Monthly Archives: May 2011
The Pile (#4), and raw copy of Karrin Allyson’s Blindfold Test from About Ten Years Ago
Coming in from several weeks on the road to back a new Concord release (her 13th on the label), entitled Round Midnight, singer Karrin Allyson enters Birdland tonight for a Tuesday-Saturday run. I’m a fan. Like her idol, Carmen McRae, … Continue reading
Filed under Blindfold Test, Singers, The Pile
Interview with Dave McKenna (May 30, 1930-October 18, 2008)
Via Larry Appelbaum’s birthday notifications on Facebook comes word that today is the mutual birthday of Benny Goodman and the singular pianist Dave McKenna. One of the great originals, McKenna, a basically self-taught pianist out of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, went … Continue reading
Filed under Dave McKenna, Interview, Piano
Ethan Iverson Interviews Henry Threadgill
If you’re linking to this very young blog, you probably know “Do The Math,” the forum in which Ethan Iverson, best known as the formidably creative pianist in The Bad Plus, expresses his omnivorous interests. But if you don’t, I … Continue reading
Filed under AACM, Ethan Iverson, Henry Threadgill, Interview
Gonzala Rubalcaba (Part 3) — WKCR, June 29, 2006
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (June 29, 2006, WKCR): [Gonzalo was playing at the Jazz Standard with Matt Brewer and Jeff Waits, after two nights performing solo, and a few days after performing three piano duos with Herbie Hancock at Carnegie Hall. Solo … Continue reading
Filed under Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Interview, Piano, WKCR
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Part 2) — Interview, WKCR, December 5, 2004
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (WKCR, December 5, 2004): [Gonzalo was performing with the New Cuban Quartet at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola] TP: What is the New Cuban Quartet? You state in the notes (to Paseo [Blue Note]), more or less, that at this … Continue reading
Filed under Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Interview, WKCR
The Pile (#3) — Faith, by Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who turns 48 today (Part 1)
Saw that master pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba turns 48 today, and listened to his 2010 self-produced solo CD, Faith, which arrived recently. I think it’s a masterwork, as was his 2006 recital, Solo [Blue Note], on which he similarly assumed sole … Continue reading
Filed under Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Review
Miles’ 85th
I’m sure all the bloggers will offer their two cents on Miles Davis’ 85th arrival anniversary, and, as I never had a chance to meet Miles or write about him til he’d left the planet, I don’t have much to … Continue reading
Filed under Article, Interview, Jazziz, Marcus Miller, Miles Davis, trumpet
Roy Hargrove At The Village Vanguard
This evening, trumpeter Roy Hargrove brings his working quintet (Justin Robinson-alto sax; Sullivan Fortner-piano; Ameen Saleem-bass; Montez Coleman-drums) into the Village Vanguard to launch a two-week run. He’s morphed gracefully from young lion to esteemed veteran, is one of most … Continue reading
Filed under Interview, Jazz.com, Roy Hargrove, trumpet
The Pile (#2): Two Recent Releases by The Cream of the AACM First Wave
The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians means a lot to me. I encountered a number of the members as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago in the middle ’70s. The Art Ensemble of Chicago had recently returned … Continue reading
Filed under AACM, George Lewis, Muhal Richard Abrams, Piano, Roscoe Mitchell, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone
