Featuring Dan Farrow on the cover, a new column by Bunny Brunel, a tribute to Roy Ayers, and the muse behind the periodical—Kaylene Peoples.
(PRUnderground) May 2nd, 2025
KL Publishing Group announces the launch of Jazz Influencers, a bold new print and digital magazine reimagining how jazz is written about, championed, and passed on. Jazz Influencers is the brainchild of Kaylene Peoples, a true Renaissance woman whose work as a composer, jazz artist, and publisher reflects her deep commitment to creative excellence and cultural advocacy. The magazine serves as both blueprint and spotlight—bridging heritage and innovation through sharp editorial, iconic storytelling, and real-world resources for today’s working artists.
The debut issue is headlined by Grammy-winning fusion keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Dan Farrow, whose cover story charts his journey from Zurich’s underground clubs to the global stage. Known for his mastery of the Hammond B3, Moog, and Fender Rhodes, Farrow shares insights on tone, legacy, and breaking genre walls. “I’m not trying to impress—I’m trying to express. That’s always been the point,” he says in his exclusive interview.
Jazz Influencers Issue 1 opens with a feature on Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, while celebrating next-gen voices such as Jihye Lee, Laufey, Emmet Cohen, and Charles Cornell. With profiles, CD reviews, gear rundowns, touring advice, and visually stunning layouts, the magazine offers a balance of cultural commentary and real-world tools for today’s jazz creators.
Debuting in this issue is Low End Logic, a hard-hitting column by jazz bass legend Bunny Brunel, offering hands-on guidance on tone, technique, and truth in performance. “You don’t find your sound—you build it,” writes Brunel. “Stop obsessing over gear and start listening to your fingers.”
Also in this issue: Caught in Jazz at the Grammys . . .
A revealing look at the artists reshaping jazz’s visibility on the national stage. The feature spotlights Samara Joy’s rising star power, including Chick Corea’s lasting influence with the collaboration with Béla Fleck’s genre-defying brilliance, and Laufey, whose Grammy win for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album signals a shift in how young audiences connect with jazz-rooted sound.
Jazz Influencers bridges generations and genres. This premiere issue features:
- Roy Ayers: The Road Between the Grooves — a powerful tribute to the jazz-funk trailblazer’s legacy on tour
- Women in Jazz: The Ongoing Struggle — spotlighting Diana Krall, Betty Carter, Sandra Booker, and Astrud Gilberto
“I figured the only way to make it was to do it myself.” — Diana Krall
- Caught in Jazz at the Grammys — inside stories on Samara Joy, Chick Corea, and the evolving visibility of jazz on national stages
- Play. Drive. Sleep. Repeat. Jazz. — a survival guide for indie touring artists navigating gear, costs, burnout, and venue politics
“One of the biggest mistakes new artists make is playing ticket-driven venues their first time out,” says Kaylene Peoples. “You can’t build a real audience by only selling to your friends.”
The issue also includes The Jazz Cat’s Gear Guide: Must-Have Tools for the Modern Improviser, a curated selection of pro mics, guitars, and processors field-tested by today’s most creative players. In Styled to Play, Peoples draws from her dual background in performance and fashion editorial to explore how stagewear impacts musical presence.
Under its CD/Album Reviews section, the issue spotlights two dynamic entries:
“Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday”, celebrating the rising star’s gospel roots and vocal finesse; and “MYT: A Fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Electronic Sounds,” a bold introduction to the Moses Yoofee Trio’s genre-bending debut.
Availability:
Jazz Influencers, Issue 1 is available now in print and digital editions, including on Amazon in the U.S. and select countries. Visit jazzinfluencers.com or contact editorial@jazzinfluencers.com for interviews, features, or contributor inquiries.
About Jazz Influencers Magazine
Jazz Influencers is a print and digital magazine redefining how jazz is written about, celebrated, and passed on. Founded by composer, publisher, and jazz artist Kaylene Peoples, the magazine bridges eras and aesthetics—spotlighting iconic trailblazers and rising talent alike. With exclusive interviews, gear reviews, touring strategy, fashion insights, and original editorial from world-class contributors, Jazz Influencers serves as both a cultural lens and a creative roadmap for today’s working artists. Each issue offers sharp storytelling, curated visuals, and a commitment to empowering the voices shaping the future of jazz.
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Original Press Release.