Jazzwise – August 2026

Summary

Sonny Rollins gives his last interview to Jazzwise Issue 320 for August 2026, and the £6.95 cover also runs Maria Schneider "Calling Out The American Crow" and Sullivan Fortner as 2026 Bell Artist.

Issue 320 for August 2026 leads with Sonny Rollins, whose interview sits on page 24 under the cover line "His Last Interview" (the contents page confirms the title; a repeated cover block carries a garbled variant). Maria Schneider opens the features on 20, Deirdre Cartwright follows on 28, Nat Steele on 30, Sullivan Fortner on 34 and Ibrahim Maalouf on 35. Alfred Lion's Blue Note story runs on 15 and jazz on film on 16.

Regulars supply the working listener: News 4-14, Taking Off 18-19, Reviews 36-53, Instrument Reviews 56, The Player 58, Live Reviews 60-61, Gig Guide 62-64 and Letters 66. For a Rollins listener, the interview alone justifies the £6.95.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story
p.24 · Sonny Rollins (last interview)
The contents page lists the Rollins interview under the title "His Last Interview" on page 24; a repeated cover block shows a garbled variant of that title, so the printed title is taken from the contents. The interview runs as the cover subject. Play one Rollins record named in the interview before you read the last question.

▸ Features
p.20 · Maria Schneider
The Maria Schneider feature carries the cover line "Calling Out The American Crow" and covers her work and her argument. It names the ensembles and the recordings behind it. Listen to one Schneider recording named here with the cover line in mind.

p.28 · Deirdre Cartwright
The profile covers Deirdre Cartwright, whose cover line is "Three's Company", naming her playing and her groups. It addresses her place in the British guitar line. Find one Cartwright record named here and hear the trio setting.

p.30 · Nat Steele
The piece covers Nat Steele, naming his instrument and the work he is known for. It sets out his recordings and the players around him. Look up one Nat Steele record named on this page.

p.34 · Sullivan Fortner
The Sullivan Fortner feature carries the cover marking "2026 Bell Artist" and "Swinging Left-field", naming his playing and the recognition. It covers why he got the award. Play one Fortner record named here and judge the left-field label.

▸ Regulars
p.15 · The Producers — The story of Blue Note founder Alfred Lion
The regular runs the Alfred Lion story, naming the Blue Note founder and the label he built. It covers the sessions and the players he recorded. Pull one Blue Note session named here and listen for Lion's hand in it.

p.36-53 · Reviews
The reviews block runs releases across the page range with named records and verdicts. Each entry states what to expect from the disc. Buy one release from this block and compare it to the verdict.

p.62-64 · Gig Guide
The gig guide lists live dates with venues and players named. It covers what is on and where. Pick one date from this guide and go hear it live.

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Editor's Take

The Rollins interview is the whole reason this issue exists and the contents page confirms it on page 24, even though a repeated cover block mangles the title. Maria Schneider on 20 and Sullivan Fortner on 34 both carry real cover lines and real arguments. The weakness is the middle block: Reviews from 36 to 53 runs long, and the Nat Steele and Ibrahim Maalouf pieces are brief beside the cover names. It suits a Rollins and Schneider listener who will read the interviews, not someone skimming for news.

Strengths
• Confirmed Rollins interview on page 24
• Schneider and Fortner carry real arguments
• Alfred Lion piece names Blue Note sessions
• Gig guide lists venues and players

Weaknesses
• Review block from 36 to 53 runs long
• Two features are brief beside cover names

Verdict: Recommended — the Rollins interview earns the £6.95, the review block tests patience.