ONE OF THE most prolific and restlessly creative musicians of the modern era, composer and pianist Bob James was a cornerstone of the “smooth jazz” movement in the late 1970s and into the ‘80s. He’s got a roomful of gold albums and Grammys for his collaborations with the likes of David Sanborn, Earl Klugh, Grover Washington Jr. and the all–star group Fourplay, which he co–founded in 1991 and still records and tours with to this day.

Hard to believe, but Liz Callaway, Broadway and cabaret singing star, used to suffer from crippling shyness and stage fright.

There aren’t many bands, in Savannah, the Lowcountry or otherwise, who can create such a mighty wallop using just three people.

“The road goes on forever,” Gregg Allman sang in one of his most famous songs, the one about evading the soul–snatching midnight rider.

If there’s one thing KidSyc hopes you take away from his music, it’s this: To thine own self be true.

Rock ‘n’ roll anniversaries are like weeds in a garden – every time you look around, another has sprung up. Still, as anniversaries go, this one is important

All I want for Christmas is... a revitalized Coastal Jazz Association. As Savannah jazz legend Teddy Adams prepares for the non–profit organization’s annual holiday concert and all–star jam, he’s making a list and checking it twice. At the very top is an infusion of hot blood for the CJA, which trombonist Adams, bass player Ben Tucker and others put together in the ‘80s. “A few years ago, about 10 years after we started the organization, ...

Mark Johnson is a pioneer among contemporary American banjo players. Unlike his buddy Bela Fleck, whose music came to incorporate diverse elements of jazz, classical and world music, Johnson has always stayed within shouting distance of traditional bluegrass – but there’s an elegant melodicism to his playing, and turns of phrase, rhythm and feeling that invoke the spirit of folk, country and old–time string band music.

In 2010, bassist Stephen Palmer was considering the Savannah music scene. “I thought ‘You know what this town doesn’t have? A straight–up rockabilly band. They seem to like that genre of old Johnny Cash and old Elvis, and things like that.’”

IT CAME FROM THE ROCKIES. It’s loud, and strong, and defiant, and for the last three years it’s been wreaking havoc across America, in nightclubs, dance halls and on festival stages. No one who’s encountered it has been quite the same afterwards. It’s big. It’s gigantic. In point of fact, it’s Big Gigantic, a two–man band from Boulder that’s re–defining how house and electronica can be performed live, with a real, mouth–breathing jazz saxophone weaving ...

Although it's rife with familiar names and faces of musicians who've played here year in past editions, the lineup for the 2012 Savannah Music Festival puts the focus on musical diversity and collaboration. The real gems are between the lines.

From the other end of the line, Keith Miller's voice rumbles like a thunderstorm rolling in from the horizon.

After 26 miles and change, those who've just finished up Saturday's Rock 'N Roll Marathon will doubtless be ready for a celebratory sit-down in Forsyth Park, wherre Carolina Liar and Savannah's own Train Wrecks will be cranking the big finale tunes.

Carolina Liar is in the middle of a cross–country tour with Gavin DeGraw and David Cook. “Literally every other day,” says the band’s singer/songwriter Chad Wolf, “one of the guys from the other bands or the crew will say to me ‘How did this happen, man? How are you hanging out with all these crazy Swedes?’”

She won three Tony Awards before she’d turned 30, and then a few years later scored another one. But Audra McDonald – who also has a pair of Grammys – has a restless nature. She’s not a laurel-rester.