2023 Toyota Tacoma: Versatile Midsize Truck Meets Many Needs

 

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck that comes in two cab body styles: Access and Double. It offers both five- and six-foot bed lengths.

The Tacoma features six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited and TRD Pro.

Under the hood, the Tacoma has a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 159 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. 

There is an optional 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle V-6 engine that makes 278 hp and is linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. 

Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive optional for either powertrain.

The Tacoma is a versatile truck, with the ability to haul a fair amount of cargo without the burden of having a huge vehicle to maneuver in tight spaces. 

Pricing for the Tacoma starts at around $30,000 and ranges to around $51,000. 

If you're in the market for a midsize truck that is versatile and stylish, the Tacoma is a sure bet. 

2023 Infiniti QX50: Luxury Hatchback is a Solid Competitor

 

The 2023 Infiniti QX50 is a compact luxury hatchback with a maximum cargo capacity of 60 cu. ft. with the rear seat folded down.

It is available in five trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Sport, Sensory and Autograph.

Under the hood, the QX50 features a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 268 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable transmission. 

Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional.

Fuel economy for the front-wheel model is an EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg city, 29 highway. The all-wheel model is rated at 22 and 28.

Pricing for the QX50 starts at around $42,000 and ranges to around $58,000.

For a sporty luxury hatchback, the QX50 has a lot to offer motorists.

2023 Nissan Kicks: Sporty Little Hatchback to Kick Around In

 

The 2023 Nissan Kicks is a subcompact hatchback that seats five passengers. Maximum cargo capacity is 32.3 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded down.

The Kicks comes in three trim levels: S, SV and SR.

Under the hood, the Kicks has a standard 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 122 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable transmission.

 Fuel economy for the Kicks is an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city, 36 highway.

The Kicks offers a sporty little riding dynamic, and its design style is hip without being too unusual to turn off folks looking for something not too far off the mainstream. 

Pricing for the Kicks starts at $22,000 and ranges to around $25,000.

If you're in the market for a sporty hatchback, the Nissan Kicks should certainly be high on your list. 

Young Jazz Musicians from USA Tour Europe

 

This summer, Carnegie Hall’s critically acclaimed national youth jazz orchestra New York Orchestra Jazz, led by artistic director/trumpeter Sean Jones, is touring for the sixth year featuring 22 of the most outstanding teen musicians from across the USA. The tour aims to exhibit the legacy and bright future of American jazz. 

The young musicians attended an intensive two-week training residency in New York and a concert at Carnegie Hall in late July, then set off for Europe. This year's ensemble is being joined by Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as special guest as they make their way through six European cities. 

NYO Jazz’s tour stops this summer include return visits to the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Young Euro Classic festival at the Konzerthaus Berlin, where the ensemble played to sold-out houses and received standing ovations and rave reviews in its 2018 inaugural European tour. The band is making debut performances at the Festival da Jazz in St. Moritz, the BBC Proms in London, the Rheingau Musik Festival in Wiesbaden and the Lucerne Festival. 

For NYO Jazz’s 2023 concerts, Carnegie Hall has commissioned a new work by Sean Jones. Titled “The 29ers,” the new piece is inspired by jazz figures born on the 29th day of a given month, from Duke Ellington to Wycliffe Gordon (who wrote “We’re Still Here,” the unofficial NYO Jazz theme song) to Jones himself. NYO Jazz’s diverse program will also include two arrangements from Terri Lyne Carrington’s project “New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers”—Carla Bley’s “Lawns” and Noriko Ueda’s “Uneven Pieces,” as well as big band gems by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Hargrove and contemporary pieces that explore jazz’s influence on hip-hop, R&B and pop.

NYO Jazz’s touring activities have been designed to allow America’s finest young musicians to share their artistry with international audiences while also experiencing the richness of other cultures and music. As part of their travel schedule, NYO Jazz players will have the exciting opportunity to tour the cities in which they will be performing as well as continue the cultural exchange and peer-to-peer activities that have become a hallmark of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles.

Click here to watch a special video about the tenth anniversary of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles.

London and Vicinity: One of the World's Foremost Cities and Quaint Surrounding English Countryside Areas

 

AAE recently visited the UK and London and surrounding areas. London is a modern city and one of the world's financial capitals that has history dating back to Roman eras. 

Our accommodations were in a town about 23 miles south of London called Lingfield. It is in the Tandridge district of Surrey, England. It features buildings that date from the Tudor period and is set amid a lush countryside. 

The resort we stayed at was at Lingfield Park, which is an equestrian racing venue that also offers golfing. The beautiful greenery and fresh, clean air made for a perfectly relaxing setting. 

Whilst on our stay in England, we were able to take in an amazing concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, one of the world's foremost performance venues. The show was broadcast live on BBC TV and radio as part of its Proms series of performances and featured Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra Jazz ensemble, led by artistic director and trumpeter Sean Jones. The ensemble consists of 22 of the most outstanding teenage musicians from across the USA. On this European tour, the group is joined by Grammy Award-winning vocalist and composer Dee Dee Bridgewater. 

For more information about the tour, click here.

Amsterdam: Diverse, Cosmopolitan European City has Much to Offer Visitors

AAE recently visited Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe's most popular tourist cities. The city has a rich architectural quality, many canals with more than 1,500 bridges and a museum district that includes the Van Gogh Museum and showcases of work by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The city is very bicycle friendly, with safe, dedicated paths running seemingly throughout the city. The diverse, cosmopolitan city has a friendly and fun vibe. 

We got a chance to take in an amazing show at the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, one of the world's renown music halls. Performing was Carnegie Hall's New York Orchestra Jazz ensemble, led by artistic director and trumpeter Sean Jones. The ensemble consists of 22 of the most outstanding teenage musicians from across the USA. On this European tour, the group is joined by Grammy Award-winning vocalist and composer Dee Dee Bridgewater.

For more information about the tour, click here.

This is the historic atrium of the Amsterdam concert hall, which incorporates the old facade of the building and this decorative chandelier.