tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165644502011-10-20T03:37:22.328-07:00Jazz music, news and viewsKellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.comBlogger1781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-88272871577201976932009-01-29T01:06:00.000-08:002009-01-29T01:07:04.039-08:00

The first time I saw this Dolce & Gabbana commercial, I only heard the last few seconds. I thought, "Hmm, a big band. And Gisele. OK, cool."Some time later, Scott asked me if I'd seen "that commercial with that model with Mingus's 'Moanin'' as the music."I finally saw the whole thing and nearly fell out of my chair. Damn, that's cool. Some may object to the use of jazz to sell a designer

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-8989829109042832902009-01-01T00:50:00.000-08:002009-01-29T01:09:51.679-08:00

If I had to name just one album from this past year that I'd consider essential listening, this would likely be it. Invisible Cinema is a beautiful representation of Aaron Parks's talents both as a composer and pianist. I noted in an earlier gig review that his most laudable trait isn't just his technique but also the wisdom to know precisely when to withhold and unleash it. This album has an

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-4037843397574200232008-12-18T00:02:00.000-08:002009-01-29T01:09:31.883-08:00

Like so many others, I pull out A Charlie Brown Christmas each holiday season. As a jazz fan, I'm usually ambivalent about the music I hear this time of year. On one hand, it's good to have jazz in people's ears. On the other, it reinforces the mainstream view of jazz as background music.But how can someone feel bitter about music during the holidays? In spite of myself, I'll lean towards

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-72703314618024900512008-12-02T02:19:00.000-08:002008-12-02T02:46:19.739-08:00

The following items were gathered fairly randomly, but they all seem to illustrate jazz quietly and marginally entering the mainstream, which I thought was happening less and less these days:>> The December '08 issue of Blender has several year-end lists of recommended songs to download. (I don't regularly read this magazine. It's my roommate's, I swear.) For whatever reason, a jazz list is

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-16693647176453267942008-11-21T02:49:00.000-08:002009-01-01T01:07:22.104-08:00

Well, here's a post that's long overdue. A lot's happened for Miguel Zenón since the April release of his album, Awake. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for Music Composition that same month, he was featured in June's issue of Downbeat, and he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in September. That's a lot of media attention, and I believe his work will live up to (and outlive) the hype. I'd

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-31182410764780441152008-10-24T09:11:00.000-07:002008-10-24T09:26:28.668-07:00

Pianist Aaron Parks's group hit the Jazz Bakery this past Tuesday in support of his new album Invisible Cinema, and they brought a crafty blend of jazz, classical, and indie rock atmosphere. Marcus Gilmore kept the quartet moving with some trashy, sure-footed backbeats on the groovier numbers. I'm used to hearing him in funkier settings (his work on Christian Scott's Anthem, also with Parks, and

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-72749865811401462252008-10-20T03:20:00.000-07:002008-10-21T00:48:01.230-07:00

It's a good week to be a modern jazz fan in LA. I'll be out and about more than I usually am, and if you're in the area, you should too for the following reasons:Tues., 10.21: Aaron Parks Quartet with Mike Moreno @ the Jazz BakeryI've mentioned both of these guys on this blog a few times. It'll be great to see that level of melodic guitar technique from Mike again. Aaron first floored me when I

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-34771491221209432632008-10-08T00:50:00.000-07:002008-10-08T01:09:58.832-07:00

While getting lost in YouTube, I came across a very cool taping of an Italian quintet gig. I'd heard of the saxophonist Gaetano Partipilo before (he's played with Mike Moreno), but the other names were new to me.Partipilo has a lot of clear, fresh ideas here -- logical and accessible but also lively and new. What struck me most immediately, though, was guitarist Alberto Parmegiani. I'm hearing

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-55642970516053727022008-09-23T08:56:00.000-07:002008-10-20T08:53:03.778-07:00

He's known as a terrifying virtuoso, but his music has been as much about tones, colors, and aesthetics as it's been about technique. Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett is well known as an alumnus of Miles Davis's final band (he shared the stage with Davis from 1987 until his death in '91), but he's cut his own visionary path across the jazz landscape since then. His newest album, Sketches of MD, was

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-50585280368463108712008-08-09T00:30:00.000-07:002008-08-09T15:06:03.338-07:00

I was reading on Downbeast that Nels Cline is taking part in a tribute concert in New York in September celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fender Jazzmaster. Nels is the first artist that comes to mind when I think of the Jazzmaster, although Tom Verlaine, Thurston Moore (check the gear list), and J. Mascis (who has a signature model) certainly helped make it an icon(oclast)ic axe in the

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-74190101067376050282008-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:002008-10-20T09:14:15.850-07:00

I'm glad to see guitarist Mike Moreno is finally getting some presence on YouTube. He's been around too long -- and is too good -- to have so little "new media" attention. His graceful technique and enchanting, crystalline tone are truly tasteful, and his solos are always well structured. Perhaps because of his gorgeous, atmospheric sound, critics and fans tend to mention his name somewhere near

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-83760114079604839722008-06-30T09:10:00.000-07:002008-09-14T22:48:37.755-07:00

Last Thursday, I walked a few blocks down to the Palmer Room for the CD release party of violinist Jeff Gauthier's latest album, House of Return. The founder and owner of Cryptogramophone Records was flanked by his longtime colleagues pianist David Witham, bassist Joel Hamilton, and drummer Alex Cline. Guitarist Nels Cline, Alex's twin brother and the fifth member of the Goatette, was absent from

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-72809293879220662262008-06-20T09:10:00.000-07:002008-06-20T12:36:07.006-07:00

Man, another two months and no blogging. My apologies to the small handful of probably-now-infrequent SWO readers. A new day job and moving into a new apartment in, essentially, a new city (though still LA) have waylaid what I had intended to be my blogging schedule. I know, of course, you have plenty of other places to hear great tunes and read interesting opinions. Since you're reading this,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-67862173142767778052008-04-22T07:22:00.000-07:002008-06-22T02:36:32.254-07:00

Multi-instrumentalist Bennie Maupin is known mostly for his work with Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, and especially Miles Davis (Bitches Brew, Big Fun, On the Corner) and Herbie Hancock (his Mwandishi and Headhunters bands). Great credentials, to be sure, but his own musical creations are just as visionary. He's an admirably tasteful player who truly speaks through his horn; his tenor

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-35120104816309298652008-03-20T06:50:00.000-07:002008-06-22T02:35:54.579-07:00

I rarely dig this far back into my past when blogging, but for the sake of background, I'll be revealing a bit about my teenage years in Sacramento, CA. I was studying drums formally and performing regularly with some friends from another high school in a local alt-rock outfit called Harper. Our influences were very '90s: Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, etc.

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-19686106749784175962008-03-03T05:09:00.001-08:002008-04-22T04:32:52.898-07:00

No doubt you've seen the round of obits of producer Teo Macero (NY Times, LA Times, Pitchfork). Some might say Teo wouldn't be remembered as easily if not for his presence on Miles Davis's best-known albums, but many more would say that's a vast underestimation of his influence. His legacy is indeed closely linked to Miles's and we might not be as ready to give a producer the same credit and

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-56525336316430272982008-02-20T07:12:00.000-08:002008-03-20T06:49:50.502-07:00

Saxophonist Ron Blake's deep, brawny tenor sound might bring to mind Johnny Griffin, Stanley Turrentine, or a bit of Sonny Rollins, but he speaks a more contemporary language with his own voice. His discography certainly reveals as much, bearing the names of young lions like Roy Hargrove, Marc Cary, and Stephen Scott, as well as veterans like Benny Golson, Art Farmer, and Jimmy Smith. He also has

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-47384962818911473822008-02-04T10:08:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:08:42.195-08:00

You'd think the new year would prompt me to resolve to update more, but given my recent schedule, I can only ease into it for now. There will be some new music in the coming weeks, but for now, a few videos that I've found in my limited free time:Wayne Krantz: "Afkap." This tune has plenty of vibe and a fair degree of chops but Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre are the ones who really get to lay

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-15944176355656826172007-12-21T00:22:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:10:41.794-08:00

Maybe it's because it's only rotation for a small part of the year, but the soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" never loses its charm to me. The theme to "Linus and Lucy" or the Peanuts characters singing "Christmas Time Is Here" are probably the most recognizable tunes, but I'm partial to the vampy goodness of another Vince Guaraldi original, "Christmas Is Coming."A Charlie Brown Christmas

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-49617395810586767102007-12-18T12:25:00.000-08:002008-02-05T17:16:48.706-08:00

As you've probably read in a handful of other places, saxophonist Frank Morgan died of kidney failure this past Friday morning, December 14th. He'd been diagnosed with colon cancer after a recent European tour, which he completed in spite of earlier concerns about his health. And, in a way, this triumph mirrors his many other life accomplishments in the face of adversity. His heroin habit and

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-67962906394392688672007-12-14T19:12:00.000-08:002007-12-16T07:05:52.556-08:00

In this month's issue of Downbeat, I noticed a call for participants in a study conducted by my alma mater. They're looking for musicians (amateur or professional) to take a brief survey "regarding the unique challenges that musicians face." When taking the survey, you'll notice that, in addition to the inquiries about your background, many of the questions or scenarios focus on stress, health,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-15128429968560857952007-12-04T02:29:00.000-08:002007-12-12T17:26:50.719-08:00

Many wouldn't consider Portland, Oregon to be a jazz mecca, per se, but there's enough demand there to keep guitarist Dan Balmer busy and then some. In addition to his position on the music faculty of Lewis and Clark College, he holds court regularly at Jimmy Mak's with his own group and with veteran drummer Mel Brown's various bands-in-residence. His performance credits reveal he's shared stages

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-54237168445773297282007-11-17T11:57:00.000-08:002007-11-17T12:04:38.511-08:00

I recently received a CD compilation of my alma mater's 60-Second Lecture Series and found a morsel-size musing from Dr. David Grazian, an associate professor of Sociology. His years at the University of Chicago no doubt inspired further explorations of Chicago blues published in Blue Chicago: The Search for Authenticity in Urban Blues Clubs.Listen: Dr. David Grazian: "The Difference Between

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1417858986957418862007-11-15T02:43:00.000-08:002007-11-15T02:48:31.465-08:00

This is one of the funnier articles I've seen recently!:Overfunded Public School Forced To Add Jazz Band.

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-25252179681114219492007-11-13T01:30:00.000-08:002007-11-18T17:24:13.326-08:00

Coincidentally, one of my current projects that's made neglect this blog is programming for Slacker Radio.Slacker is a new personal internet radio service programmed by professional DJs and customized by the listener. Each station, divided by genre or sub-genre, can be customized by the listener who can skip, "favorite," or ban tracks and artists. You can also "build" your own stations around

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-29430334978728628232007-11-03T20:09:00.000-07:002008-04-22T07:21:42.023-07:00

I've found that when the chips are down and I have to cut things out of my routine, my blogging tends to suffer, so I apologize for the overly long absence. I'll be mentioning what's been occupying so much of my time soon, but here are some tidbits that have been floating around in my head recently:Downbeast has chronicled some of Bennie Maupin's recording session in Poland. Read about it in four

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-23155423705389887362007-09-21T06:43:00.001-07:002007-09-21T06:52:25.083-07:00

It's like Zorn for the kids (via Wayward Blog). I didn't know that KC had this much skronk!The visuals are sort of strange in this video, but it's the same band (with adult instruments this time).

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-3368003553932913012007-09-17T05:00:00.000-07:002007-11-15T02:49:24.504-08:00

Since his studies with Jaki Byard at the New England Conservatory of Music (graduating in 1980) and Alan Broadbent in Los Angeles, keyboardist David Witham has earned a reputation an artful accompanist, creative composer, and superior sound painter -- and musicians, at least, have taken note. To say nothing of his position as George Benson's musical director since 1990, his versatile talents have

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-65813407139761763232007-09-11T05:30:00.000-07:002007-09-11T05:44:30.982-07:00

Required listening: Head over to guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg's MySpace to hear the title track from his forthcoming album, South of Everywhere. It has everything fans of modern jazz guitar heroes could want: eerie effects, bright energy, jazz-rock headiness, rich colors, and long, labyrinthine lines. I vividly remember this tune from one of his West Coast performances earlier this year. And if

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-40919986276249028802007-08-24T04:14:00.000-07:002007-09-24T11:12:44.852-07:00

One would be hard-pressed to name a drummer more innovative, prolific and respected than Max Roach, who passed away on August 16, 2007 at 83 years old. After the outpouring of appreciations, obituaries and remembrances out there (see below), there isn't much left for me to offer. My tardiness also makes me redundant. But being a lapsed drummer myself, I can't hold back from throwing my thoughts

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-38601216884426473842007-08-13T05:31:00.000-07:002007-08-13T06:53:12.713-07:00

A series of events unexpectedly sidelined me from blogging these past couple weeks, including a deadline for an upcoming project (more on that later), helping a friend move, and a trip to Kansas City.The former two weren't terribly photo-worthy opportunities, but I snapped a few pics during my stay in KC. Levi, an old high school friend and bandmate from my days as a rock drummer, put me up (i.e.

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-35783177216501214892007-07-27T10:54:00.000-07:002007-08-13T05:31:14.751-07:00

Trumpeter Avishai Cohen's newest release, After the Big Rain, artfully unites the sonic worlds of modern jazz, electronic, funk and "world." That last term is generally considered an undesirable, reductive catch-all, but there are few economic ways to describe Cohen's globally inclusive approach. The Tel Aviv trumpeter (no relation to the bassist by the same name) is prized as a sideman (I'd

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-71090841005838260952007-07-19T07:50:00.000-07:002007-08-13T05:30:48.172-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, I had to call my internet service to get my wireless up and running again. The automated voice said I'd be on hold for six minutes, which of course made me groan. As it turned out, though, those six minutes featured the coolest "on-hold" music I've ever heard.

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-45411205540753620682007-07-14T19:45:00.000-07:002007-07-15T15:59:49.144-07:00

During a brief visit to my hometown, I dropped by the new R5 Records, a reincarnation of the recently dissolved Tower. Much is being made of founder Russ Solomon's stalwart brick-and-mortar mindset in the digital age, but I think it's too easy to view it as simply quixotic. There are plenty of people who prefer buying CDs in a record store, and it sounds like Solomon's focus is serving them, not

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-75780736587629294372007-07-09T04:35:00.000-07:002007-07-09T06:26:29.598-07:00

While transcribing an interview I did with Aaron Goldberg, I noticed we'd talked quite a bit about his sideman experiences with Joshua Redman, Wynton Marsalis, Mark Turner and Kurt Rosenwinkel. I'd foolishly forgotten, however, to get his thoughts about playing with John Ellis on the record. At the time of the interview, I'd only just heard Ellis's By a Thread. Recently, I've been diving back

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-5202670166607268652007-06-28T17:17:00.001-07:002007-06-28T17:17:52.023-07:00

David Binney/Edward Simon: OceanosJohn Coltrane: CrescentFrancis Dunnery: ManStan Getz: FocusHum: You'd Prefer an AstronautAhmad Jamal: CrystalKeith Jarrett: The Koln ConcertPat Martino: Baiyina (The Clear Evidence)Kendrick Scott: The SourceKenny Werner: Beat Degeneration

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-65777046977237257162007-06-22T06:06:00.000-07:002007-07-09T04:05:27.272-07:00

Although he's probably best known for his longtime sideman associations with sax icons Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis, pianist Joey Calderazzo's career as a leader demonstrates his sensitivity, power, and conception. He's played vastly different styles with as much authority as flair, and with increasing clarity over the years. Haiku from 2004 was his first solo album, and there's even

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-28957832722572046492007-06-14T20:30:00.000-07:002007-06-28T17:19:40.004-07:00

Though some consider it a cliche, there's more than enough truth to the idea that jazz is a model for democracy, and drummer Vinson Valega wants to see that concept in action. The mission of his company, Consilience Productions, is to promote "progressive music for the socially curious." With his third release, Awake, he continues to explore these ideas –- and create some incredibly tuneful music

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-48277972247395112012007-06-08T09:03:00.000-07:002007-06-22T05:25:46.369-07:00

The recent Destination: Out poll made me nostalgic and sent me searching through my non-jazz albums of the era. Not having listened to much jazz until high school, most of my exposure to that decade occurred when it was nearly done. (And, like many jazz fans my age, I often feel like I'm playing catch-up with artists that surfaced any earlier than the last five years.)Most of the other bloggers

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-76783150254235058422007-05-26T03:44:00.000-07:002007-06-22T05:25:17.359-07:00

Percussionist Richie Barshay has a lot of experience for his 23 years -- and a lot of different colors on his sonic palette. He's a funky trap drummer and fluent all-around percussionist, employing tabla, cajon, congas, bells, etc. into his performances with a handful of diverse talents. He's worked with vocalist Sofia Koutsovitis, the Klezmatics, and an Afro-Caribbean group sponsored by the US

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-40462986351713262322007-05-26T02:38:00.000-07:002007-05-26T03:26:32.794-07:00

Apologies yet again for the unannounced hiatus. A trip to Walla Walla, Washington and project deadline (which I'll draw more attention to when we have a more functional website and presence) sidelined my posting. But recently, Destination: Out reached out to their friends, writers, critics, bloggers and other jazz minds for their top ten albums from the 1990s. They graciously printed my picks,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-2459646430803776892007-05-06T02:20:00.000-07:002007-05-06T03:02:02.410-07:00

- One of my fave new organist-keyboardists, Sam Yahel, will be releasing a new disc in June. Joshua Redman and Brian Blade (from the Elastic Band and Yaya3) join forces with Yahel again for Truth and Beauty, but there's a cast change for Yahel's East Coast tour (guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Gregory Hutchinson) as they open for... Steely Dan. Info here. The Elastic Band with Blade is a

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-50995818872001495652007-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:002007-05-05T22:46:57.245-07:00

Kenny Barron: Live at Bradley'sBrian Blade: PerceptualWayne Escoffery: VenerationRobert Glasper: In My ElementAaron Goldberg: UnfoldingAndrew Hill: Judgment!Ahmad Jamal: The AwakeningFrank LoCrasto: When You're ThereGary McFarland Orchestra: Special Guest Soloist: Bill EvansSam Rivers: Fuchsia Swing Song

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-76178274638088981492007-04-24T10:26:00.000-07:002007-05-27T01:45:16.491-07:00

At 75, pianist and composer Andrew Hill finally passed away after battling lung cancer for the past few years. As is the case with nearly any great jazz composer, Hill's playing has often been overshadowed by his writing. Of course, a player's sound is often inseparable from his compositional voice, and that seems true enough with Hill. He's often aligned with Monk and Herbie Nichols (with a

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-33318225225556453682007-04-04T05:36:00.000-07:002007-04-04T05:46:49.694-07:00

26-year-old Benny Reid's debut is an artful showcase for his well-sculpted compositions. The Indiana University graduate has a full, buttery alto sax sound with a touch of grit at moments. His luminous songs on Findings provide the perfect backdrop for his haloed tone. Then again, his tunes are actually dramatic enough to be the focus themselves. He proudly wears the compositional influence of

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-70582036546942073782007-03-23T08:56:00.000-07:002007-04-04T05:47:36.934-07:00

Like the renowned orchestra led by his fellow Basie alumnus Thad Jones, Frank Foster's Loud Minority Big Band was focused on forging a more advanced big band identity. Foster is intimate with Thad's MO, having spent a few years in his band in the '70s, and this experience undoubtedly informed his own ensemble from that same decade -- harmonically complex arrangements combined with passionate

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-72081896489314140172007-03-16T08:10:00.000-07:002007-04-01T17:05:35.595-07:00

With a resume that includes names like Fort Apache Band frontman-trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez, flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, the late vocalist Celia Cruz and keyboardist Chucho Valdes's band Irakere, it's even more remarkable that Alain Perez has earned these credentials only in the last dozen years. Born in Cuba, conservatory-trained as a classical guitarist, the 29-year-old bassist broke

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-69825069888846855842007-03-13T02:15:00.000-07:002007-03-13T02:41:53.721-07:00

When worlds collide...My impressions might be best encapsulated by this exchange between Sam Waterston's and Elizabeth Rohm's characters. At the beginning of "Law and Order"'s 13th season, they discuss the incoming DA Arthur Branch (played by Thompson):Jack McCoy: Nice fella.Serena Southerlyn: And his politics?Jack McCoy: ...Nice fella.And I'll close with a quote from Thompson himself: "After two

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-18785551327991352992007-03-10T02:01:00.000-08:002007-03-20T04:33:19.917-07:00

Piano trio enthusiasts are likely familiar with (and fond of) Kenny Werner's trio excursions with Ratzo Harris and Tom Rainey, or recently, Johannes Weidenmuller and Ari Hoenig, but it's great to see Werner in different settings. He's recorded with a quintet before, but Lawn Chair Society, his first outing on Blue Note, truly sports an "all-star" cast: trumpeter Dave Douglas, reedman Chris Potter

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-36653774884799511952007-03-02T06:20:00.000-08:002007-03-02T06:35:47.692-08:00

Wow. It's been a while. I've been occupied with some other random projects, which I may reveal in due time. Sorry for the unannounced hiatus, but I figure you haven't been lacking for places to visit recently:- The Jazz Clinic has a transcript of Ornette Coleman's acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys earlier this month.- Eclectic Grooves gives us a bit of Nels Cline

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-11656117049853375822007-02-09T08:30:00.000-08:002007-02-09T08:37:54.590-08:00

You'll find some new blogs in the right-hand sidebar:mp3 goodness:- Dinosaur Gardens: A belated but deeply thorough and essential post on James Brown is currently up. Even after his passing, though, the hardest working man in show business doesn't get any rest. The debate about where he's to be buried continues. - Funky 16 Corners: the Isley Brothers are currently up. Need I say more? - Metro

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-44344160985316615942007-02-09T04:55:00.000-08:002007-02-04T10:14:02.583-08:00

In the past couple days, colleagues have been pointing me to a number of Sonny Rollins-related articles, videos and the like. With all the posthumous appreciations recently, it's much nicer to read even small stories on living legends:Firstly, you may have already heard that the Royal Swedish Academy of Music recently awarded Newk (and Steve Reich) the Polar Music Prize.Also, while URGE is a

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-90441470410714913332007-02-04T09:51:00.000-08:002007-02-04T10:14:02.677-08:00

Though it's been available online for a while, a promoter friend, Dick LaPalm, recently tipped me off about an interactive version of the photo, "A Great Day in Harlem."In '94, some ingenious souls made the famous 1958 photograph a clickable biographical map of jazz history. Since then, it's been given a sleek overhaul with more complete biographies. Very, very cool.This was picture Art Kane's

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-37086940377671601682007-01-31T00:53:00.001-08:002007-02-09T08:40:56.648-08:00

I find myself fascinated with vibraphonists' compositions, which often exercise the instrument's tonal possibilities, negotiating between melody, harmony and color. The pieces on Tom Beckham's recent album Center Songs are no exception. He's as much a tunesmith as a performer. A Washington, D.C. native, Beckham first studied classical music, playing marimba, drums and orchestral percussion before

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-82031905512366020502007-01-27T09:01:00.000-08:002007-01-27T09:16:20.714-08:00

Bassist Kermit Driscoll is best known for his association with guitarist Bill Frisell, but he's long been a presence with other venturesome outfits, having performed with John Zorn, John Hollenbeck, and Ben Monder among others. And don't forget New and Used with Dave Douglas. After about a decade of suffering its symptoms, Driscoll was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease. In an effort to meet

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-9297170247326184592007-01-25T05:16:00.000-08:002007-01-25T05:22:21.087-08:00

David Binney: Cities and DesireJohn Coltrane: Stellar RegionsDeftones: Saturday Night WristDuke Ellington: The Far East SuiteFrank LoCrasto: When You're ThereLee Morgan: The Last SessionAlex Sipiagin: EquilibriumSteely Dan: Katy LiedCharles Tolliver Big Band: With LoveMiguel Zenon: Jibaro

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-56642156763258389742007-01-16T01:47:00.000-08:002007-01-17T00:10:13.047-08:00

On the same fateful day the world lost Coltrane-inspired tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, Alice Coltrane passed away as well. Her health had been faltering lately, and she died of respiratory failure at 69 years old Saturday, January 13th in West Hills, CA.While she's best known for her piano work with her husband John Coltrane with his adventurous groups of the mid-'60s, she actually started

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-19576751856532912802007-01-13T21:43:00.000-08:002007-01-17T01:10:11.093-08:00

Very sad news to start off 2007: saxophonist Michael Brecker passed away. About two years ago, he had been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which affects the blood and bone marrow. He died of leukemia today at 57 years old in a New York City hospital.Over his career, the Philadelphia native performed and recorded with innumerable musicians in and outside the jazz world. No doubt,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-35169205399262942402007-01-12T01:15:00.001-08:002008-12-17T23:58:34.670-08:00

Saxophonist Gian Tornatore's maiden voyage in 2003, Sink or Swim, revealed a young but mature player with a clear gift for composition and a strong melodic sense. Blackout, his sophomore release on Fresh Sound New Talent, documents the next step of his evolution with some ambitious new tunes and players. The NYC-based NorCal native has a considerable resume, having studied with well-known jazz

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-12199760916296115532007-01-05T00:36:00.000-08:002007-01-05T00:56:57.276-08:00

British guitarist John McLaughlin turned 65 yesterday. He's renowned for his tenures with Tony Williams's Lifetime band and Miles Davis's group in the late '60s, not to mention the seminal Mahavishnu Orchestra from the '70s, but McLaughlin also shined in the '90s in his trio, Free Spirits.Check out this video of the Free Spirits doing Carla Bley's "Sing Me Softly of the Blues." McLaughlin's tone

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-34811080536598877262007-01-04T00:49:00.000-08:002007-01-17T00:13:59.069-08:00

Just by glancing at his discography, it initially seems like guitarist Adam Rogers is a studio musician. He's performed as a sideman in vastly different settings, spanning genres as diverse as pop, rock, funk, folk, acoustic and electric jazz, and he's classically trained as well. A short list of notable associations includes: Randy and Michael Brecker, Alana Davis, David Krakauer's Klezmer

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-91444398441070827202006-12-31T07:07:00.000-08:002007-01-16T02:48:55.040-08:00

It's been a while since I've updated -- or mentioned the recent additions to -- that sidebar on the right. Be sure you visit them in the upcoming year (though you may already be a frequent flyer...):ear fuzz: They're a staple in the mp3 blogosphere, and I'm more than tardy in linking to them. They have a staff of about a dozen, and their sounds are just as varied (searchable category tags include

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-19973911364203603982006-12-29T03:22:00.000-08:002007-01-05T01:01:56.243-08:00

In alphabetical order by artist (with self-indulgent commentary):Dave Douglas: Meaning and Mystery (Greenleaf)On its face, Meaning and Mystery isn't quite as "conceptual" as Douglas's other projects, but the musical adventure is still there, and of course there's that old adage about books and their covers. Donny McCaslin's slithering tenor lines complement Douglas well in the trumpeter's

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-83328431380877789052006-12-26T00:07:00.000-08:002007-01-16T02:53:19.005-08:00

"'Funky' is about the injustices, the things that go wrong, the hungry kids going to school trying to learn. 'Funky' is about what it takes to make people move -- take it from the gospel, from the jazz." -- James BrownSadly, there's no moratorium on deaths on holidays. The "Godfather of Soul," James Brown passed away. He successfully underwent surgery for prostate cancer two years ago but was

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1166887726354523792006-12-23T07:24:00.000-08:002007-01-05T00:57:59.527-08:00

For the perennial viewer of A Charlie Brown Christmas (CD, DVD), some links for the holidays:- NPR's Morning Edition: a special on the making of the music and film.- The Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL): the "making of" with a focus on Guaraldi. Thanks to Wallabop for pointing this out.- David Guaraldi: Vince's son talks about his father, the musician; not very informative but reveals a

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1166883910789433772006-12-23T06:23:00.000-08:002006-12-26T10:37:07.426-08:00

Back in October, after Tower Records filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time since 2004, a judge awarded its assets to the Great American Group for $134.3 million. After lingering for the last couple months, they officially closed their doors yesterday. Like many long-time patrons, I made my own final pilgrimage to my local Tower earlier this week. The racks were scattered, shelves

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1166020835623715902006-12-13T06:58:00.000-08:002007-01-17T00:13:24.597-08:00

Since the late '80s, Larry Goldings has been an example of lyricism, taste and invention as a keyboardist. While he's known primarily as an organist, he's also a remarkable pianist, and his talents on both can be heard on nearly a dozen albums under his own name as well as on several dozen others as a sideman.Over the years, he's played with artists within and outside the jazz world including Jim

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1165672402355174852006-12-09T05:53:00.000-08:002006-12-20T03:57:22.966-08:00

"I Sing the Blues Every Night," was recorded for Pat Martino's Nightwings in 1994. While the original recording is a quintet with a sax and rhythm section, the performance in this video actually recalls his eerie, nocturnal guitar-Rhodes duet outing, We'll Be Together Again, with Gil Goldstein.Martino's fans love him for his melodic brand of axeman athleticism, and a lot of his lyricism comes

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1165546087647814382006-12-07T18:45:00.000-08:002006-12-08T03:45:43.356-08:00

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of taking a small part in Kenny Burrell's 75th birthday concert, a tribute and fundraising event for the Friends of Jazz at UCLA, which was something of a marathon affair but certainly not lacking in talent. The lineup included (in various permutations) Burrell himself, Russell Malone, Pat Metheny, Anthony Wilson, Gerald Wilson and his orchestra, Mike Melvoin,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1164675038954697002006-11-28T03:11:00.000-08:002006-11-28T03:20:55.833-08:00

Singer Anita O'Day turned 87 in October but passed away last Thursday morning, November 23rd, 2006 from cardiac arrest while battling pneumonia. The Chicago native started singing in Gene Krupa's band in 1941, which helped heighten the 23-year-old singer's profile, and her fame grew after a hit performance of "Let Me Off Uptown" with Roy Eldridge (who was hired by Krupa shortly after her). Their

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1164356851801468282006-11-24T01:26:00.000-08:002006-11-27T16:40:28.610-08:00

Vocalist Ruth Brown died last Friday, November 17th from complications from a stroke and a heart attack. She was 78 years old. Known always as a strong, earthy, soulful singer, her career took off when she signed to Atlantic Records in the late '40s. Though she wanted to sing more ballads, the label urged her to try more upbeat material, which suited her well, though she would change and evolve

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1164081067083793792006-11-21T16:58:00.000-08:002006-11-21T05:07:21.750-08:00

Two "making of" videos of two very different bands:1) As much as music videos can cement associations between meaningless images and otherwise meaningful music, it's nice to get a behind-the-scenes glance at a band, especially one that presents itself as obliquely as TV on the Radio does (view their blog for evidence). The new album, Return to Cookie Mountain, retains much of the brooding,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1163947945710923222006-11-21T04:43:00.000-08:002006-11-21T05:03:41.460-08:00

Chet Baker: The Best of Chet Baker SingsChet Baker: ChetEric Dolphy: Out to LunchHerbie Hancock: ThrustAndrew Hill: Smoke StackSteve Kuhn: Promises KeptMyra Melford/Be Bread: The Image of Your BodyAdam Rogers: Art of the InvisibleShiner: Lula DiviniaTV on the Radio: Return to Cookie Mountain

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1163064541277753392006-11-09T01:16:00.000-08:002006-11-09T03:21:19.020-08:00

Rifftides reminds us to check out the Lennie Tristano Festival, a marathon broadcast on WKCR, 89.9 FM from Columbia University. Be sure you tune in to hear Tristano's complete recordings and interviews round-the-clock through Saturday at noon.Tristano, an innovative figure discussed (and debated) in his own time, is underappreciated today. We often associate his name with the "cool" aesthetic, a

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1162551671895514462006-11-03T02:49:00.000-08:002008-12-18T00:02:24.097-08:00

26 years old at the time of this writing, Walter Smith III could be considered something of a phenomenon, being a young saxophone talent with prodigious skills and a fresh style. Having graduated from his performing arts high school in his native Houston, from Berklee with a degree in Music Education and from the Manhattan School of Music with a masters in Jazz Performance, he will graduate in

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161939769209559082006-10-27T01:55:00.000-07:002006-10-27T02:02:49.223-07:00

For your Friday: two videos of Ahmad Jamal from Jazz from Studio 61 in 1959. The trio includes Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums (and some notable onlookers)."Excerpts from the Blues": There's plenty of breathing room even during the busier moments. He teases us with his restraint at the keyboard, not to mention his dynamic range, whose highs and lows are dramatic but tasteful.

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161853178582199032006-10-26T01:52:00.000-07:002006-11-03T20:20:05.536-08:00

In 1976, Charles Mingus performed with a quintet in Japan's capital. Almost thirty years later, the Mingus Big Band, one of the most energetic ensembles of a handful that further his legacy today, visited the Blue Note in Tokyo. Fourteen players, sixty-four minutes and no holds barred, the newly released disc Live in Tokyo documents some powerful blowing and smart arrangements."Wham Bam" sets the

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161506584978180662006-10-22T02:30:00.000-07:002006-10-22T02:37:05.506-07:00

David Binney: SouthCharles Earland: Black Talk!Taylor Eigsti: Lucky to Be MeJohn Ellis: By a ThreadJohn Ellis: One Foot in the SwampBobby Hutcherson: HappeningsMarc Johnson: Shades of JadePat Metheny/Brad Mehldau: Metheny MehldauJason Moran: Artist in ResidenceTed Nash: In the Loop

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161154264299674192006-10-22T02:08:00.000-07:002006-10-22T02:36:15.050-07:00

Cristofer Gross (a.k.a. Theaterealtor), a realtor, theatre fanatic and fellow jazz enthusiast, has recently published an article in Squeeze O.C. on some notable jazz youth in the Southland. He focuses particularly on the Black Note Trio, a group from the Orange County High School of the Arts under the direction of Bijon Watson.The members of the Black Note Trio began playing before they were 10

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161337614742189552006-10-20T03:11:00.000-07:002006-10-27T02:05:42.946-07:00

Since Charles Mingus's passing in 1979, his prolific musical legacy has remained vital not only because of his compositions themselves but also because of the efforts of his widow, Sue Mingus, who directs bands to present his wildly varied repertoire (the Mingus Big Band, the Mingus Dynasty, the Mingus Orchestra and the Epitaph Orchestra). The newest release bearing his name, however, is not from

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161240857317121322006-10-19T02:21:00.000-07:002006-10-19T03:03:59.290-07:00

Yesterday was drummer Bill Stewart's birthday, so I spun several tracks that featured him (not that I ever need an excuse to play his music). He's stylish, funky, adaptable and he continually extracts new colors from the drum kit. Even his swing feel is distinctive, wide and unflagging. Maceo Parker can attest to his sense of groove in soul/funk settings, and his work with John Scofield is

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161082444081266122006-10-17T03:41:00.000-07:002006-10-17T03:57:44.540-07:00

On the sidebar under "Friends," you'll find a new link for FreshRed, an up-and-coming site with information on Los Angeles music performances. Founder Mayur Khandelwal posts listings for local shows, sortable by venue, performer, date and price. You can also check out weekly recommendations by local music bloggers including yours truly. Do swing by there each week as the site grows, and encourage

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1161074544522738692006-10-17T03:29:00.000-07:002006-10-26T02:14:52.276-07:00

A year ago yesterday, I began this blog as a rather whimsical hobby. A blog can't change the world, but it has at least become more meaningful to me as a simple creative outlet. Thanks for reading my ramblings, listening to the tunes, buying the albums and sticking with me in general.Though an explanation isn't essential, I realize I never disclosed why I chose the name for this blog. "Song With

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1160731060692805772006-10-13T02:33:00.000-07:002006-10-20T03:20:56.076-07:00

It might seem natural to put Joe Henderson in a class with John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophonists with sounds that can have warmth, melody or edge and can push the limits of a tune), but avid Henderson-admirers rightly put him in a class by himself. Even while his tone has a roughness to it, the center of that sound is actually quite full and warm. The Milestone

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1160624089752669702006-10-13T00:03:00.000-07:002006-10-13T00:23:42.526-07:00

Check out the poster in the background of the picture. If there were any "Law & Order" character who would be a Thelonious Monk fan, it would be Det. John Munch (Richard Belzer). This shot is from this week's episode of "Law & Order: SVU." Oddly enough, it was aired on what would've been Monk's 89th birthday.My apologies for the low-quality picture. I don't have any fancy TV screencap devices.

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1160644667195228492006-10-12T02:10:00.000-07:002006-10-12T02:20:02.420-07:00

Over the past month, I've been enjoying Madeleine Peyroux's Half the Perfect World. While the album revels in its sparseness and coolness, it still sounds earnest to these ears. With a repertoire that touches on seminal songwriters (Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits) and an aesthetic drawn from jazz, folk, cabaret and contemporary "singer-songwriter," her third release is her most tasteful

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1160123083954688842006-10-06T01:38:00.000-07:002006-10-12T02:21:07.120-07:00

Trumpeter Sean Jones has been making waves as a new talent since his debut on Mack Avenue, Eternal Journey back in 2003. Listeners have heard him improve over time with last year's Gemini and now Roots hits the streets. A casual listener may be tempted to place him alongside Roy Hargrove or Terence Blanchard, but Jones uses the neo-bop sound of the '90s as a more of a springboard than a model to

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1159874584532187292006-10-03T03:43:00.000-07:002006-10-03T04:23:04.646-07:00

Michael Brecker: Wide AnglesBroken Social Scene: Broken Social Scene*Don Byron: Do the Boomerang: the Music of Junior WalkerAdam Czerwinski/Darek Oleszkiewicz: RaindanceJeff Gauthier: On the Other HandLarry Goldings: Sweet ScienceStefon Harris: African Tarantella: Dances with DukeAndrew Hill: Mosaic Select (box set)Dave Stryker: The ChaserKenny Wheeler: Gnu High* These lists are not limited to

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1159868683801179652006-10-03T02:27:00.000-07:002006-10-03T02:44:43.906-07:00

Guitarist Lee Ritenour's newest effort, Smoke 'n' Mirrors, was released a couple months ago, so I'm quite behind in acknowledging it. A consummate studio musician, Ritenour's polished execution might set off the listener's "smooth jazz" detector, but I think actually listening to the album will reveal that improvisation can remain fresh even in a more produced setting. I always find it

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1159276457632948072006-09-27T00:46:00.000-07:002006-10-03T00:27:39.190-07:00

About a year and a half ago, the great Hammond B3 organist Jimmy Smith passed away but not before he was honored as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of the Arts. His story is the stuff of legends, having emerged as a fully formed virtuoso in the mid-1950s. He began as a student of the piano but was drawn to the organ after hearing Wild Bill Davis perform. He found an organ dealer in

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1159280433504418382006-09-26T07:00:00.000-07:002006-09-26T07:35:24.723-07:00

In his latest NY Times article, Nate Chinen tags along as Keith Jarrett makes notes on his most recent recording, a live solo performance at Carnegie Hall exactly one year ago today. A glimpse into the pianist's uniquely self-analytical mind:Months after the concert, when Mr. Jarrett listened to a playback for the first time, he took notes intended to serve as a reference guide during his

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1157236872729305932006-09-26T06:24:00.000-07:002006-10-03T02:45:22.010-07:00

Miles Davis: Water BabiesAaron Goldberg: WorldsFreddie Hubbard: Red ClayKeith Jarrett: Death and the FlowerMetta Quintet: Subway SongsOne For All: The LineupMadeleine Peyroux: Half the Perfect WorldEric Reed: HereWoody Shaw: Stepping StonesDr. Lonnie Smith: Jungle Soul

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1158938295832208062006-09-22T08:04:00.000-07:002006-09-22T08:18:15.956-07:00

Remember, the season premiere is tonight, 10/9c on NBC. New cast members Alana de la Garza and Milena Govich test the waters as ADA Connie Rubirosa and Det. Nina Cassady, respectively.You can get a sneak peek of the first eleven minutes of the episode here. (You'll have to pardon the advertisement in the intro.)

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1158830879587306442006-09-21T02:20:00.000-07:002006-09-22T09:25:16.120-07:00

The recent announcement of the recipients of the 2006 MacArthur Fellowships (affectionally nicknamed the "genius grants") draws attention to two jazz figures:Violinist Regina Carter's conservatory training and eclectic influences with jazz roots have earned her praise over the past decade. While the violin is rarely identified as an essential instrument in today's mainstream jazz spheres,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1158742896186405032006-09-20T01:59:00.000-07:002006-09-20T02:19:32.753-07:00

This past weekend, several pianists performed in the 2006 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition (its 20th anniversary). About a month ago, twelve semi-finalists were announced, three of whom are Los Angeles-based: Gerald Clayton, son of bassist/composer John Clayton and a talented keyboardist in his own right, currently studying at USC's Thornton School of Music; Josh Nelson, a

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1158467981322385602006-09-19T06:53:00.000-07:002006-09-19T16:36:25.310-07:00

For this year's International Songwriting Competition, the judges in the jazz category will be John Scofield, Cassandra Wilson and Medeski, Martin and Wood. At first, I was puzzled that so few talents would be representing such a respected enterprise as jazz composition. Then it occurred to me that I should be glad that our music is represented in the first place, especially by such vaunted

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1156945779645043892006-09-12T18:44:00.000-07:002006-09-12T06:53:16.173-07:00

A couple weeks ago, David Marc Fisher's Blog About Town pointed out some intriguing affinities between Edvard Munch and Edward Hopper with some clever examples.Mine are not quite as striking (or even accurate), though I had fun searching. Shown here, left to right, are Munch's "The Day After" and Hopper's "Summer Interior." You might also compare Munch's "Morning" and Hopper's "Eleven A.M."

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1157977504633115022006-09-11T05:06:00.000-07:002006-09-16T21:17:01.420-07:00

Today's jazz guitarists are lauded not only for their technique but also for their approach, their concept (like Kurt Rosenwinkel's tonal experiments or Bill Frisell's spare, mannered sonic eccentricity). An overlooked talent in this regard is Sheryl Bailey, but her concepts are not quite as conspicuous as the aforementioned axemen. She mentions her affection for the Grant Green-Larry Young-Elvin

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1157720279788034762006-09-08T05:47:00.000-07:002006-09-08T07:23:19.483-07:00

...drop by these places:- Check out Etnobofin and Destination: Out for downloads of performances from the late Dewey Redman. The various recordings are with Keith Jarrett's American Quartet, Malachi Favors and Ed Blackwell as well as a couple other groups Redman was leading in the '70s on Impulse Records. Destination: Out also features a trippy, Eastern-tinged outing from one of my faves, Pat

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16564450.post-1157436860578782692006-09-06T02:43:00.000-07:002006-09-06T20:50:06.970-07:00

Saxophonist Dewey Redman passed away at 75 years old this past Saturday, September 2nd. An underrated innovator with a solid tenor tone and skill for weaving fresh, sinewy lines, Redman was a native of Fort Worth, TX, where he attended high school and played in the marching band with Ornette Coleman. The altoist would later recruit Redman for his band from the late '60s through the early '70s,

Kellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480918954239807610noreply@blogger.com2