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Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson, known by his mononym Prince, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor, and has been a major figure in popular music for over three decades. Prince is renowned as an innovator and is widely known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, and wide vocal range. He is widely regarded as the pioneer of Minneapolis sound. His music combines rock, R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, disco, psychedelia, jazz, and pop.

Prince was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and developed an interest in music at an early age, writing his first song at age seven. After recording songs with his cousin's band 94 East, 19-year-old Prince recorded several unsuccessful demo tapes before releasing his debut album For You in 1978, under the guidance of manager Owen Husney. His 1979 album Prince went platinum due to the success of the singles "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover". His next three records—Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982)—continued his success, showcasing Prince's trademark of prominently sexual lyrics and incorporation of elements of funk, dance, and rock music. In 1984, he began referring to his backup band as The Revolution and released Purple Rain, which served as the soundtrack to his film debut of the same name. A prolific songwriter, Prince in the 1980s wrote songs for and produced work by many other acts, often under pseudonyms.

After releasing the albums Around the World in a Day (1985) and Parade (1986), The Revolution disbanded and Prince released the critically acclaimed double album Sign "O" the Times (1987) as a solo artist. He released three more solo albums before debuting The New Power Generation band in 1991. He changed his stage name in 1993 to an unpronounceable symbol, also known as the "Love Symbol". He then began releasing new albums at a faster pace to remove himself from contractual obligations to Warner Bros.; he released five records between 1994 and 1996 before signing with Arista Records in 1998. In 2000, he began referring to himself as "Prince" again. He has released 15 albums since then, including his latest, HITnRUN Phase One, which was first released exclusively on the Tidal streaming service on September 7, 2015 before being released on CD on September 15, 2015 by NPG Records.

Prince has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility.

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Rediscovery

A Sonic Compass: A Journey Through Prince's N·E·W·S

Read "A Sonic Compass: A Journey Through Prince's N·E·W·S" reviewed by Giulia Bianchi


It is indisputable that musician, composer, singer, actor, and producer Prince Rogers Nelson has been one of the most prolific and committed musical artists of all time. With an enduring career spanning over five decades, the virtuoso mastered a plethora of instruments, perpetually exploring and trailblazing new creative horizons. His music is steeped in a timeless fusion of musical genres which is the trademark of his unique and abiding spirit. 2003: The Year of Instrumental Releases A curious ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 2

Read "Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 2" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


This week we look into both the jazz side of Prince, including the unexpressed potentials of his collaboration with Miles Davis, and covers of his music by notable jazz players, from Nina Simone to Joshua Redman. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Nina Simone “Sign 'O' the Times (Outtake)" A Single Woman (Expanded Version) (Rhino/Elektra) 0:16 Host talks 5:50 Malcolm Braff “Sexy M.F." Inside (Enja) 7:00 Host ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 1

Read "Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 1" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Prince who would have turned 65 this year. He may have left us over seven years ago, but the influence of his music continues unequalled, including on the world of jazz, with which he's often flirted. Here a selection of some intriguing examples of “purple jazz," including some extended jamming by Prince himself. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)"0:00 Helen Sung “Alphabet Street" Helenistique (Fresh Sound/New Talent) 0:16 ...

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Book Review

Prince: Let’s Go Crazy (Prince and the Making of Purple Rain)

Read "Prince: Let’s Go Crazy (Prince and the Making of Purple Rain)" reviewed by Nenad Georgievski


Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain Alan Light 304 pages ISBN: 1476776725 Atria Books 2014 Musician Prince is one of the enduring enigmas of today's pop music. Throughout the years this eclectic, mercurial and prolific genius has dazzled, enraged and confused audiences and music critics alike both with his anarchic approach to music making, writing songs that oozed with sexuality, keeping the temperature rising with explicit shows, which ...

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Interview

Kind of Purple: Jazz Musicians On Prince

Read "Kind of Purple: Jazz Musicians On Prince" reviewed by Kurt Gottschalk


"Do you know who Prince kinda reminds me of, particularly as a pianist? Duke! Yeah, he's the Duke Ellington of the eighties to my way of thinking."--Miles Davis The tops of the pop charts isn't where we often expect to find genius. Brilliant performers sometimes, expert attention grabbers maybe more often, but it's not generally where ground is broken. Prince may not have topped the singles charts in some time, but then the charts aren't what ...

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Live Review

Prince at Mohegan Sun Arena

Read "Prince at Mohegan Sun Arena" reviewed by Scott H. Thompson


Prince Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, CT December 29, 2013 I don't know where he finds 'em... but Prince has put together an incredible 20-piece band fronted by the female power trio of 3rd Eye Girl. He tore the roof off of Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena during a 3-night run December 27-29, 2013. At the end of the jam, there were about 12 horn players onstage with a rhythm section, backup singers and ...

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2

Festival

Princeton University Jazz Festival 2023 Features Artemis, Rudresh Mahanthappa And Bird Calls, and Rufus Reid on April 15

Princeton University Jazz Festival 2023 Features Artemis, Rudresh Mahanthappa And Bird Calls, and Rufus Reid on April 15

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, presents the annual Princeton University Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 15. The festival features Artemis, Jazz at Princeton’s chair Rudresh Mahanthappa and his Bird Calls ensemble, jazz greats playing with Princeton’s exceptional student groups, and the legendary Rufus Reid with the Creative Large Ensemble. Free daytime performances, to be held outdoors on Richardson Lawn in front of Princeton’s Richardson Auditorium, begin at noon. A ticketed event with the Creative Large ...

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Recording

Saxophonist Aaron Liddard (Prince, Amy Winehouse & Maceo Parker) releases 'Nylon Man' on October 7, 2022

Saxophonist Aaron Liddard  (Prince, Amy Winehouse & Maceo Parker) releases 'Nylon Man' on October 7, 2022

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

October 7, 2022 Release Date: Nylon Man Nylon Man is the new album by saxophonist-keyboardist-arranger-composer Aaron Liddard, released on 7th October on the British independent label Havis House. Featuring a plethora of guest contributions from the likes of Carleen Anderson, Omar Puente and Miss Baby Sol, Nylon Man is 12 tracks of jazz by a UK-based artist, influenced by music of Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean and Africa. In his prolific and wide-ranging career, saxophonist-keyboardist-arranger-composer Aaron Liddard has ...

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Performance / Tour

Princeton University Jazz Festival Set for April 27-30, 2022

Princeton University Jazz Festival Set for April 27-30, 2022

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, announces the return of the Princeton University Jazz Festival. Presented in conjunction with Jazz Appreciation Month, the event, which takes place Wednesday, April 27 – Saturday, April 30, features guest artists guitarist Gilad Hekselman, and saxophonists Seamus Blake, Tony Malaby and Alexa Tarantino performing with Princeton University’s stellar student ensembles. Wednesday, April 27 Jazz Vocal Collective Directed by Trineice Robinson-Martin. The JVC is a small jazz ensemble highlighting solo voices ...

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Recording

Hear Adam McIntyre's Tribute To Prince, Miles Davis; Thirteen-Minute "Voodoo" Taken From Atlanta Guitarist's Third Album Recorded During Pandemic

Hear Adam McIntyre's Tribute To Prince, Miles Davis; Thirteen-Minute "Voodoo" Taken From Atlanta Guitarist's Third Album Recorded During Pandemic

Source: Fanatic Promotion

Blues guitarist Adam McIntyre first started jumping on stages at just fourteen-years-old and is now best known as the front man for Atlanta-based rockers The Pinx. During the pandemic, McIntyre has created a trilogy of solo albums, the third of which, Black Planet, a tribute to Prince and Miles Davis, will be released on Sept. 18th. The thirteen-minute album closer “Voodoo" premieres today. Scroll down to listen. Adam McIntyre discusses his three-album pandemic trilogy: “I slept in the first morning ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz At Princeton University Presents Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire In World Premiere On Saturday, Nov. 17

Jazz At Princeton University Presents Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire In World Premiere On Saturday, Nov. 17

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Jazz at Princeton University presents guest artist and Blue Note Records trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire in the world premiere of Slightly Left of Sorrow's Song, commissioned by Jazz at Princeton University to commemorate the 150th anniversary of W.E.B. DuBois' birth. Akinmusire will perform the 8-movement suite with the school's Small Group I under the leadership of saxophonist and program director Rudresh Mahanthappa. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall. Tickets are ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz At Princeton University Announces Dynamic 2018-2019 Season November 14, 2018 – May 11, 2019

Jazz At Princeton University Announces Dynamic 2018-2019 Season  November 14, 2018 – May 11, 2019

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, presents a dynamic and compelling 2018-2019 Season, November 14, 2018 – May 11, 2019. Highlights include performances by student groups joined by guest artists including Blue Note Records trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, legendary vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and Grammy winner and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. In April, Jazz at Princeton will present Princeton University’s first-ever outdoor Jazz Festival. “This year’s Jazz at Princeton program is going to be extraordinary,” says Mahanthappa. “With ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz At Princeton University Announces Broad And Dynamic 2017-2018 Season: October 14, 2017 – May 12, 2018

Jazz At Princeton University Announces Broad And Dynamic 2017-2018 Season:  October 14, 2017 – May 12, 2018

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, presents a rich and varied 2017-2018 season, October 14, 2017 – May 12, 2018. Highlights include performances by student groups joined by guest artists including celebrated pianist Gerald Clayton, renowned vocalist Theo Bleckmann, saxophone legend Archie Shepp with Amina Claudine Myers, and venerable Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez. “I am thrilled to build upon what we started last year in presenting the myriad voices that make up this living art form ...

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Music Industry

Lessons From Prince And His Struggles With Digital Music

Lessons From Prince And His Struggles With Digital Music

Source: HypeBot

In addition to his legacy as an artist and performer, Prince also had, throughout his career, a complex relationship with the world of digital music distribution, and while he certainly tried many different tactics when it came to making his music available to the public, it's unclear just how successful he was. Guest Post by Zach Graves on Techdirt Undeniably, Prince’s death last week marked the loss of a true musical genius and maverick. In his life, he was known for being ...

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Music Industry

Prince, An Artist Who Controlled Every Aspect Of His Music And Career, LEFT NO WILL

Prince, An Artist Who Controlled Every Aspect Of His Music And Career, LEFT NO WILL

Source: HypeBot

Prince famously controlled of every aspect of his music and career. But his legacy may be left to warring relatives and the courts.  That's the almost inevitable result of news that broke yesterday: Prince left no will.  Prince's sister Tyka Nelson has filed documents in probate court indicating that she believes the singer did not leave a will and requesting that the court appoint a special administrator for the estate. According to The Los Angeles Times, Nelson said her brother left ...

Trends

Prince Fans Pay Tribute, Buying 1 Million Tracks, 240000 Albums In U.S. On Day Of His Death

Prince Fans Pay Tribute, Buying 1 Million Tracks, 240000 Albums In U.S. On Day Of His Death

Source: HypeBot

U.S. fans paid tribute to Prince by purchasing an unprecedented number of his albums and songs on the day of his untimely death. 230,000 albums and 1 million tracks. The breakdown: Prince Album Sales: Total Prince Album Sales from April 15, 2016 through April 20, 2016: 4,263 Total Prince Album Sales on April 21: 231,834 Top 5 Selling Prince Albums on April 21, 2016:TitleAlbum SalesThe Very Best Of Prince94,621Purple Rain55,306The Hits/The B-Sides22,345199911,640Ultimate Prince8,985  Prince Song Sales: Total Prince Song Sales ...

China Moses
vocals
Laurent Doumont
saxophone
Roz Harding
saxophone, alto
Lil' Maceo
saxophone
Roz
saxophone, alto
Happiefingerz
multi-instrumentalist
DarLuz the DJ
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ML Caldwell
keyboards
Anna Iachino
poet / spoken word

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