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.

All That Jazz [Playlist – 7/29/08]

Announcer: David Lee, guest-hosting for Ann Porotti

1. “Chloe” – Milt Jackson Quartet – Soul Route: 1983
2. “You look Good to Me” – Oscar Peterson – Oscar Peterson and The Bassists: 1975
3. “My One and Only love “ – Monty Alexander – Triple Treat III: 1989
4. “Blues for Groove” – Shirley Scott – Great Scott!: 1996
5. “So Danco Samba (I Only Dance the Samba)” – Susannah McCorkle – Sabia: 1988
6. “Catwalk” – Emily Remler – Catwalk: 1984
7. “Everybody loves my Baby” – Grady Tate – From the Heart: 2001
8. “Blue Mode” – J.J. Johnson – J.J.Johnson Memorial Album
9. “Rascal Roofplan” – The Lewinsky Qrt – Omnipotent: 2007
10. “Coconut Island” – Joe Baione – Oh Yeah!: 2008
11. “Dolphin Dance” – Ahmad Jamal Trio – The Awakening: 1970
12. “Dynamo” – Ahmad Jamal – It’s Magic: 2008
13. “Emergency” – Ben Allison – Cowboy Justice: 2006
14. “Alley Cat” – Holly Cole – Holly Cole: 2008
15. “Samba para Minhas Criancas” – Roger Davidson Trio – Bom Dia: 2008
16. “Get Inside” Johnny A Get Inside (2004)

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.
–
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

The Jazz Messenger [Playlist – 7/25/08]

Here’s the playlist from my show today, Friday, July 25, 2008, 10:30-12:00 EDT.
I’ll be back in 2 weeks…vacation time!

Set 1:

1. “All of You (take 1)” – Bill Evans – Sunday the the Village Vanguard (JVC Victor: 2006)
2. “But Beautiful” – Bill Evans/Tony Bennett – The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (Fantasy: 2006)

Set 2:

3. “Mother-in-Law” – Henry Butler – PiaNOLA Live (Basin Street: 2008)
4. “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” – Dirty Dozen Brass Band – This Is the Dirty Dozen Brass Band Collection (Shout: 2008)
5. “Meet Me on Frenchman Street” – Shamarr Allen – Meet Me on Frenchman Street: 2007

Set 3:

6. “Dizzy Moods (alternate take)” – Charles Mingus – New Tijuana Moods (Bluebird/RCA: 1962)
7. “San Francisco Holiday” – Thelonious Monk – Monk in Italy (Riverside: 1961)
8. “Darn That Dream” – Miles Davis/Kenny Hagood – Birth of the Cool (Capitol Jazz: 1950)
9. “Four in One” – Thelonious Monk – The Best of the Blue Note Years (Blue Note: 1991)

Set 4:

10. “Grease Piece” – Horace Silver – The Jody Grind (Blue Note: 1991)
11. “Duval Street” – Joshua Walker – Inertia: 2008
12. “Ultraspontane” – John Jorgenson Quartet – Ultraspontane (Pharaoh: 2007)
13. “Let’s Get Away From It All” – Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me (Capitol: 1987)
14. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – Louis Prima/Keely Smith – Louis Prima Capitol Collectors Series (Capitol: 1991)

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”.

Left of Cool [Playlist – 7/23/08]

Here is the playlist for the Left of Cool show with David Lee guest-hosting for Larry Minnick.

1. “9:20 Special” – Count Basie & Oscar Peterson – Night Rider: 1978
2. “All Blues” – Joe Baione – Oh Yeah!: 2008
3. “I’ll Let You Know” – Cedar Walton – Roots: 1999
4. “Delauney’s Dilemma” – Ray Brown with Monty Alexander – Summerwind: 1980
5. “Centerpiece” – Roberta Gambarini – Easy to Love: 2006

9:30

6. “String Thing” – Howard Alden – Howard Alden/Frank Vignola/Jimmy Bruno: 1995
7. “Donna Lee” – Howard Alden – Howard Alden/Frank Vignola/Jimmy Bruno: 1995
8. “Still in Love” – Myriam Alter – Where is There: 2008
9. “It Could Be There” – Myriam Alter – Where is There: 2008
10. “I Mean You “ – Thelonius Monk & Gerry Mulligan – ‘Round Midnight: 1957

10:00

11. “Blight of the Fumble Bee” – Paul Desmond/Gerry Mulligan – Two of a Mind: 1962
12. “Swahililand” – Ahmad Jamal – It’s Magic: 2008
13. “Everybody’s Jumpin'” – Dave Brubeck Qrt – Time Out: 1959
14. “Ahmad’s Blues “ – Red Garland – Red’s Blues: 1959
15. “Scotch & Soda” – Giacomo Gates – Centerpiece: 2004

10:30

16. “Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise” – Robert Jospé – Time to Play: 2002
17. “It’s About Time” – George Melvin & Miss Lucy – It’s About Time
18. “I Could Write a Book” – Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet: 1956
19. “Funkallero” – Herbie Mann – Peace Pieces (comps of Bill Evans): 1995

11:00

20. “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” – John Ellis & Doublewide – Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow: 2008
21. “On The Loose” – John Abercrombe – Cat ‘n’ Mouse: 2002
22. “E.S.P.” – Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Gary Urwin Orch. – Kindred Spirits: 2006
23. “Orbits “ – Miles Davis Quintet – W LP Miles Smiles: 1966
24. “The Earth Wants You” – Mose Allison – (Profile): The Earth Wants You: 1993

11:30

25. “Something You Got” – Henry Butler – PiaNOLA Live: 2008
26. “Mardi Gras Day” – Kermit Ruffins With the Rebirth Brass Band – Throwback: 2005
27. “Rainy Day Blues” – Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis – Two Men with the Blues: 2008
28. “Time After Time” – Gene Harris & Jack McDuff – Downhome Blues: 1996

Jazz artists turning 70 this year

Just came across this list. Might be good for a marathon show? Wanted to try out the blog anyway.

Fela
Freddie Hubbard
Lee Morgan
Booker Little
Carla Bley

Joanne Brackeen
Mike Mainieri
Stix Hooper (The Crusaders)
Etta James
McCoy Tyner

Anything Goes [Playlist – 7/21/08]

1. 9:00 Intro: “Sidewinder” – Lee Morgan
2. “The Touch of Your Lips” – Ben Webster & Oscar Peterson – Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson: 1959
3. “Soft Winds” – Oscar Peterson – Oscar Peterson & and The Bassists: 1975
4. “Minor Vamp” – Blue Mitchell – Blue Soul: 1959
5. “Deed I Do” – Milt Jackson & Clayton-Hamilton Orch – Milt Jackson Meets The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orch: 1999
6. “Very Early” – Danish German Slide Combination – Fugue for Tinhorns: 2006
7. “Big City Swing” – Veronica Martell – Big City Swing: 2000

9:30ish

8. “Piece for Two Tromboniums” – J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding – Jay & Kai + 6 / JJ in Person: 1954
9. “PMH” – Louie Bellson – Air Bellson – Magic 7: 1997
10. “Waltz Away” – Louie Bellson – Air Bellson – Magic 7: 1997
11. “Lighthouse Blues” – Gerald Wilson Orchestra – State Street Sweet: 1995
12. “Stop and Go” – John Abercrombe – Cat ‘n’ Mouse: 2002

10:00ish

13. “Sack O’ Woe” – Cannonball Adderley – Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: 1966
14. “Chameleon” – Fabian Zone Trio – The Master’s Return: 2007
15. “Walkin’” – Miles Davis – Four and More: 1964

10:30ish

16. “I Could Have Danced All Night” – Sara Arthur – Talk of the Town: 2008
17. “Let ‘Em Roll” – Henry Butler – PiaNOLA Live: 2008
18. “Funky Pullett” – Gene Harris & the 3 Sounds – Live at the It Club: 1970
19. “You’ve Changed” – Ramsey Lewis Trio – Never on Sunday: 1961
20. “Monroe” – Bill Frisell/Ron Carter/Paul Motian – Bill Frisell/Ron Carter/Paul Motian: 2006

-David Lee

WTJU Jazz Sub, in for Steve Huff, Anything Goes regular host.

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

The Jazz Messenger

Brian here.  Getting used to this new tool.  I’ll be posting next week’s playlist, so check it out.

FYI  David Lee will be subbing my show on August 1 & August 8.

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