Music

Trumpeter Milt Ward's 1970s jazz album, "Milt Ward and Virgo Spectrum," is getting a proper reissue from Frederiksberg Records. (Courtesy Frederiksberg Records)

A lost spiritual jazz record made in Boston resurfaces

In the late 1970s, trumpeter Milt Ward brought a hand-picked band into a local studio and cut a cosmos jazz record he hoped would elevate his career. Over the ensuing...

Arts & Culture

Jun 15, 2022

Massachusetts rapper Millyz (Courtesy Dom Bruno)

Rapper Millyz is bringing Massachusetts hip-hop to the mainstream with 'Blanco 5'

The Cambridge artist's "Blanco" series has been the anchor of his career, and now, he’s out with his new album and it's clear he has "found his sound," writes music...

Arts & Culture

Jun 3, 2022

A packed crowd for Weezer. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Boston Calling Music Festival returned with joyful crowds and a few pitfalls

This year’s festival was different -- thanks to heavier headliners Nine Inch Nails and Metallica, a more eclectic undercard than ever, and nixed arena events -- but it offered pleasant...

Arts & Culture

May 30, 2022

Group portrait The Del Fuegos at the Vic Theater, Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 8, 1985. Pictured are, from left, Warren Zanes, Dan Zanes, Tom Lloyd and Woody Giessmann. (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

Del Fuegos reunion show at the Roadrunner canceled over insurance

The concert was meant to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the ‘80s club, The Channel, but due to a misreading of the venue's contract and insurance requirements, the show was...

Arts & Culture

May 30, 2022

Eric Burton walks down to greet the crowd during Black Pumas' performance. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

See photos from Boston Calling Music Festival's return

Music fans returned once again to Harvard University's athletic complex in Allston for three days of live music featuring over 50 acts across four stages.

Arts & Culture

May 27, 2022

Linda Pardee and Tim Gillis of the Chelsea Curve. (Courtesy Roland Ouellette)

Local band The Chelsea Curve represents retro mod pop at Boston Calling

"We sort of have our own piece of Boston sound, so we're happy to represent in that way and to keep it going," said Linda Pardee, the band's bassist and...

Arts & Culture

04:54May 27, 2022

The Boston Pops perform at the Hatch Memorial Shell during a previous July 4 performance. (Courtesy of Michael Blanchard/BSO)

Pops' Fourth of July spectacular returns to Boston for first time since pandemic began

For the first time since 2019, the Boston Pops will return to the Charles River Esplanade for the Fireworks Spectacular.

Arts & Culture

May 26, 2022

From left, Sander Bryce and Jonah Levine of the duo H A U N T E R. (Courtesy of the artists)

Musical duo H A U N T E R takes listeners on a beat-laden trip into the mind

The electronic hip-hop and psychedelic textures on their new release, “DREAM THE DAY AWAY,” make it their most thoughtful and patient project to date.

Arts & Culture

May 26, 2022

Fans at Boston Calling in 2019. (Courtesy Boston Calling)

Boston Calling organizers are ready for the fans and the festival's return

It's been more than 1,000 days since organizers have been able to transform Harvard University's athletic complex into their mammoth music festival, an event that has "literally been three years...

Arts & Culture

May 24, 2022

The Roadrunner celebrates 1980s music venue the Channel with Del Fuegos reunion

On May 28, the defunct South Boston venue will be reincarnated, in a manner of speaking, with a handful of acts that often played in the ‘80s returning to the...

Arts & Culture

May 24, 2022

Clockwise from top left: Celisse, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Cliff Notez, Horsegirl and Orville Peck will all perform at the 2022 Boston Calling. (Courtesy Boston Calling)

5 musical acts to watch at this year's Boston Calling

From a subversive country star to a confessional homegrown rapper, Nathan Tavares recommends acts to tune into outside of the headlining bands.

Arts & Culture

May 23, 2022

Alisa Amador (Courtesy Jacqueline Marie Photo)

How her Tiny Desk Contest win returned Alisa Amador to a life in music

The Boston musician beat out thousands of entries with her song, "Milonga Accidental," which explores Amador's quest for a sense of belonging across cultural identities.

Arts & Culture

May 19, 2022

Ryan Lee Crosby (Courtesy Lisette Rooney)

Medford bluesman Ryan Lee Crosby captures the moody sounds of Bentonia, Mississippi on new album

The 42-year-old post-punk rocker’s new album “Winter Hill Blues” — named after Winter Hill in Somerville — channels the moody blues of Bentonia, Mississippi, the North Mississippi blues, and sees...

Arts & Culture

May 18, 2022

Musician Johan Lenox debuts symphonically inspired pop album 'WDYWTBWYGU'

The Winchester native fully embraces the ennui of adolescence on his debut album, his insecurities shamelessly on display and begging for analysis.

Arts & Culture

May 12, 2022

Rapper $ean Wire is stepping out of his comfort zone on 'Reflections'

Wire brings an authenticity and a forever growing world perspective to his new project. "This is the season of executing," he says. "This is the season of discipline."

Arts & Culture

May 2, 2022

The Duke Ellington Orchestra pose for a group shot in 1934 with Duke Ellington in centre, Sonny Greer kneeling left and Freddy Jenkins right then (left to right) (middle) Barney Bigard, Marshall Royal, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney and Wellman Braud, (back) Cootie Williams, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Arthur Whetsol and Fred Guy. (Photo by JP Jazz Archive/Redferns via Getty)

Bob Oakes' playlist of tunes by jazz legend Harry Carney

Listen to the songs featured in our appreciation of Harry Carney's music and artistry on the baritone saxophone.

Arts & Culture

Apr 29, 2022

Saxophonist Harry Carney, who grew up in Boston's South End, performing on stage in England in 1963. (Photo by Express/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

From back door gigs to Duke Ellington's Orchestra, Boston's Harry Carney made the saxophone sing

Carney is revered by many, if not most, baritone saxophone players as the “godfather” of the instrument. He could blow and hold notes on his saxophone like few other players...

Arts & Culture

09:06Apr 29, 2022

Singer Miranda Rae is intent on emerging from her cocoon

The neo-soul artist is coming into her own. “I think sometimes I play it a little safe with my lyrics. But on my next project, I really just want to...

Arts & Culture

07:22Apr 28, 2022

Left to right: punk band Gogol Bordello (Courtesy Daniel Efram); musician Julian Kytasty (Courtesy)

For Ukrainian American artists, music made in the U.S. can benefit a country under attack

Punk band Gogol Bordello and musician Julian Kytasty play drastically different genres of music, but have a common goal: showing the world what is happening in Ukraine and providing aid...

Arts & Culture

Apr 27, 2022

Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of the band Lucius. (Courtesy Max Wagner)

Pop band Lucius heads out on tour with new album 'Second Nature'

The band’s 52-date tour kicks off at MASS MoCA in North Adams on April 28 and Boston’s Roadrunner on April 29.

Arts & Culture

Apr 26, 2022

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A lost spiritual jazz record made in Boston resurfaces

Rapper Millyz is bringing Massachusetts hip-hop to the mainstream with 'Blanco 5'

Boston Calling Music Festival returned with joyful crowds and a few pitfalls

Del Fuegos reunion show at the Roadrunner canceled over insurance

See photos from Boston Calling Music Festival's return

Local band The Chelsea Curve represents retro mod pop at Boston Calling

Pops' Fourth of July spectacular returns to Boston for first time since pandemic began

Musical duo H A U N T E R takes listeners on a beat-laden trip into the mind

Boston Calling organizers are ready for the fans and the festival's return

The Roadrunner celebrates 1980s music venue the Channel with Del Fuegos reunion

5 musical acts to watch at this year's Boston Calling

How her Tiny Desk Contest win returned Alisa Amador to a life in music

Medford bluesman Ryan Lee Crosby captures the moody sounds of Bentonia, Mississippi on new album

Musician Johan Lenox debuts symphonically inspired pop album 'WDYWTBWYGU'

Rapper $ean Wire is stepping out of his comfort zone on 'Reflections'

Bob Oakes' playlist of tunes by jazz legend Harry Carney

From back door gigs to Duke Ellington's Orchestra, Boston's Harry Carney made the saxophone sing

Singer Miranda Rae is intent on emerging from her cocoon

For Ukrainian American artists, music made in the U.S. can benefit a country under attack

Pop band Lucius heads out on tour with new album 'Second Nature'