I subscribe to several music services, including Napster and eMusic, for accessing music for my listening enjoyment, for work and for teaching. All of these sites offer their helpful "picks" or recommendations, but there's a huge difference between the recommendations made by the sites.
Compare Napster's top picks to eMusic's:
Napster:
Lyla by Avishai Cohen
The Architect of Modern Bossa Nova (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
The Best of Dizzy Gillespie
Ultimate Big Band Collection: Glenn Miller
Body and Soul, by Louis Armstrong
eMusic:
Pathways, by the Dave Holland Octet
Kind of Blue, by you know who
Lush Life, by John Coltrane
Half the Perfect Word, by Madeleine Peyroux
This a list of really great and important work done half-a-century ago ... and three new releases. Making Kind of Blue
one of your picks on these sights is analagous to "phoning it in": you've obviously not heard anything new so you're falling back for the obvious.
In fairness, both sites are pushing Esperanza Spalding on the eve of her new release, which is great. Scroll down a little bit to find my opinions of Ms. Spalding.
But as wonderful as she is, she is but one of hundreds of hugely talented people recording and touring today. Most of whom are getting the short end of the stick because record companies -- and their apparent proxies, the music services -- are beholden to their back catalogs of classic recordings.
If jazz is in trouble, it's because these companies have decided the marketplace only has the capacity to grow by one or two new names each year (this year's additions are Michael Buble and Spalding). There's more money to be mined in what was recorded 50 years ago, so why bother?
It's got to be extremely difficult for musicians to get their names known and to build any kind of music sales -- it's not right to make them compete with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.
Showing posts with label Esperanza Spalding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esperanza Spalding. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Summertime, and the re-issues are jumpin' ...
It's the middle of the summer, apparently not the best time to release a new CD. For those willing to try, beware of the competition!
According to AllAboutJazz.com's CD release schedule, this month has been rife with re-issues. From John Coltrane to Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong to Bill Evans, it's been a crowded field of big names. Revamped, re-issued, reworked or re-mastered, it's a tough crowd to go against.
Next month perks up, though, with releases from Dave Liebman, Esperanza Spalding, Brian Bromberg, Vijay Iyer, Kenny Werner and Jeff Berlin.
According to AllAboutJazz.com's CD release schedule, this month has been rife with re-issues. From John Coltrane to Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong to Bill Evans, it's been a crowded field of big names. Revamped, re-issued, reworked or re-mastered, it's a tough crowd to go against.
Next month perks up, though, with releases from Dave Liebman, Esperanza Spalding, Brian Bromberg, Vijay Iyer, Kenny Werner and Jeff Berlin.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Brains, beauty ... and a bass
If you've not listened to Esperanza Spalding, you're missing out on a rare treat.
Spalding is a 25-year-old dynamo, maybe the best thing to happen to jazz in a decade or two because she has the star quality missing from so many young players. Eldar and Julian Lage are exciting players, but Spalding is not only a capable player -- she's also a singer capable of making a song her own.
Check out this video of her performing Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed":
We can thank Pat Metheny for this treat: the story goes Esperanza was ready to quit Berklee after spending two semesters lugging her bass around, and switch to a political science major. But Metheny told her not to, pointing out she has the undefinable quality that can make an artist rise above others.
Need more proof? Here she is Jimmy Kimmel's show:
How can jazz be dying when it draws someone so full of life?
Spalding is a 25-year-old dynamo, maybe the best thing to happen to jazz in a decade or two because she has the star quality missing from so many young players. Eldar and Julian Lage are exciting players, but Spalding is not only a capable player -- she's also a singer capable of making a song her own.
Check out this video of her performing Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed":
We can thank Pat Metheny for this treat: the story goes Esperanza was ready to quit Berklee after spending two semesters lugging her bass around, and switch to a political science major. But Metheny told her not to, pointing out she has the undefinable quality that can make an artist rise above others.
Need more proof? Here she is Jimmy Kimmel's show:
How can jazz be dying when it draws someone so full of life?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A Saturday night packed with jazz
A benefit for Haitian relief Saturday will bring John Bianculli with Jackie Jones and friends; Black Symphony Circle; Gary Kaplan with the Fletchers; Sailors in Rags; Isabel Ruano; Brian Szura and friends; and Mark and Sedna together at Highland Park High School auditorium 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Admission is a donation at the door to charities supporting Haiti relief — they’ve set a minimum request of $15 for adults and $5 for children.
Thursday, Jan. 28
David Sanborn will take the stage at the South Orange Performing Arts Center with Joey DeFrancesco at 8 p.m. – hit that hyperlink and see if there are any tickets left.
Rio Clemente will be at The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. tonight. He’ll be at the Bickford Theater, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday, and returns to Attilios Tavern in Dover Tuesday night … busy man.
The Jazz Celebration Big Band is back at the Temperance House, 5 S. State St., Newtown,Pa., tonight, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The 17-piece band features vocalist Claudia Perry. Reservations are recommended – call 215-860-9975.
Friday, Jan. 29
The John Bianculli Trio adds vocalist Jackie Jones and drummer Jonathon Peretz for tonight’s entertainment at
Christopher’s at the Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Ave. in New Brunswick. There’s no cover for the music, offered from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
Dick Gratton holds the chair at Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville, playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lauren Hooker is known for her arrangements of standards that utilize her three-octave range for best effect. Hear and see her at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pianist Dre Barnes will be at Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick.
Small World Coffee is bringing the jazz-funk music of Soul Cycle to Princeton. 8;30 p.m. on Witherspoon St. – just follow the groove …
Saturday, Jan. 30
Percussionist Randy Sutin joins the Jazz Disciples at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton, today. Music starts at 3 p.m.
Dick Gratton returns to Bordentown’s Farnsworth House, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet will be at McCarter Theater at 7:30 p.m. ‘Nuff said … except Esperanza Spalding is with him.
Weather forecasters are calling for a cold spell this weekend; jazz forecasters are calling for a hot spell at Kingston’s United Methodist Church -- Dave Kaczorowski (bass), Adrian Valosin (drums) and Jim Desalvo (piano) will be the heat on the church’s “Hot Jazz on a Cold Night” series. Get warm at 7 p.m. The church is at 9 Church St. in Kingston (just off Route 28).
Reeds, Rhythm and All That Brass will swing Saturday night away, performing at the First Presbyterian Church, 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event is a swing dance concert – but listeners are welcome, too. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 908-591-6491 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Sunday, Jan. 31
Vocalist Marcus Goldhaber has been collecting raves while singing at the Night Hotel in New York – he’s making his New Jersey debut at The Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst today, with shows at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. He’ll perform with The Jon Davis Trio, including Martin Wind on bass, and Marcello Pellitteri on drums. Cover charge is $10.
Pam Purvis, Bob Ackerman and Matt Chertkoff are at Cecil’s in West Orange at 5:30 p.m. Not enough? Pam will be at the Hibiscus Restaurant Feb. 5, so you can enjoy more of her singing.
Monday, Feb. 1
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 2
Pianist … composer … vocalist … Lou Watson offers audiences a lot – check him out Tuesday at the Hibiscus Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.
Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
Thursday, Jan. 28
David Sanborn will take the stage at the South Orange Performing Arts Center with Joey DeFrancesco at 8 p.m. – hit that hyperlink and see if there are any tickets left.
Rio Clemente will be at The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. tonight. He’ll be at the Bickford Theater, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday, and returns to Attilios Tavern in Dover Tuesday night … busy man.
The Jazz Celebration Big Band is back at the Temperance House, 5 S. State St., Newtown,Pa., tonight, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The 17-piece band features vocalist Claudia Perry. Reservations are recommended – call 215-860-9975.
Friday, Jan. 29
The John Bianculli Trio adds vocalist Jackie Jones and drummer Jonathon Peretz for tonight’s entertainment at
Christopher’s at the Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Ave. in New Brunswick. There’s no cover for the music, offered from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
Dick Gratton holds the chair at Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville, playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lauren Hooker is known for her arrangements of standards that utilize her three-octave range for best effect. Hear and see her at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pianist Dre Barnes will be at Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick.
Small World Coffee is bringing the jazz-funk music of Soul Cycle to Princeton. 8;30 p.m. on Witherspoon St. – just follow the groove …
Saturday, Jan. 30
Percussionist Randy Sutin joins the Jazz Disciples at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton, today. Music starts at 3 p.m.
Dick Gratton returns to Bordentown’s Farnsworth House, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet will be at McCarter Theater at 7:30 p.m. ‘Nuff said … except Esperanza Spalding is with him.
Weather forecasters are calling for a cold spell this weekend; jazz forecasters are calling for a hot spell at Kingston’s United Methodist Church -- Dave Kaczorowski (bass), Adrian Valosin (drums) and Jim Desalvo (piano) will be the heat on the church’s “Hot Jazz on a Cold Night” series. Get warm at 7 p.m. The church is at 9 Church St. in Kingston (just off Route 28).
Reeds, Rhythm and All That Brass will swing Saturday night away, performing at the First Presbyterian Church, 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event is a swing dance concert – but listeners are welcome, too. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 908-591-6491 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Sunday, Jan. 31
Vocalist Marcus Goldhaber has been collecting raves while singing at the Night Hotel in New York – he’s making his New Jersey debut at The Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst today, with shows at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. He’ll perform with The Jon Davis Trio, including Martin Wind on bass, and Marcello Pellitteri on drums. Cover charge is $10.
Pam Purvis, Bob Ackerman and Matt Chertkoff are at Cecil’s in West Orange at 5:30 p.m. Not enough? Pam will be at the Hibiscus Restaurant Feb. 5, so you can enjoy more of her singing.
Monday, Feb. 1
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 2
Pianist … composer … vocalist … Lou Watson offers audiences a lot – check him out Tuesday at the Hibiscus Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining -- 732-325-7464.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.
Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
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