The nation seems to be divided by citizens who long to return to “the good old days” and people eager to accelerate ongoing change. Accordingly, nostalgic recreations of sounds of the past often seem fraught with associated social tension. Yet the atmosphere of Jumpin’ on Grand: Live at Black Dolphin, an Alex Abramovitz album released in May, is lively enough to eradicate political divisions for its fifty-minute duration. Joined by saxophonist Jacob Schwartzberg, trombonist Asa Martin, pianist Drew Madden, bassist Jeff Schwartz and drummer Kenneth E. Davis, trumpeter, vocalist and emcee Abramovitz effectively reconstructs the atmosphere of a 1940s radio broadcast during the session recorded at Black Dolphin on October 18, 2025. Listeners of every persuasion may be won over by the peppy spunk of Abramovitz’s good-time jazz.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Hermon Mehari is among the musicians featured in a series of France tv culture performance videos acknowledging the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis’ birth.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Alex Abramovitz and Back Alley Brass Band’s Matt Fillingham.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image of the Stan Douglas: Metronome exhibition at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art by Plastic Sax.
*Alex Abramovitz and His Swingin’ Kansas City Jazz Band was featured on Kansas Public Radio’s Live at Green Lady Lounge program last week.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Sebastian Arias.
Now’s the Time: Alex Abramovitz
The trad-jazz band led by Alex Abramovitz performs at Thompson Park near downtown Overland Park on Thursday, August 7. Lester Estelle Sr. opens the concert. Details are available here.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Alex Abramovitz’s band is featured in the latest episode of Kansas Public Radio’s Live at Green Lady Lounge program.
*A television news broadcast touts the construction of a parking garage in the Jazz District.