Later On (Free subscription) | 10/08/2008
The Son sent a link to this wonderful explication in real time of the structure of Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” as performed by the Duke Ellington orchestra. It includes sound, of course, so if you’re in a cubicle, use headphones.
Cincinnati Enquirer (Free subscription) | 10/06/2008
A Wynton Marsalis concert must be a selective look back at traditional jazz, because 90 minutes is way to short for him to share all of the jazz history he has in his brain. Ninety hours might not even be long enough, either.
breath of life (Free subscription) | 10/06/2008
Give him two listens. You will be surprised by the breadth of his music on the first listen. The second listen will reveal Murphy’s deeptitude.
Market Wire (Free subscription) | 09/23/2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (MARKET WIRE) Independent Television Service (ITVS) announced today that three of its acclaimed films have won four Emmys at the 29th annual News and Documentary Emmy(R) Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in broadcast journalism during the 2007 calendar year. Since 1997, ITVS-funded projects have garnered 13 wins at the News and Documentary Emmys.
Filmmaker Magazine: Blog (Free subscription) | 09/23/2008
I figured folks who have been reading these entries might be interested in the full staged reading we are doing of DAY DREAM on Monday, Nov. 10th at 6:30pm at 45 Bleecker St (at Lafayette). There will be a live jazz quartet accompanying the songs in the script. See synopsis below. Confirmed cast for the reading includes Anthony Chisholm (Oz), Colman Domingo (Passing Strange), Aunjanue Ellis (Ray)
Filmmaker Magazine: Blog (Free subscription) | 09/14/2008
I am Rodney Evans, a Brooklyn-based writer/director/producer. I have been invited to blog about my experience in the No Borders section of Independent Film Week with my new narrative feature project, DAY DREAM. The film is a musical drama that follows the jazz composer Billy Strayhorn as he travels to New Orleans to investigate the myths and legends surrounding Buddy Bolden, the forefather of
Sisyphus (Free subscription) | 09/14/2008
This is Ben Webster on the tenor saxophone backed up by Stan Tracey on piano; Ricky Laird on bass, and Jackie Doogan on drums performing Billy Strayhorn ’s “Chelsea Bridge. Benjamin Francis Webster (1909 – 1973) was born in Kansas City. He became famous during his years with the Duke Ellington Orchestra between 1935 and 1943. His reputation expanded over the next two decades and he became considered...
Today's Tribune-Review (Free subscription) | 09/07/2008
Donny McCaslin is such a strong saxophonist, he can dominate the sound of an album even when it isn't his own. His "Recommended Tools" is a excellent display of his speed, tone and melodic conception.
All About Jazz (Free subscription) | 08/31/2008
From the opening, title tune, tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin, very tightly supported by bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Johnathan Blake, lays down the gauntlet on Recommended Tools with music that is decidedly cerebral, but containing enormous energy and drive that supports the feeling of playing with abandon while remaining under control...
Sisyphus (Free subscription) | 08/20/2008
This is the Tommy Flanagan Trio -- Tommy Flanagan on the piano, George Mraz on the bass, and Lewis Nash playing the drums – performing the Billy Strayhorn tune, “Raincheck” at the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival (Japan) in 1991. Thomas Lee Flanagan (1930 – 2001) was a jazz pianist who is often remembered as an accompanist for Ella Fitzgerald as well as recordings he made with John Coltrane, Miles Davis,...
Used, but not abused (Free subscription) | 08/06/2008
Dear Howard It is always a pleasure to receive your e-mails even if I am not in the market for anything new. I still don’t think my ‘Absolute Sounds high-end budget system’ is working as it should but there is no doubt that it is capable of producing some beautiful sounds. One of which [...]
All About Jazz (Free subscription) | 08/06/2008
Monday night on Colorado Boulevard is not exactly a hot spot. Traffic on the Boulevard was non-existant. But, that doesn't stop Paul Lines, Executive Director of the Pasadena Jazz Institute, from bringing in a 16-piece jazz band, led by trumpeter Winston Bird, to jam at his Institute headquarters upstairs on the Colorado Terrace in Paseo Colorado...
Marginal Revolution (Free subscription) | 08/01/2008
I'm hardly here for long, so here goes: 1. Author: There's Sherwood Anderson and William Dean Howells and Toni Morrison; I'll pick the latter though none are true favorites of mine. 2. Director: Wes Craven remains underrated; I still like...
All About Jazz (Free subscription) | 07/19/2008
Peter Zak Seed of Sin Steeplechase 2008 Tom Guarna Wingspan Steeplechase 2007 Steeplechase producer Nils Winther has long been a champion of promising artists who deserve to record as leaders but have generally been overlooked. Once signed, many artists have long tenures with the label...
Harmony's Weblog (Free subscription) | 07/19/2008
Jazz albums have crept into my other lists here and there (Abbey Lincoln, Don Byron) and will no doubt make it onto other lists. But here’s a list specifically of my favorite jazz albums, on the occasion of getting the Ken Burns Jazz DVD set and re-watching it. And finishing Ross Russell’s Charlie Parker bio [...]
