Going over our records for the past several months has revealed a fascinating fact: our last three cover story subjects were either born, grew up or made their name in Detroit, Michigan. This month, Barry Harris (pg. 9) makes four in a row! Perhaps we should change our name to AllAboutJazz-Detroit or at least set up a satellite publication there to honor one of America's great jazz cities. But another thing we can take from this trend is that New York is still the destination of choice for jazz people from Detroit to Delhi, Michigan to Mexico. Even after the more-full-than-usual holiday jazz season and a successful International Association of Jazz Educators Conference (where for a moment you almost felt like jazz had more than a 3% market share), the bitter winds of February in New York can't keep good jazz down. Besides a week with Barry Harris, Los Angelino Gerald Wilson (Interview, pg. 6), who also grew up in Detroit, comes into town for three nights at Jazz at Lincoln Center. From another great city - Chicago - we get a rare appearance by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar (Artist Feature, pg. 7). Joe Wilder, a jazz veteran since the '40s, shows you can teach an old dog new tricks when he makes his first ever New York appearance as a leader and at Village Vanguard, no less!
On a sad note, we ask that you remember the legacy of one of the great international musicians - one who certainly opened up the boundaries of jazz over the years - guitarist Derek Bailey, who passed away Christmas Day 2005 (In Memoriam, pg. 13).
Filling out this month's coverage are profiles on two segments of the do-it-yourself school of jazz: Dave Douglas' artist-run record label Greenleaf and the low-tech but high quality performance venue ABC No Rio (both on pg. 8).
So we know its February and it should be freezing. Until it becomes so or even after it does, take some time to listen to a new CD (we've got plenty of recommendations starting pg. 14) or see a show (browse our Event Calendar beginning on pg. 32).
We'll be happy to join you...
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