas April 2, 2026: Kaia Kater, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas Samora Joy, Austin City Limits April 4, 2026: Samora Joy, Tobin Center, San Antonio Melissa Aldana, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 10, 2026: Coltrane at 100 (Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Ndudzo Makhathini, Matt Garrison, Jefftain Watts), Cullen Theater, Houston April 23-26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Hiromi Sonicwonder, Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Catherine Russell, Astral Project, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Kyle Roussel, Mahmoud Chouki, Peter Harris Presnts Firm Roots, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Tuba Skinny, Jamil Sharif, Louis Ford, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal,, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Kenny Neal, Little Freddie King, Chris Thomas King, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Sevana (Jamaica), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Joy Clark, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 1, 2026: Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull April 30-May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Dianne Reeves; Isaiah Collier, Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Charlie Gabriel; Jason Marsalis, Victor Campbell, Alexey Marti, Steve Masakowski Family Band, Doreen, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Leroy Jones, Stephen Walker, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Jackie Venson, Larry McCray, D.K. Harrell, Leyla McCalla, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Lila Ike (Jamaica), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston

Clark Terry, Tread Ye Lightly (Cameo) Jimmy Rushing, Five Feet of Soul (Colpix)

Yes, protect tootsies and massage Zorn's ego

Yes, it's kind of annoying, as that is my favorite festival venue. I have a couple of his concerts on my tentative schedule but in general I'm pretty lukewarm on him.

A jazz series curated and produced by DACAMERA bringing outstanding emerging artists from the national scene to the historic Eldorado Ballroom. 2 sets: 5PM and 7PM * Choose What You Pay! Please consider the $50 price to show your support for DACAMERA’s jazz programming and to help make these performances accessible to all. Be the first to discover tomorrow’s jazz stars! Hear electrifying new artists in club-style performances at Houston’s legendary jazz venue. Join the email list or text DACAMERA to 346-440-4545 to be notified when the next show goes on sale! Questions or need help? Call 713-524-5050 or email boxoffice@dacamera.com. Brandon Woody’s Upendo Sunday | January 11 | 5:00 PM Set Choose-What-You-Pay Tickets Eldorado Ballroom Hailed by The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, trumpeter Brandon Woody released his Blue Note Records debut album, For The Love Of It All, in May 2025. MORE INFOPURCHASE TICKETS Brandon Woody’s Upendo Sunday | January 11 | 7:00 PM Set Choose-What-You-Pay Tickets on sale Monday, December 8 Eldorado Ballroom Hailed by The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, trumpeter Brandon Woody released his Blue Note Records debut album, For The Love Of It All, in May 2025. MORE INFOPURCHASE TICKETS Sarah Hanahan Sunday | March 22 | 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Sets Choose-What-You-Pay Tickets Eldorado Ballroom Sarah Hanahan was named Rising Star Alto Saxophonist in Downbeat’s 2025 Critics Poll. The magazine awarded her debut album, Among Giants, 5 stars and named it one of their Best Albums of the Year for 2024. MORE INFO LUCÍA Sunday | May 17 | 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Sets Choose-What-You-Pay Tickets Eldorado Ballroom LUCÍA is a 23-year-old vocalist from Veracruz, Mexico whose singular artistic vision bridges the gaps between jazz, Latin and pop music. She is the first artist from Mexico to enter and win the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. MORE INFO

Thanks. I ordered the paperback.

This is my fourth Joe Farmsworth led session on Smoke Sessions, and they are all good.

Joe Farnsworth, The Big Room (Smoke Sessions)

Boston’s The Either/Orchestra is back in time to celebrate its 40th Anniversary and we’re celebrating with two concerts at Big Ears 2026. The ten-piece E/O will be joined by legendary Ethiopian vocalist Teshome Mitiku and younger gen vocalist Munit Mesfin for a dive into their Ethiopian songbook, including selections from their new release éthiopiques 32: Nalbandian the Ethiopian as well as 2005’s éthiopiques 20: Live in Addis.

Erroll Garner, Penthouse Serenade (Savoy)

I only saw him for two consecutive nights in 1985 (Blanchard/Toussaint/Harrison/Miller/Plaxico). I didn't note any decline. In point of fact, I recall that at one point each evening Blakey's drumming became so intense it was almost physically overwhelming. The only other time I experienced something similar was with Max Roach.

Chico Hamilton, Ellington Suite (World Pacific)

Yes; it's well recorded and good.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Vibrations in the Village: Live at the Village Gate (Resonance)

They are where you left them last time.

December 19, 2025: Chris Foreman, Antone's, Austin January 10, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Miquel Zenon and Kinetic Ensemble, Hobby Center, Houston January 11, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston January 16, 2026: Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 17, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 23, 2026: Al Dimeola, Kessler Theater, Dallas January 24, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's Austin Al Dimeola, Heights Theater, Houston January 31, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Hamilton de Holanda Trio, Windmills, The Colony February 2, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Drink and Think, Denton February 3, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Parker Jazz Club, Austin February 20, 2026: Shemekia Copeland and Ally Venable, Granville Arts Center, Garland February 22, 2026: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Wortham Theater, Houston March 5, 2026: Pat Metheny, Charline McCombs Empire Theater, San Antonio March 6, 2026: Pat Metheny, Paramount Theater, Austin March 7, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Wortham Theater, Houston March 13, 2026: T.K. Blue and African Rhythms Alumni, A Tribute to Randy Weston, Walton Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas March 20, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin March 21, 2026: Sunny War, Anne Harris, Buffalo Nichols, Jake Blount, Justin Robinson, Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival, Southside Preservation Hall, Fort Worth March 22, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston March 26, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Marc Ribot, Ches Smith Clone Row, Isaiah Collier, William Hooker Quartet, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 27, 2026: Chucho Valdes Royal Quartet, John Scofield Trio, Ghost Train Orchestra: The Music of Moondog, Jeff Parker Expansion Trio, Miles Okazaki Trickster, Nate Smith, Ned Rothenberg, Nik Bartsch, Sullivan Fortner Trio, Tim Berne, Thomas Fujiwara: Dream Up, Saha Gnawa, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 28, 2026: Darius Jones Trio, Either/Orchestra, Incerto, Marquis Hill Blacktet, Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki: The Compete Monk, , Nate Smith, Nik Bartsch Ronin, Patricia Brennan Septet, Shabaka, Yasmin Williams and William Tyler, Incerto, Electrical Field of Love, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 29, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Chicago Underground Duo, Dave Douglas Gifts Quartet, Either/Orchestra Plays Eithiopiques, Julian Lage Quartet, Marc Ribot, Matt Mitchell's Zealous Angles, Miles Electric Band, Nels Cline: Lovers, Openness Trio, Tom Skinner,, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee April 1, 2026: Samara Joy, Winspear Opera House, Dallas Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Majestic Theater, Dallas April 2, 2026: Kaia Kater, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas Samora Joy, Austin City Limits April 4, 2026: Samora Joy, Tobin Center, San Antonio April 10, 2026: Coltrane at 100 (Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Ndudzo Makhathini, Matt Garrison, Jefftain Watts), Cullen Theater, Houston April 23-26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Hiromi Sonicwonder, Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Catherine Russell, Astral Project, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Kyle Roussel, Mahmoud Chouki, Peter Harris Presnts Firm Roots, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Tuba Skinny, Jamil Sharif, Louis Ford, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal,, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Kenny Neal, Little Freddie King, Chris Thomas King, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Sevana (Jamaica), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Joy Clark, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 30-May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Dianne Reeves; Isaiah Collier, Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Charlie Gabriel; Jason Marsalis, Victor Campbell, Alexey Marti, Steve Masakowski Family Band, Doreen, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Leroy Jones, Stephen Walker, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Jackie Venson, Larry McCray, D.K. Harrell, Leyla McCalla, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Lila Ike (Jamaica), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston

B.B. King, Broadcasting the Blues: Live From Germany and Sweden (Time Traveler)

December 19, 2025: Chris Foreman, Antone's, Austin January 10, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Miquel Zenon and Kinetic Ensemble, Hobby Center, Houston January 11, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston January 16, 2026: Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 17, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 23, 2026: Al Dimeola, Kessler Theater, Dallas January 24, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's Austin Al Dimeola, Heights Theater, Houston January 31, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Hamilton de Holanda Trio, Windmills, The Colony February 2, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Drink and Think, Denton February 3, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Parker Jazz Club, Austin February 20, 2026: Shemekia Copeland and Ally Venable, Granville Arts Center, Garland February 22, 2026: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Wortham Theater, Houston March 5, 2026: Pat Metheny, Charline McCombs Empire Theater, San Antonio March 6, 2026: Pat Metheny, Paramount Theater, Austin March 7, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Wortham Theater, Houston March 13, 2026: T.K. Blue and African Rhythms Alumni, A Tribute to Randy Weston, Walton Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas March 20, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin March 21, 2026: Sunny War, Anne Harris, Buffalo Nichols, Jake Blount, Justin Robinson, Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival, Southside Preservation Hall, Fort Worth March 22, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston March 26, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Marc Ribot, Ches Smith Clone Row, Isaiah Collier, William Hooker Quartet, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 27, 2026: Chucho Valdes Royal Quartet, John Scofield Trio, Ghost Train Orchestra: The Music of Moondog, Jeff Parker Expansion Trio, Miles Okazaki Trickster, Nate Smith, Ned Rothenberg, Nik Bartsch, Sullivan Fortner Trio, Tim Berne, Thomas Fujiwara: Dream Up, Saha Gnawa, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 28, 2026: Darius Jones Trio, Either/Orchestra, Incerto, Marquis Hill Blacktet, Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki: The Compete Monk, , Nate Smith, Nik Bartsch Ronin, Patricia Brennan Septet, Shabaka, Yasmin Williams and William Tyler, Incerto, Electrical Field of Love, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 29, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Chicago Underground Duo, Dave Douglas Gifts Quartet, Either/Orchestra Plays Eithiopiques, Julian Lage Quartet, Marc Ribot, Matt Mitchell's Zealous Angles, Miles Electric Band, Nels Cline: Lovers, Openness Trio, Tom Skinner,, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee April 1, 2026: Samara Joy, Winspear Opera House, Dallas Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Majestic Theater, Dallas April 2, 2026: Kaia Kater, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas Samora Joy, Austin City Limits April 4, 2026: Samora Joy, Tobin Center, San Antonio April 10, 2026: Coltrane at 100 (Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Ndudzo Makhathini, Matt Garrison, Jefftain Watts), Cullen Theater, Houston April 23-26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Hiromi Sonicwonder, Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Catherine Russell, Astral Project, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Kyle Roussel, Mahmoud Chouki, Peter Harris Presnts Firm Roots, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Tuba Skinny, Jamil Sharif, Louis Ford, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal,, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Kenny Neal, Little Freddie King, Chris Thomas King, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Sevana (Jamaica), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Joy Clark, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 30-May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Dianne Reeves; Isaiah Collier, Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Charlie Gabriel; Jason Marsalis, Victor Campbell, Alexey Marti, Steve Masakowski Family Band, Doreen, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Leroy Jones, Stephen Walker, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Jackie Venson, Larry McCray, D.K. Harrell, Leyla McCalla, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2026 Weekend One: Jazz: Ron Carter Quartet, Hiromi Sonicwonder, Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Catherine Russell, Astral Project, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Kyle Roussel, Mahmoud Chouki, Peter Harris Presnts Firm Roots, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Tuba Skinny, Jamil Sharif, Louis Ford Blues:Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Kenny Neal, Little Freddie King, Chris Thomas King World: Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Sevana (Jamaica), Nidia Gongora (Guatamala); Yusa (Cuba) Folk: Joy Clark Weekend Two: Jazz: Herbie Hancock; Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Dianne Reeves; Isaiah Collier, Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Charlie Gabriel; Jason Marsalis, Victor Campbell, Alexey Marti, Steve Masakowski Family Band, Doreen, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Leroy Jones, Stephen Walker Blues: Jackie Venson, Larry McCray, D.K. Harrell Folk: Leyla McCalla

Cheikh Lo, Maame (World Circuit)

SML, How You Been (International Anthem)

I like that; thank you. I could not find any recordings of this band in my usual sources, though.

December 19, 2025: Chris Foreman, Antone's, Austin January 10, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Miquel Zenon and Kinetic Ensemble, Hobby Center, Houston January 11, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston January 16, 2026: Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 17, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Delvon Lamarr Trio, Windmills, The Colony January 23, 2026: Al Dimeola, Kessler Theater, Dallas January 24, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's Austin Al Dimeola, Heights Theater, Houston January 31, 2026: Jackie Venson, Antone's, Austin Hamilton de Holanda Trio, Windmills, The Colony February 2, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Drink and Think, Denton February 3, 2026: Ari Hoenig Trio, Parker Jazz Club, Austin February 20, 2026: Shemekia Copeland and Ally Venable, Granville Arts Center, Garland February 22, 2026: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Wortham Theater, Houston March 5, 2026: Pat Metheny, Charline McCombs Empire Theater, San Antonio March 6, 2026: Pat Metheny, Paramount Theater, Austin March 7, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Wortham Theater, Houston March 13, 2026: T.K. Blue and African Rhythms Alumni, A Tribute to Randy Weston, Walton Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas March 20, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin March 21, 2026: Sunny War, Anne Harris, Buffalo Nichols, Jake Blount, Justin Robinson, Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival, Southside Preservation Hall, Fort Worth March 22, 2026: Sarah Hanahan, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston March 26, 2026: Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Marc Ribot, Ches Smith Clone Row, Isaiah Collier, William Hooker Quartet, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 27, 2026: Chucho Valdes Royal Quartet, John Scofield Trio, Ghost Train Orchestra: The Music of Moondog, Jeff Parker Expansion Trio, Miles Okazaki Trickster, Nate Smith, Ned Rothenberg, Nik Bartsch, Sullivan Fortner Trio, Tim Berne, Thomas Fujiwara: Dream Up, Saha Gnawa, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 28, 2026: Darius Jones Trio, Either/Orchestra, Incerto, Marquis Hill Blacktet, Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki: The Compete Monk, , Nate Smith, Nik Bartsch Ronin, Patricia Brennan Septet, Shabaka, Yasmin Williams and William Tyler, Incerto, Electrical Field of Love, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee March 29, 2026: Brandon Woody's Upendo, Chicago Underground Duo, Dave Douglas Gifts Quartet, Either/Orchestra Plays Eithiopiques, Julian Lage Quartet, Marc Ribot, Matt Mitchell's Zealous Angles, Miles Electric Band, Nels Cline: Lovers, Openness Trio, Tom Skinner,, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee April 1, 2026: Samara Joy, Winspear Opera House, Dallas Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Majestic Theater, Dallas April 2, 2026: Kaia Kater, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas Samora Joy, Austin City Limits April 4, 2026: Samora Joy, Tobin Center, San Antonio April 10, 2026: Coltrane at 100 (Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Ndudzo Makhathini, Matt Garrison, Jefftain Watts), Cullen Theater, Houston April 23-26, 2026: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 30-May 3, 2026: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston

I left Etran de L'Air off my list of African concerts in 2025. NOJHF 2025 featured: Afrobeat from Seun Kuti and Eygpt 80. Thrilling music from Senegal with the great Youssou N'Dour. Intense Afro-rock from Benin International Musical. North African/electronica fusion from Zar Electrik. Sahara desert blues from Etran de L'Air. Some worthy African music releases from 2025: Mulatu Astatke, Mutalu Plays Mulatu WITCH, Sogolo Ballake Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Emile Parisien, Vincent Pierani, Sou Kora Jupiter & Okwess, Ekoya Youssou N'Dour, Eclairer le Monde (Light the World) Salif Keita, So Kono Mdou Moctar, Tears of Injustice Ballake Sissoko and Derek Gripper Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head) Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Orchestra, Tension

This evening, Shelley Carrol Quartet at the Kitchen Cafe. A program of songs associated with Stan Getz. Quite excellent.