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Nicole Zuraitis caresses notes, bends them to blue, and keeps it gauzy and breathable: this is the new CD Hive Mind by the New York City songwriter-pianist. Her syncopation sizzles in The Inscription and the keys burn up while getting down to a gritty soul. Her cover of Jolene is astounding, heartbreaking, raw, and like a thousand points of sunlight. On this track, the piano is lovely and brilliant and added to the subtly thumping drums, makes this song a genuine standout.

To consider jazz in a political light even the history behind the term jazzâ itself (debatably pejorative) is, to some, the only true context. This becomes one of many ways in which to regard the 1972 shooting death of trumpet player Lee Morgan by his common-law wife Helen. The factors at play in this on-stage tragedy included love, jealousy and hate; addiction; artistry; and a culture of racial divisiveness.

It's been a long road to finale and we are happy to announce the participants that made it!

Art director, illustrator and author Graham Marsh and author Glyn Callingham collaborated on the 1991 (re-released 2002) Album Cover Art: The Ultimate BLUE NOTE Collection. The authors give a fascinating historical context of the subject, and their detailed descriptions of the design sensibility of the day includes a discussion of advertising graphics (particularly related to fashion), which all serves as the Blue Note’s own liner notes.

Coming from a classical background and hearing Clifford Brown play it emphasized his trumpet brilliance, his technique and his articulation, similar to the study of articulation in classical and I found it fascinating. He set the bar so high. Every day I try to achieve the brilliance of Clifford.