Jazz and Spanish Sounds Find Common Ground on New Bojaira’s ‘Zorongo Blu’
Comprised of seasoned jazz and flamenco musicians, the debut from New Bojaira demonstrates how well genres can merge under experienced hands.
Andy Jurik
Andy Jurik is a performer, educator, and writer based out of Asheville, NC. He holds a D.M.A. in guitar performance (music theory minor) from the University of South Carolina; his dissertation focused on the classical/jazz fusion of third stream music. Fascinated with the genre-crossing possibilities of the acoustic guitar, his arrangements for the instrument range from Scottish lute music and Brazilian choro to Radiohead and the Beatles. Andy currently teaches at the University of North Carolina Asheville and Presbyterian College. He is fueled by coffee, bourbon, and red wine in varying quantities.
The Pirate Ship Quintet Reconcile the Gloom and Hope of Post-Rock
On Emitter, UK instrumental ensemble the Pirate Ship Quintet dive deeper into the textures and sensibilities that define their beautifully melancholy sound.
“It’s Not About Genre, It’s About Emotion”: Composer William Brittelle on Faith, Music, and Identity
Composer and New Amsterdam Records co-founder William Brittelle discusses his latest work, Spiritual America, with PopMatters and talks about faith, genre, and his genre-fluid electro-acoustic music.
With ‘Temporal’ Julia Kent Fuses the Tactile and the Abstract
With an understanding of detail and texture, cellist Julia Kent's Temporal displays her intimate understanding of acoustic and electronic elements.
Four Seconds Ago Deliver a Promising Debut with ‘The Vacancy’
Transitioning from heavy metal to chill ambient sounds effortless in the hands Four Seconds Ago on The Vacancy, and shows how well they can transverse genres with equal measures of style and substance.
Aizuri Quartet’s ‘Blueprinting’ Is One the Best Contemporary Classical Debuts of the Year
The string quartet format is tried and true within classical music. However, there's something truly special about the Aizuri Quartet, something vivacious and energetic that makes their performances truly irresistible.
Marissa Nadler Delivers Heartbreak and Sorrow in the Most Beautiful Ways on ‘For My Crimes’
Rich in textures and raw emotions, Marissa Nadler's For My Crimes is a lush and rewarding record from an assured, mature songwriter.
Modern Jazz and Folkloric Rhythms Beautifully Meld on Miguel Zenón’s ‘Yo Soy la Tradición’
In collaboration with the wonderfully adept Spektral Quartet, Miguel Zenón's latest, Yo Soy la Tradición, is an astounding record demonstrating how versatile and fluid modern jazz can be in our day.
The Band of Heathens Honor Ray Charles With Soul, Love, and Song
Covering one of Ray Charles' most beloved albums track by track, the Band of Heathens' A Message From the People Revisited honors the humanity and soul of Charles with an Americana flair.
Luciana Souza Delivers a Breathtaking Album of Nuance, Homage, and Poetry with ‘The Book of Longing’
At times abstract and elusive while others vivacious and brimming with energy, Luciana Souza's The Book of Longing is a brilliant and sensual release from one of today's foremost jazz-crossover singers.
Jason Isbell’s Early Solo Days Are Revisited on the Re-Issue of ‘Sirens of the Ditch’
One of the most talented voices in Americana today, Jason Isbell's debut solo album Sirens of the Ditch receives a proper reissue.
Thomas Dolby Re-examined on His New Greatest Hits Compilation
It's easy to think of the neon and synthesizers of the 1980s as fodder for nostalgia. However, Hyperactive demonstrates how much heart, wit, and humor went into Thomas Dolby's records.