Let’s face it, with all the options available these days to enjoy the sounds one prefers, who needs radio? Technology is moving at such a pace that even CD’s are losing their once heralded edge. And how about the boom box for a good laugh.
Add to this the crunch that has depleted cash flow and simultaneously raised prices, and you have a prescription for a whole lot of gems to get traded in or melted down.
Here’s an article from the New York Times about the plight of non-commercial, college radio focusing on two of the gems currently very much in the line, under the gun and fighting for their lives:
From Monday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec 12, Jazz broadcasts here at 91.1/WTJU-FM will be preempted to make way for this year’s Classical Musical Marathon….giving our friends and compatriots in the Classical Music Department a chance to outdo the record-setting (no pun intended) fundraising success we achieved in October’s 2010 Jazzfest.
So, since we took our turn, we step back and let them do their thing for the overall good of the station. The music will be of a very high quality, so if you can expand your horizons enough and catch a few of the shows, i’ll wager you’ll be very stimulated to show a sign of support with a small contribution.
We’ll be back on the morn of Monday, the 13th, proud, loud and strong, as we walk, full force into the Xmas season’s celebration.
We’ll keep the lines open here just in case there’s something you want to share, and maybe, just maybe, there might a live performance review or two showin’ up in the meantime. Be well and be safe. Tune in and groove to the inescapable power of community radio!
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.
“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!
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.
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.
Come see 
