New Month New Music [Playlist - 02/02/09]

Two thumbs up

↑↑ Two thumbs up

• “Down, Down,Down” – Southside Johnny – Grapefruit Moon
  Nick-Yes, Gerald-Yes
• “Walk Away” – Southside Johnny – GF Moon
  Nick-Yes, Gerald-Yes
• “Nubop” – Rick Frank – Yellow Mountain
  Nick-Yes alright, Gerald-Yes OK
• “Shaw’nuff” – Keith Jarrett – Yesterdays
  Two thumbs way up
• “Una Bruja Buena” – Geoffrey Keezer – Aurea
  2 thumbs up
• “Road Song” – Terrence Brewer – Groovin’ Wes
  2 thumbs up
• “In The House” – Mike Clark – Blueprints Of Jazz V1
  2 thumbs up
• “Z” – Clifton Anderson – Decade
  Nick and Gerald both like this
• “A Vontade Mesmo” – Claudio Roditi – Brazilliance X 4
  2 thumbs up
• “Ray’s Way” – Ray Levier – Ray’s Way
  We both like this CD
• “Blue Bossa” – Phil Ranelin – Living A New Day
  2 thumbs up
• “Pinjur” – Jessica Lurie – Shop Of Wild Dreams
  2 thumbs up
• “Jive Samba” – Clayton Bros. – Bro. To Bro.
  2 thumbs up
• “Shine” – Ravi Coltrane – Blending Times
  2 thumbs up
• “Big Chief” – Vinnie Cutro – Sakura
  2 thumbs up
• “Fishwife Blues” – Billet-Deux – Deux
  2 thumbs up
• “Hutchhikers Guide” – Joshua Redmon – Compass
  2 thumbs up
• Bluenote 7 – Mosaic
  2 thumbs up

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Split decision

↑↓ One thumb up, one thumb down

• “Avalon” – Buselli-Wallarab – Where Or When
  Nick likes it, not Gerald’s cup of tea
• “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” – Eliane Elias – Bossa Nova Stories
  Nick has a thumbs up, Gerald thinks the CD cover looks good
• “Save A Place For Me” – Ann Hampton Callaway – At Last
  Nick likes it, Gerald does not
• “Samba To Go” – Hendrik Muerkens – Samba To Go
  Nick likes it, Gerald thinks it’s elevator music
• “A Primeira Vez” – Jane Monheit – Lovers, Dreamers And Me
  Nick has thumb up, Gerald does not

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Two thumbs down

↓↓ Two thumbs down

• “Thoughts And Slow Actions” – Billy Harper – Blueprints Of Jazz V1
  Nick-No, Gerald-No, tedious
• “La Cumparsita” – Quartet San Francisco – Latigo
  Probably won’t hear this on our shows

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Pulsifier’s Picks September 26, 2008

What makes a jazz cd fresh, or new, or different in its genre? This question frequently is asked on the first Monday morning of the Month on WTJU (at 91.1 FM) as Nick Page and Gerald Watts play brand new releases, randomly selected. They don’t discuss it much on the air, since the reason for the show is to play music; nor do I want to launch into a discourse here. But here are three cd’s that have been released in the past few weeks that I believe start to answer the question, “What makes a jazz cd fresh and new in its genre?” Come to Pulsifier’s Blog for more, and for track samples of Pulsifier’s Picks.

-David Lee

WTJU Jazz Sub

Gaye and the Blues at Gravity

“There are two kinds of people in this world: religious people, and spiritual people. Religious people are the ones who are afraid of going to hell. Spiritual people are the ones who’ve already been there. And blues people – are spiritual people.” – Gaye Adegbalola, August 30, 2008 at Gravity Lounge.

Gaye Adegbalola was at Gravity last Saturday. Greeted by a large and appreciative audience she treated us to rockin’ blues, jump blues, and classic blues. Accompanied by Roddy Barnes on keyboard, Gaye threw a cd release party for her new cd, Gaye Without Shame. For comments on the album and some samples see Pulsifier’s Blog.

Gaye is an integral member of Saffire, The Uppity Blues Women. The group has been in C-ville at least three times, and right now each of the members is doing separate ‘projects.’ But they’re starting to work on their next tour schedule. Don’t miss them, wherever you are!

-David Lee

Pulsifier’s Picks and Pans 8/12/08

Come see my faves, and one downer, among the recent additions to WTJU’s library! – David Lee

New Jazz & Blues Adds 8/11/08

New Jazz:
Ted Nash – The Mancini Project (Palmetto)
Kenny Barron – The Traveler (Sunnyside)
Cindy Blackman – Music For The New Millennium (self produced)
Michael Moore & Fred Hersch – This We Know (Palmetto)
David Sanborn – Here & Gone (Decca)
Bill Cosby & Hilton Ruiz Ensemble – Keep Standing (self produced)
John Stein – EnCounterPoint (Whaling City)
Bob Mintzer Big Band – Swing Out (MCG Jazz)
Christina Watson – A Flower Truly Blue (Right Turn)
Nicole Henry – The Very Thought Of You (Banister)
Delta Saxophone Quartet – Dedicated To You But You Weren’t Listening (Moonjune)
Kelley Johnson – Home (Sapphire)

New Blues:
Irma Thomas – Simply Grand (Rounder)
Al Green – Lay It Down (Blue Note)
E.G. Kight – It’s Hot In Here (CM Records)
Travis Haddix – Daylight At Midnight (Earwig)

New WTJU Jazz & Blues Adds 8/4/08

Here are summary notes on new jazz & blues cd’s added to the WTJU Library the week of 8/4/08. These are intended to facilitate research and listening for the WTJU Jazz Announcers.

TO TJU ANNOUNCERS: Some of the hyperlinks here are to sites that give some commentary, but don’t have audio samples. Sometimes you can’t get both commentary and audio samples in the same site. If you could only get one, which would you prefer? Commentary, or audio samples? – Pulsifier

New Jazz Additions:

Rick Olivarez Trio – Adieu, Bienville (self produced) – Olivarez on solo & rhythm g, with Jeff Cheers g, Steve Riggs b. Gypsy Jazz (swing rhythm) ably performed by local folks. Others in the library: 0.

Paul Shapiro – Essen (Tzadik) – Yiddish pop music, with various vocalists and instrumentalists. Shapiro does vocals and ts. The liner notes make an association with jazz, and IMO that’s a stretch with most of these. Most jazz-like, yet having ‘Jewish sonorities’ (Shapiro’s term): 2, 4, 7, 10. Others in the library: 2.

Ron Kalina & Jim Self – The Odd Couple (Basset Hound) – Kalina plays harmonica, and Jim Self the tuba; with Larry Koonse g, Tom Warrington b, and Joe La Barbera d. A harmonica-tuba duet does not readily compute/intuit, but these guys pull it off. Others in the library: 0.

Funky Mustard – Jazza Mostaza (Moosepie) – Lots of musicians here, including brass and strings, but it’s hard to say who’s doing what on what track. Sounds on the muddy side to me. Others in the library: 0.

Greg Chako – Everybody’s Got A Name (self produced) – Lightly swingin’ guitar quartet: Chako’s on g, with Mark DeRose d/perc, Yashuhiro Hasegawa b, Hiroshi Tanaka p. Mostly original, mixed tempos. The snappiest are the Latin numbers: 4, 6. Others in the library: Chako has one.

Mark Sganga – Sganga Nova (self produced) – A guitar trio, with the back-ups varying. Sganga sings on some, but the notes don’t say which. Vocals for sure: 2, 4. About half are original, mixed rhythms, including Latin. Others in the library: 0.

David Leonhardt Trio – Explorations (self produced) – Piano trio, with Leonhardt much in the lead. Matthew Parish b, Alvester Garnett d. Half are Leonhardt’s comps, the other half mostly pop compositions, but uncommon ones. Others in the library: 2.

Sweet Baby J’ai – Introducing J’ai Michel (SMG) – J’ai Michel sings, and did much of the composing along with producer Jane Getz. There’s some conspicuous vocal overdubbing here, and some with back-up vocalists. Sometimes it’s not clear who’s doing what, and the notes are no help. Styles are mixed, with some R&B. Others in the library: 0.

Matt Ulery’s Loom – Music Box Ballerina (Woolgathering) – Ulery’s on bass and tuba, in a sextet. All original, generally rhythmic but not always melodic. Imaginative enough to be just a bit outside the box. Others in the library: 0.

Willie Martinez – After Winter, Spring (Cuch Be Witcha) – Martinez is on d/perc, vocals, with La Familia Sextet, which includes sax and trombone. Five of eight are originals, all Latin, with a clearly Nord American jazz flavor in the arrangements. Others in the library: 1 (from ‘05)

Diane Hoffman – My Little French Dancer (self produced) – She sings, accompanied by Oliver von Essen on piano, and others. The titles are offbeat, unusual but sung pretty straight. Others in the library: 0.

Jerry Tachoir – Travels (Avita) – Though the notes don’t say so, Jerry’s on vibes, backed by elec b, d, steel d, perc. Wife (presumably) Marlene is on piano and she did all the comps. Generally interesting but the pieces with her piano up front are better, IMO. Others in the library: 0.

New Blues Additions:

Los Fabulocos – Los Fabulocos (Delta Groove) – Subtitled ‘Featuring Kid Ramos,’ these tracks have various flavors: roots rock, R&B, and salsa.

James Hinkle – Some Day (Blue Lights) – All original, heavy rockin’, with a country accent. Hinkle on g, vocals.

Oliver Buck – Prodigal Son (Cuyahoga) – Buck on g, dobro, mandolin, and sings. Bluesy, almost all original.

Measured Chaos – Somewhere Between Detroit & Chicago (33.3 Records) – Most are original, by one member of the band or another. Mixed tempos, some rockin’, some funky, some bluesy.

-Pulsifier

Jazz on PBS

I caught the first episode of this, with Bill Frisell, which was terrific. Harry Allen this Sunday eve.
–Gary

Six Concerts from 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival to Air This Summer on PBS Stations Nationwide

See and hear more exciting scenes and sounds from the Rochester International Jazz Festival on PBS stations around the nation.
WXXI Public Broadcasting (wxxi.org) in Rochester, NY will present season two of the Festival capturing the essence of the 2007 nine-day music festival with spectacular performances by some of today’s hottest musicians and legendary names in jazz.

The entire series will air on PBS HD across the country (including WXXI-HD DT21.1/cable 1011) in July and run through August.

Shot in breathtaking high-definition, Season Two series is comprised of six half-hour episodes shot in the historic Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music – just one of the festival venues located in Rochester’s east end cultural district.

Each episode features one amazing concert from six distinctively different and talented artists: renowned guitarist Brill Frisell, jazz pianist and composer Geri Allen, tenor saxophone jazz soloist Harry Allen, trumpeter Christian Scott, saxophone master James Moody, and jazz clarinetist Don Byron.

SCHEDULE

Bill Frisell – Sunday, July 20 at 7 p.m. and, Monday, July 21 at 4 a.m., and Friday, July 25 at 11 p.m.

Geri Allen – Sunday, July 27 at 7 p.m. and, Monday, July 28 at 4 a.m., and Friday, August 1 at 11 p.m.

Harry Allen – Sunday, August 3 at 7 p.m. and, Monday, August 4 at 4 a.m., and Friday, August 8 at 11 p.m.

Christian Scott - Sunday, August 10 at 7 p.m. and, Monday, August 11 at 4 a.m., and Friday, August 15 at 11 p.m.

James Moody – Sunday, August 17 at 7 p.m. and, Monday, August 18 at 4 a.m., and Friday, August 22 at 11 p.m.

Don Byron – Sunday, August 31 at 4 p.m. and, Monday, August 25 at 4 a.m., and Friday, August 8 at 11 p.m.

A preeminent arts and cultural center in Upstate New York, Rochester is home to the Eastman School of Music, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Memorial Art Gallery, and George Eastman International Museum of Photography and Film. With record-breaking attendance year after year, the Rochester International Jazz Festival will continue to make its home in the City as well. In 2007 the festival saw more than 120,000 jazz fans catching more than 220 concerts.

The 7th edition, held June 13 – 21, 2008, drew more than 125,000 people from 27 states and more than 15 countries. The success of this world-class festival reaffirms that the arts in Rochester are one of the City’s greatest assets.

More about the featured performers:

Bill Frisell – This renowned guitarist’s career spans more than 25 years, and his projects have explored American music ranging from country to folk, blues to jazz, as well as Brazilian, Greek and Malian.

Geri Allen – An American post bop jazz pianist, Geri Allen has been described as “a jazz pianist who dares to follow an unmarked road.” She was the first recipient of Soul Train’s Lady of Soul Award for jazz album of the year for Twenty-One, and was the first woman to win the Danish Jazzpar prize.

Harry Allen – A world-class tenor saxophone jazz soloist, Harry Allen has over thirty recordings to his name. He has performed with Rosemary Clooney, Ray Brown, Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Flip Phillips, among others.

Christian Scott – This trumpeter from New Orleans is one of the brightest jazz stars to emerge in the last few years. He is known for his warm tone and ability to make notes that sound unlike a trumpet.

James Moody – Serenading lovers for over six decades, this saxophone master is best known for his hit “Moody’s Mood for Love, an improvisational based on “I’m in the Mood for Love.” James Moody played be-bop with Dizzy Gillespie, recorded with Milt Jackson and worked with Mike Longo.

Don Byron – As clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, arranger, and social critic, Don Byron redefines every genre of music he plays. Rooted in jazz he is still adventurous in his style having recorded klezmer music, hard rock and metal, and a rapper track.

The Rochester International Jazz Festival series is produced by WXXI Public Broadcasting and distributed nationally by American Public Television. For more information, visit WXXI.org/jazz or aptonline.org.

New Jazz & Blues Adds 7/28/08

These are notes describing new releases received by the WTJU Library this week of 7/28. They are intended to help WTJU Jazz Announcers get a quick picture of what’s going on, and facilitate further research and listening.

New Jazz Adds Notes 7/28/08

Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller & Victor Wooten - Thunder (Heads Up) – Three electric bass players: Marcus Miller b clar, synth, elec b, Stanley Clarke b, el b, Victor Wooten el b. Plus an occasional diversion into other instruments. Some tracks are learly out-of-the-box jazz. But not weird. Most are funky -lightly and cool. One, Milano, has a classical feel. Definitely not rockers who got lost. Others in library: each has one in the library.

Don Braden – Gentle Storm (HighNote) – Straight ahead, with Don Braden flr/as, George Colligan p, Joris Teepe b, Cecil Brooks III d. Three are original, the others area mix of standards and lesser knowns. Mostly ballads, slow tempo’d. See track 9 for Braden doing sweet on alto flute. Others in library: 5.

Rob Schneiderman – Glass Enclosure (Reservoir) – Piano quartet with Schneiderman on p, Charles McPherson ts, Todd Coleman b, Leroy Williams d. Generally swingin’, and generally very easy to listen to. Others in library: 0.
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Willy’s NYC Salsa Project - Lo Que Traigo Yo (Latin Street) – This is a six piece salsa band that makes a big sound; vocals by Willy Torres, Grammy winning vocalist of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Others in library: 0.

David Berger Octet – I Had the Craziest Dream (Such Sweet Thunder) – This is a tribute to the music of Harry Warren, who wrote or co-wrote such pieces as Jeepers Creepers, Serenade in Blue, September in the Rain and others. Berger arranged the scores and conducted the octet. These pieces could be tighter. Others in library: 2.

Lew Woodall Trio – Simply Cooking (self produced) – Woodall on g, Hod O’Brien p, Tom Harbeck b, Joel Lubliner d. Local and regional folks, with the recording done in Beautiful Downtown Batesville, VA. (WTJU’s own Gary Funston wrote the liner notes!) Three originals, all arrangements by Woodall and O’Brien. Straight-ahead, swings lightly and swings hard. Others in library: one by the Woodall Trio (also 2008), several by Hod O’Brien.

Elio Villafranca Quartet – The Source In Between (Ceiba) – Piano quartet, with Villafranca on p, Eric Alexander ts, Dafnis Prieto d, Jeff Carney b – with others as guests. High on the purity scale: all original, stellar cast, no overdubbing. Mostly slower tempo’d; title track’s an exception. Others in library: one by Villafranca, several by Alexander.

Steve AlleeTrio - Dragonfly (self produced) – Piano trio: Allee backed by Bill Moring b, Tim Horner d. (Track #1 is with The Maria Schneider Orchestra.) There’s a suite in three parts in here dedicated to Bill Evans, Thad Jones and Oscar Peterson. Straight ahead, swings and drives enough to make it interesting. Others in library: 0.

Mark Prince – Fraction Of Infinity (Contour) – This is a trio (Prince d, Federico Pena p/keys, Michael Bowie b), and several guests. Deandre Shaifer on t/flg features on 1/3/7. All original. (#3’s a poetic vocal.) IMO the melodies that get voiced, also get lost. Others in library: 0.

Choro Ensemble/Anat Cohen - Choro Ensemble (Circular) – ‘Choro’ is a Brazilian genre, that has evolved into a kind of chamber music. Here, Cohen’s on clarinet, with guitars and percussion. And some are fairly classical-chamberish; most have a jazz sound. Others by Anat Cohen in library: 3.

The James Danderfer Group – Accelerated Development (Cellar Live) – Danderfer plays several instruments here, leading a septet. All original, these are generally melodic, sometimes moody, sometimes contemplative. The soloists seem unleashed. Others in library: 0.

Duty Free Area – 4TH (Monjune) – This group of four employs eleven instruments, and produces a sound that is rhythmic (the drummer is prominent) and sometimes melodic, and generally out-of-the-box. Two of the five cuts are 14 and 18 minutes. Others in library: 0.

New Blues Adds Notes 7/28/08

Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere – Nudge It Up A Notch (Stax/ Concord) – All originals. Steve’s on guitars, perc and back-up vocals; Felix is lead vocal, keys. Plus others. Blues/Soul/R&B.

Johnny Rawls - Red Cadillac (Catfood) – Soul – half are Rawls’ own. On g/keys/vocals, backed by a mix of folks.

Sheba Potts Wright – I’m A Bluesman’s Daughter (Ecko) – Soul, with all comps by producer John Ward. The title track features Dr. Feelgood Potts on harmonica.

Flattop Tom – Don’t Cheat The Feet (Palamar) – Some are Tom’s (Tom Hall), many are covers, and have a roots rock feel.

-Coastn
WTJU Jazz Sub

Saxophonist Johnny Griffin R.I.P.

PARIS (AFP) – US jazz tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, who played alongside such luminaries as Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey and Thelonius Monk, died Friday in France, his agent Helene Manfredi said. He was 80.

Nicknamed the Little Giant, Griffin was due to perform Friday evening alongside US organist Rhoda Scott, French saxophonist Olivier Temime and drummer Julie Saury.

Griffin died at home in Mauprevoir, a village in the west-central La Vienne district, where he had spent the last 18 years of his life. The cause of death was not disclosed.

After studying music at the DuSable High School in his native Chicago, Griffin joined vibes star Hampton’s orchestra in 1945 before leaving with trumpeter Joe Morris to join the latter’s own band.

Throughout the 1950s, he played with a variety of combos, including Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
He also played alongside cornetist Nat Adderley and recorded with John Coltrane. The fruits of that collaboration produced the 1957 Blue Note album for which he is perhaps best remembered, “A Blowin’ Session.”

At the start of the 1960s, Griffin founded his own group along with another saxophone player, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, but in 1962 he decided to set up home in France.

A spell in the Netherlands followed in the 1970s, before his return to France, where he continued to record and tour right to the end.

Legendary London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s described Griffin on its website as a “member of jazz’s elite … his burning solos and furiously nimble runs anchored by an amazingly well-informed and complete grasp of melody and harmony, marking him out as one of the greatest tenor sax players”.

New Jazz & Blues Additions to WTJU Library, 7/21/08

WTJU NEW JAZZ ADDS NOTES 7/21/08

Here are notes about new additions to the WTJU Jazz and Blues Library, added on 7/21/08. WTJU’s volunteer Jazz Announcers like to keep up with what’s going on in the jazz world, and these notes are intended to facilitate their research.

Cedar Walton – Seasoned Wood (HighNote) – Walton (at age 74) on piano, backed by Vincent Herring ts, Jeremy Pelt t/flg, Peter Washington b, Al Foster d. Straight ahead and strong, with 5 of 8 his own comps. Others in Library: 8.

Roy Hargrove Quintet – Earfood (Emarcy) – Hargrove on t/flg, Justin Robinson as/flt, , Gerald Clayton p, Danton Boller b, Montez Coleman d. Half are original , the others are show tunes/pops. To me, his originals are more engaging. Others in Library: 3.

Norma Winstone – Distances (ECM) – Winstone’s voice is at once soft and very clear. Much of the music is by her back up crew (Glauco Venier p,Klaus Gesing clar/ss) with several of the lyrics hers. Try ‘Every Time we say Goodbye’ (#2) to get a feel for how carefully she sings. Others in Library: 0.

James Shearer & Charlie Wood – The Memphis Hang (Summit) – Charlie Wood vocals/p/FR/b-3, Jim Shearer tuba, Joe Restivo g, Billy Gibson harm, Tom Clary t, Tim Goodwin b, Tony Lonardo d. Most have Wood singing (smooth baritone), with lots of action by Shearer’s tuba, supporting or leading. Mostly swingin’ and funky. Others in Library: 0.

Various Artists – The John Coltrane Songbook (HighNote) – This is a tribute with various artists doing Coltrane compositions (not, as the notes brag, just tunes he played a lot.) Artists include Arthur Blythe, Larry Coryell, Frank Morgan, others – not all are sax players. Others in Library: 0.

Steven Kroon – El Mas Alla (Koonatune) – Kroon’s the percussionist-leader here, with a ten piece band that includes Steve Wilson, John Di Martino and Freddy Cole (on #5) as one-track Special Guests. All Latin boss/samba: about half are Kroon comps, the rest a mix of Brazilian and pops. Others in Library: 1 (2002).

Janis Mann – A Perfect Time (Pancake) – Vocals; an alto with a good upper range and classy stage-style tone. Back-ups include some notables: Diane Schuur p/voc, John Clayton b, Chuck Berghofer b – others have minor roles. Some are familiar tunes (but not warhorses) and others a bit off the beaten path. Well above Lounge Level, IMO. Others in Library: 0.

Anna Estrada – Sonando Vuelos (Ferel Flight) – Vocals, with a bright soprano tone, doing Latin, backed by 8 pieces. Mostly slow to mid tempo. Others in Library: 0.

Jon Balke – Book Of Velocities (ECM) – Solo piano, this work consists of six ‘chapters,’ each with its own short-duration movements (tracks). Mostly quiet & contemplative, occasionally dramatic. Others in Library: 1 (2004).

Alyssa Graham – Echo (Sunnyside) – She has a sweet/soft voice, and is backed vocally by a couple of band members, lending vocal harmony. All arrangements by Jon Cowherd, who also plays p/b 3/horn. This gets close to Smooth. Others in Library: 0.

Anne Phillips – Ballet Time (Conawago) – This is subtitled, “Sings with . . .” and then there’s a list that includes McPartland, Brubeck, Frishberg, and many other notables. The back-ups are excellent, as one might expect, but she doesn’t match up, IMO. Others in Library: 0.

Lew Woodall Trio – Texas Trip (self produced) – Woodall g, Tommy Young b3, John Bryant d. American Songbook, done straight-ahead. Guitar generally leads, and these tunes and style don’t require an energetic b3, so that’s mostly support. Pleasant. Others in Library: 0.

WTJU NEW BLUES ADDS NOTES 7/21/08

Maria Muldaur – Yes We Can! (Telarc) – Maria’s the lead vocal (backed by The Women’s Voices for Peace Choir) and she also fiddles. Blues, R&B. Some lyrics are traditional, ,some contemporary & original – all provide some social commentary.

Eddie Martin – Contrary Mary (Blueblood) – Martin on g, vocals; all original, with a roots rock feel to it.

Sweet Angel – Handle Your Business (Ecko) – Sweet Angel is her handle, and she sings. But the case material doesn’t say much more. Soul, R&B (Motown style).

Mike Zito – Today (Eclecto-Groove) – Zito on g & vocals. Mixed tempos; little information in the case material.

Coastn’
WTJU Jazz Sub