Look, I really like each of these guys, and have tons of each of their albums. Who doesn’t have something by Lee Konitz? For Pete’s sake, he played with Mulligan back in the 50s, and has been on the creative…
Author: George W. Harris
Bob Dylan and The Band: Down In The Flood
This 114 minute dvd is a fascinating (unauthorized) documentary chronicling Bob Dylan’s break from the acoustic folk scene, plugging in his guitar and therefore plunging in the nascent rock scene, and then returning to his folk roots and continued career…
Chick Corea & Gary Burton: Hot House
These kinds of collaborations between empathetic giants is what makes jazz one of the gifts from God. Chick Corea and Gary Burton, no strangers to summit meetings, get together here for a collection of standards and, except for a pairing…
Ricki Lee Jones: The Devil You Know
Produced by Ben Harper, this latest release by famous for being obscure chanteuse Ricki Lee Jones has the singer seemingly taking in the mindset and sound of early Tom Waits. Her voice at this stage in her career even sounds…
Avery Sharpe: Sourner Truth…”Ain’t I A Woman?”
Avery Sharpe, known best for his long tenure as McCoy Tyner’s bassist, has released an impressive disc that is a dedication to the famous abolitionist Sourner Truth. The session is a mixture of sorts, as the music is essentially divided…
DAVE BRUBECK 1920-2012 R.I.P
One of the truly originals in not only jazz, but in popular culture, pianist and composer Dave Brubeck died and went to his eternal reward today at the age of 91. Born Dec 6, 1920, Brubeck grew up on a…
TOP TEN REASONS TO LOVE THE SEASON!
Yes, it can be commercialized, but SO WHAT?!? There’s something about the Christmas season that is special. Yes, you have Chanukah, Kwaanza and a bunch of other holidays that vie for attention, but the Big Cheese of holidays is on…
BRIAN BROMBERG: JIMI-JAZZ-JOBIM
What is the line between music that is commercial and merely accessible. When is jazz “smooth” and when is it “smooth jazz?” There are a couple of ways to tell where an artist’s head is at: Look at his past,…
****XMAS RINGER OF THE WEEK****Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship: Song of Simeon; A Christmas Journey
OK, if you want Christmas music that’s going to get you into a mood of holiday cheer, Egg Nog, mistletoe and Rudolph, this is not for you. If you want some musicians that actually give some thought to the meaning…
Knoxville Jazz Orchestra: Christmas Time Is Here
Knoxville Jazz? What’s wrong with picture? Believe it or not, the KJO is a smoking like the mountains here, boasting with guests like Gregory Tardy/ts, Tim Green/as, and Dan Trudel/B3. The arrangements of these roasting chestnuts have a nice jaunt…