HAPPY NEW YEAR!
THIS MONTH WE START 2025 OFF WITH
INTERVIEWS WITH TWO MASTERS OF REEDS,
WHO HAVE PLAYED WITH THE LEGENDS THEMSELVES,
BENNIE MAUPIN AND
ERIC MARIENTHAL
DISCUSS THEIR OWN CAREERS AS WELL AS
. TIME WELL SPENT WITH MILES, HERBIE, YUSEF AND CHICK
IN THE “INTERVIEW”
SECTION
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ATTENTION GUITAR FANS!
CHECK OUT THIS EXCITING ALBUM BY
CODY STEINMANN:
https://codysteinmann.bandcamp.com/album/confined-spaces
PIANIST GEORGE KAHN GETS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON SWINGING
ON THIS RECENT ALBUM.
HE’S ALSO TOURING AROUND TO SPREAD THE CHEER!
https://www.jazzandbluesrevue.com/
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START THE YEAR OFF RIGHT
WITH SOME FRESH AND FRISKY DUET WORK FROM
JEFF KAISER AND ANDREW PASK:
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CHECK OUT THIS SWINGING BIG BAND ALBUM BY
VOCALIST ROBIN SIMONE,
WHO WILL BE APPEARING FEB 6 AT
VIBRATO GRILL IN LA.
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EXCITING AND LYRICAL SMALL GROUP INTERPLAY LED BY PIANIST
MICHAEL JEFRY STEVENS IS ON THIS LATEST RELEASE.
CHECK IT OUT!:
https://michaeljefrystevens.bandcamp.com/album/keepers-of-the-flame
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TOP TEN TIME AND TOP TEN RESOLUTIONS
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, “
Zechariah 4:10
Don’t you love the beginning of a new year?
Like Spring Training, it shows so much promise.
The cold end of December, with the long dark nights slowly starts turning into longer days, just a bit at a time.
New Years resolutions are being made, and why not?
Some people put down the idea of promising to change the upcoming year, but I see it as an important aspect of life
As Socrates said, the unexamined life is not one worth living. We should make a checklist of the time that we spent on earth and see how we can improve ourselves.
After all, if life is going in a certain direction, and not just in an endless collection of circles, shouldn’t we make ourselves more presentable for the future, as well as for our destiny with our Maker?
That is one of the reasons that I love both my annual TOP TEN list as well as this month’s pair of interviews.
The TOP TEN BEST ALBUMS LIST from various journalists helps one look back on the year and remember what was worthwhile to inspire us.
Likewise the interview this month with Bennie Maupin and Eric Marienthal give us a sumptuous feast of lessons that they received from masters such as Chick Corea, Miles Daves and Yusef Lateef. It is valuable insights like this that help inspire us to improve ourselves as not only creators and fans of music, but as humans as well.
Speaking of which, below is a truncated list of RESOLUTIONS from the famous Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards. Like the religious pilgrims of his day, Edwards spent much time evaluating his life and figuring out ways to be diligent to keep honing his own skills as a man under God’s watchful eye. Here are a handful…
1) Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
2) Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of
3) Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life
4) Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good
5) Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects
6) Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them
7) Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him
8) Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before
9) Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be
10) Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer
I hope Edwards, Maupin and Marienthal all give you food for thought his upcoming year.
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WE GET EMAILS:
George, thank you so much man! I really appreciate the stellar review, and your support for the Jazz Community as a whole! I know you listen to a lot of Jazz, so it really means a lot to me that you recognize how fresh what I’m going for is.
All the best,
Dear George,
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George,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the GREAT write-up!
THE BEST TO YOU!!
John Klemmer
Hey George,
That’s a really terrific review, and it has your trademark insight, verve, and imagery. Thanks so much, man, for digging in to the music so deeply.
All best,
Denny Zeitlin