Monthly Archives: December 2011
A 1994 WKCR Interview with Ed Thigpen, (Dec. 28, 1930-Jan. 13, 2010 )
In observance of master drummer Ed Thigpen’s birthday, I’m posting the proceedings of an interview that we did on WKCR a few weeks before his 64th birthday, when he was in NYC to play a week at Bradley’s with the … Continue reading
Filed under Drummer, Ed Thigpen, WKCR
Sam Rivers, (1923-2011) (r.i.p.) — A Downbeat Article From 1999 and Interviews
Just got word that Sam Rivers died on Monday, at 88. Loved his music and his sound on the tenor and soprano saxophone, was inspired by the various periods of his recorded career, from his Blue Notes all the way … Continue reading
Filed under DownBeat, Sam Rivers, WKCR
John Abercrombie’s Uncut Downbeat Blindfold Test
It’s John Abercrombie’s birthday, giving me an excuse to post the complete proceedings of a Blindfold Test I conducted with him about ten years ago. His responses were terrific. * * * John Abercrombie Blindfold Test (Raw Copy): 1. James … Continue reading
Filed under Blindfold Test, DownBeat, guitar, John Abercrombie
Two Conversations With Eddie Palmieri, Who Turns 75 Today
To observe the 75th birthday of maestro Eddie Palmieri, “El Rey de las Blancas y las Negras,” I’m posting a pair of interviews conducted, respectively, in 2003 and 2005. The first is the raw transcript of a conversation with Mr. … Continue reading
Filed under Eddie Palmieri, Interview, Piano
A Few Thoughts on “B.A.M.” and “Jazz”
I’m sure that no one who reads this blog is unfamiliar with the lively debate that’s recently transpired in social media in response to Nicholas Payton’s declaration on his blog that jazz died in 1959, and that the music that … Continue reading
Filed under Nicholas Payton, Opinion
A Jazziz Article on McCoy Tyner from 2003 {Plus Interviews}
To mark the 73rd birthday of piano maestro McCoy Tyner, I’m posting a feature article about that I had the opportunity to write for Jazziz in 2003. I’ve attached below the verbatim transcripts of the two interviews that I conducted … Continue reading
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Filed under Article, Jazziz, McCoy Tyner, Piano
An Interview with Alvin Fielder, July 2002
Following up on the previous post, which contained a couple of interviews with Kidd Jordan, here’s one with drummer Alvin Fielder that I initially conducted for what I’d hoped would be a Downbeat feature on the pair. DownBeat wanted to … Continue reading
Filed under AACM, Alvin Fielder, Cadence, Chicago, Drummer, Uncategorized
An Interview with Kidd Jordan, July 2002
This interview with speculative improviser Kidd Jordan, best known internationally for his white-heat inventions on the tenor saxophone (and also the father of master musicians Kent Jordan [flute], Marlon Jordan [trumpet], and Stephanie Jordan [singer]) was taken for a short … Continue reading
Filed under Cadence, DownBeat, Kidd Jordan, New Orleans, Tenor Saxophone
A Jazziz Feature on Nicholas Payton From 2001
Although “never assume” is a motto I try to abide by, I would be surprised if anyone who checks out this way-station is unfamiliar with the latest firestorm that Nicholas Payton has combusted with his always thought-provoking blog with the … Continue reading
Filed under Article, Interview, Jazziz, New Orleans, Nicholas Payton, WKCR
