A drummer friend recently discovered the beauty of fusion jazz, so I lent him some old vinyl I have: Weather Report, Return to Forever, etc.
I haven't had a record player for years, so now I may have to go out and buy some of those favorites. He was particularly excited about Weather Report's "Black Market" -- if you haven't heard it, or forgotten it, check it out. It's full of unique and magical rhythms.
Return to Forever's "Romantic Warrior" was another of our favorites -- it's another classic.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Jazz calendar for March 13-20
Friday, March 13:
Guitarist Jim Gratton and bassist Jim McDonough will be at the Chambers Walk Cafe at 2667 Main St., Lawrenceville, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Jim will be back next Friday, too.
Husband-and-wife team Vic Juris and Kate Baker will be at Trumpets in Montclair for two shows tonight, at 8:30 and 10:30. Both are excellent musicians, Mr. Juris among the best guitarists working and Ms. Baker a highly praised vocalist.
Put a little salsa on your weekend: The Tropical All Stars Band Playing will be performing classic salsa, merengue, bachata and more from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Maxine's 2, 120 S. Warren St. in Trenton. There's no admission, it's open to all -- you can get a free salsa dance lesson from 8 p.m. -9 p.m. by dance instructor Jose "Papo" Diaz.
Saturday, March 14:
Support your neighborhood jazz student! Hamilton's Steinert High School is hosting its Jazz Festival 2009, featuring young jazz musicians from several area schools, at 4 p.m. For more information, call 609-631-4150, ext. 3412.
Enjoy the music of Dave Brubeck performed by the Eric Mintel Group at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. It's the 50th anniversary of the release of "Take Five."
Trumpets has harmonica virtuoso, classical guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, composer Enrico Granafei for two shows.
Catch Mulgrew Miller and his Trio at McCarter Theater in Princeton at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 15:
Guitarist Jim Gratton will be at Hightstown's Bistro Soleil Sunday Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
John Di Stefano hosts Trumpets' Sunday Brunch from 11:30 a.m. tol 2:30 p.m.
Later, Sarah James (vocals/sax) will host her CD Release party at 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The New Jersey Jazz Society Member Meeting will feature music by pianist Larry Ham and bassist Lee Hudson at 2 p.m. at Trumpets Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair. The meeting is open to non-members for a $10 admission (which could go a long way towards paying your membership, which gets you in these events for free).
The Somerset Jazz Consortium will host a Sunday jam session at PJ's Coffee, 315 Raritan Ave. in Highland Park.
Tuesday, March 17:
Jazz jam at Rhythms of the night on South Main Steet in Manville. www.rhythmsofthenight.com/
Wednesday, March 18:
Vocalist Bill Robinson, accompanied by pianist Betty Liste, will channel Nat "King" Cole
at Shanghai Jazz.
Friday, March 20:
The Bass Boards will be playing at the St. Patrick's Day party at Mangia Bene at the Ramada Hotel on Route 202 in Flemington for 8 p.m. to midnight. For mor eon the band, visit www.myspace.com/thebassboardsbluesband, or www.bassboardsmusic.com
Saturday, March 21:
The West Windsor Arts Council Cabaret will feature a quartet with trumpeter John Henry Goldman, Doug Miller on keyboards, Tom McMillan on bass and Joe Falcey on drums and percussion --- featuring vocalist Laura McMillan -- in concert at the D&R Greenway's Johnson Education Center, off Rosedale Road in Princeton. The event is a benefit to support the renovation of the West Windsor Firehouse into a flourishing center for the arts -- tickets are $75 and can be reserved at www.westwindsorarts.org.
Trenton's Passage Theater Seventh Annual Solo Flights Festival will present "This is Ragtime," conceived and performed Terry Waldo at 8 p.m. Waldo was a student and protoge of the great Eubie Blake -- his performance will include stories of Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Irving Berlin, and Eubie Blake, whose music ushered in the jazz age of the 20s. Passage Theater, Front and Montgomery streets in Trenton. For ticket or general information, visit http://www.passagetheatre.org/; email info@passagetheatre.org, or call 609-392-0766 and/or 609-392-0318. www.passagetheatre.org/
Highlights from NYC:
There's always so much happening, let's just focus on a highlight or two:
One highlight is certain to be Sunday's Prez Fest 2009 at St. Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Avenue, at 54th Street. This year's event will be celebrating Billy Strayhorn -- lectures, performances by Randy Weston and Billy Taylor, the saxophonists Billy Harper and Ron Blake, and trumpeter Jimmy Owens. Begins at 4 p.m. (check saintpeters.org for more details). A $20 donation for the church's jazz ministry is requested.
You say "Philly Sound," I hear "Stanley Clarke": Sure, I love the Spinners and the O'Jays (seriously, I do), but when I think of Philly anymore, Stanley Clarke pops to mind. Head to The Blue Note Tuesday and Wednesday if you want to dig what's he up to now.
Guitarist Jim Gratton and bassist Jim McDonough will be at the Chambers Walk Cafe at 2667 Main St., Lawrenceville, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Jim will be back next Friday, too.
Husband-and-wife team Vic Juris and Kate Baker will be at Trumpets in Montclair for two shows tonight, at 8:30 and 10:30. Both are excellent musicians, Mr. Juris among the best guitarists working and Ms. Baker a highly praised vocalist.
Put a little salsa on your weekend: The Tropical All Stars Band Playing will be performing classic salsa, merengue, bachata and more from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Maxine's 2, 120 S. Warren St. in Trenton. There's no admission, it's open to all -- you can get a free salsa dance lesson from 8 p.m. -9 p.m. by dance instructor Jose "Papo" Diaz.
Saturday, March 14:
Support your neighborhood jazz student! Hamilton's Steinert High School is hosting its Jazz Festival 2009, featuring young jazz musicians from several area schools, at 4 p.m. For more information, call 609-631-4150, ext. 3412.
Enjoy the music of Dave Brubeck performed by the Eric Mintel Group at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. It's the 50th anniversary of the release of "Take Five."
Trumpets has harmonica virtuoso, classical guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, composer Enrico Granafei for two shows.
Catch Mulgrew Miller and his Trio at McCarter Theater in Princeton at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 15:
Guitarist Jim Gratton will be at Hightstown's Bistro Soleil Sunday Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
John Di Stefano hosts Trumpets' Sunday Brunch from 11:30 a.m. tol 2:30 p.m.
Later, Sarah James (vocals/sax) will host her CD Release party at 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The New Jersey Jazz Society Member Meeting will feature music by pianist Larry Ham and bassist Lee Hudson at 2 p.m. at Trumpets Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair. The meeting is open to non-members for a $10 admission (which could go a long way towards paying your membership, which gets you in these events for free).
The Somerset Jazz Consortium will host a Sunday jam session at PJ's Coffee, 315 Raritan Ave. in Highland Park.
Tuesday, March 17:
Jazz jam at Rhythms of the night on South Main Steet in Manville. www.rhythmsofthenight.com/
Wednesday, March 18:
Vocalist Bill Robinson, accompanied by pianist Betty Liste, will channel Nat "King" Cole
at Shanghai Jazz.
Friday, March 20:
The Bass Boards will be playing at the St. Patrick's Day party at Mangia Bene at the Ramada Hotel on Route 202 in Flemington for 8 p.m. to midnight. For mor eon the band, visit www.myspace.com/thebassboardsbluesband, or www.bassboardsmusic.com
Saturday, March 21:
The West Windsor Arts Council Cabaret will feature a quartet with trumpeter John Henry Goldman, Doug Miller on keyboards, Tom McMillan on bass and Joe Falcey on drums and percussion --- featuring vocalist Laura McMillan -- in concert at the D&R Greenway's Johnson Education Center, off Rosedale Road in Princeton. The event is a benefit to support the renovation of the West Windsor Firehouse into a flourishing center for the arts -- tickets are $75 and can be reserved at www.westwindsorarts.org.
Trenton's Passage Theater Seventh Annual Solo Flights Festival will present "This is Ragtime," conceived and performed Terry Waldo at 8 p.m. Waldo was a student and protoge of the great Eubie Blake -- his performance will include stories of Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Irving Berlin, and Eubie Blake, whose music ushered in the jazz age of the 20s. Passage Theater, Front and Montgomery streets in Trenton. For ticket or general information, visit http://www.passagetheatre.org/; email info@passagetheatre.org, or call 609-392-0766 and/or 609-392-0318. www.passagetheatre.org/
Highlights from NYC:
There's always so much happening, let's just focus on a highlight or two:
One highlight is certain to be Sunday's Prez Fest 2009 at St. Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Avenue, at 54th Street. This year's event will be celebrating Billy Strayhorn -- lectures, performances by Randy Weston and Billy Taylor, the saxophonists Billy Harper and Ron Blake, and trumpeter Jimmy Owens. Begins at 4 p.m. (check saintpeters.org for more details). A $20 donation for the church's jazz ministry is requested.
You say "Philly Sound," I hear "Stanley Clarke": Sure, I love the Spinners and the O'Jays (seriously, I do), but when I think of Philly anymore, Stanley Clarke pops to mind. Head to The Blue Note Tuesday and Wednesday if you want to dig what's he up to now.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Jazz calendar for March 6-13
Friday: Heading to the shore? Catch the Dave Stryker Organ Trio as part of the Cape Bank Jazz Festival at Gregory’s in Somer's Point from 10 p.m. -1 a.m. www.gregorysbar.com/
Christian Fabian( Bass), Steve Hunt (Keys), David Bromberg (Drums) and vocalist Lewis Robinson will be at Trumpets in Montclair. http://www.trumpetsjazz.com/
Saturday: Shanghai Jazz in Montclair has the Grammy Nominated Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi and his quartet. http://www.shanghaijazz.com/
Trumpets has percussionist Vinx -- check out his Web site at www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,506031,00.html
Sunday: William Paterson University is hosting a birthday tribute to James Williams, featuring Mulgrew Miller and Friends at 4 p.m., part of the Music Department's Sittin’ In Meet-the-Artist Session (which begins at 3 p.m.). Admission: $15 standard; $12 senior citizens and members of the William Paterson community, $8 students. At the Shea Center for Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Road in Wayne.
Wednesday: Love Billie Holiday? Check out Suzanne Douglas, with Don Braden, at Shanghai Jazz. in Madison. Love Ellington? Catch the Duke Ellington Legacy Band at Trumpets tonight.
Thursday: The Morris Nanton Trio, with Norman Edge on bass, at Shanghai Jazz.
Christian Fabian( Bass), Steve Hunt (Keys), David Bromberg (Drums) and vocalist Lewis Robinson will be at Trumpets in Montclair. http://www.trumpetsjazz.com/
Saturday: Shanghai Jazz in Montclair has the Grammy Nominated Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi and his quartet. http://www.shanghaijazz.com/
Trumpets has percussionist Vinx -- check out his Web site at www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,506031,00.html
Sunday: William Paterson University is hosting a birthday tribute to James Williams, featuring Mulgrew Miller and Friends at 4 p.m., part of the Music Department's Sittin’ In Meet-the-Artist Session (which begins at 3 p.m.). Admission: $15 standard; $12 senior citizens and members of the William Paterson community, $8 students. At the Shea Center for Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Road in Wayne.
Guitarist Jim Gratton will be at Hightstown's Bistro Soleil Sunday Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Baritone Saxophonist Shane K. Zwiebel leads the 15-piece Fun Bunch Big Band, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Trumpets.
The Somerset Jazz Consortium will host a Sunday jam session at PJ's Coffee, 315 Raritan Ave. in Highland Park.
Tuesday: Jazz jam at Rhythms of the night on South Main Steet in Manville. http://www.rhythmsofthenight.com/
Shanghai Jazz has John Zweig (guitar) and Steve Freeman (bass). http://www.shanghaijazz.com/Wednesday: Love Billie Holiday? Check out Suzanne Douglas, with Don Braden, at Shanghai Jazz. in Madison. Love Ellington? Catch the Duke Ellington Legacy Band at Trumpets tonight.
Thursday: The Morris Nanton Trio, with Norman Edge on bass, at Shanghai Jazz.
What if Frank had done this?
From the Associated Press:
"RALEIGH, N.C. — Jazz great and North Carolina resident Branford Marsalis wanted to lobby the state Legislature, but he couldn't stay out of the spotlight.
The Grammy-winning Durham resident said he visited the General Assembly on Thursday to lobby on behalf of the North Carolina Symphony. He is a member of the symphony's Board of Trustees.
Senate leaders invited Marsalis to join them on the legislative floor, where he was given a North Carolina flag and posed for photos with lawmakers.
Marsalis said he would have brought his saxophone to the Legislature if he'd known he would be in front of a microphone.
He also said he would have given senators copies of "American Spectrum," the symphony's first commercial recording on which Marsalis performs, but feared the gift would violate legislative ethics laws."
I hope Branford is successful in his lobbying, and it inspires our New Jersey jazzers to do some lobbying. Who knows what Frank Sinatra, Count Basie or Dizzie Gillespie could have gotten New Jersey legislators to do ... what if a contingent of our current jazzbo residents marched on Trenton? You'd have Phil Woods, Bucky Pizzarelli, Richie Cole, Keith Jarrett, George Benson, Clark Terry, Steve Turre ... there's too many. Maybe the rest of us should step up to the plate to lobby on behalf of the tremendous place New Jersey has in jazz history.
"RALEIGH, N.C. — Jazz great and North Carolina resident Branford Marsalis wanted to lobby the state Legislature, but he couldn't stay out of the spotlight.
The Grammy-winning Durham resident said he visited the General Assembly on Thursday to lobby on behalf of the North Carolina Symphony. He is a member of the symphony's Board of Trustees.
Senate leaders invited Marsalis to join them on the legislative floor, where he was given a North Carolina flag and posed for photos with lawmakers.
Marsalis said he would have brought his saxophone to the Legislature if he'd known he would be in front of a microphone.
He also said he would have given senators copies of "American Spectrum," the symphony's first commercial recording on which Marsalis performs, but feared the gift would violate legislative ethics laws."
I hope Branford is successful in his lobbying, and it inspires our New Jersey jazzers to do some lobbying. Who knows what Frank Sinatra, Count Basie or Dizzie Gillespie could have gotten New Jersey legislators to do ... what if a contingent of our current jazzbo residents marched on Trenton? You'd have Phil Woods, Bucky Pizzarelli, Richie Cole, Keith Jarrett, George Benson, Clark Terry, Steve Turre ... there's too many. Maybe the rest of us should step up to the plate to lobby on behalf of the tremendous place New Jersey has in jazz history.
Monday, March 2, 2009
So what?
It was 50 years ago today, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Billy Cobb began recording "Kind of Blue," often cited as the best-selling jazz recording of all time.
Work began at Columbia Record's studio on 30th Street at 2:30 p.m. and continued until 9 p.m. that night, with a 90-minute break. They recorded "So What," "Freddie Freeloader" and "Blue in Green." A final session on April 22 captured the other two tracks, "All Blues" and "Flamenco Sketches."
One of the delights of "Kind of Blue" is its lack of perfection -- the solos are often rough, you can hear Adderly and Coltrane stumbling here and there. Ashley Kahn noted in his amazing book on the recording Davis was upset at Coltrane for soloing in G instead of D minor on "All Blues."
But what a marvelous work it is -- setting a mood unlike any other recording, so accessible and yet intriguing. The opening bass line on "So what?" so memorable -- a perfect setup for the piano and horns' response: "So what?"
Work began at Columbia Record's studio on 30th Street at 2:30 p.m. and continued until 9 p.m. that night, with a 90-minute break. They recorded "So What," "Freddie Freeloader" and "Blue in Green." A final session on April 22 captured the other two tracks, "All Blues" and "Flamenco Sketches."
One of the delights of "Kind of Blue" is its lack of perfection -- the solos are often rough, you can hear Adderly and Coltrane stumbling here and there. Ashley Kahn noted in his amazing book on the recording Davis was upset at Coltrane for soloing in G instead of D minor on "All Blues."
But what a marvelous work it is -- setting a mood unlike any other recording, so accessible and yet intriguing. The opening bass line on "So what?" so memorable -- a perfect setup for the piano and horns' response: "So what?"
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