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Interview

Interview: Gunther Schuller (Part 2)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 20, 2010

The more Gunther Schuller explored the New York arts scene in the late 1940s, the more he gravitated toward jazz. As a young, advanced French hornist with the city's Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Gunther related completely to the creative enthusiasm, explosive excitement and brilliance of the bebop musicians he heard in the clubs and in concert. When Gunther toured with the orchestra during this period, he spent much of his spare time listening to jazz musicians at nearby clubs.

In December ...

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Interview

Kim Burrell Relaunches Career at Bet Honors

Source: Michael Ricci
January 20, 2010

Primarily known as a Gospel Jazz Artist, Kim Burrell could be considered one of the hardest working vocalists in her industry with more than 180 performances in one year. For Ms. Burrell, this New Year will represent many new platforms for her career not only as an incomparable vocalist, but as an entertainer whose brand value is swiftly moving to the center of pop culture. On February 1st, BET Networks will air it's 2010 BET Honors program. Among several honorees ...

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Interview

Interview: Gunther Schuller (Part 1)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 19, 2010

Gunther Schuller is the eminence grise of the jazz-classical movement. Gunther began playing French horn professionally in 1941 with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at age 16. He then played with the American Ballet Theater and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra before becoming principal horn in New York's Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 1945 to 1959. In 1950, Gunther was recruited by pianist John Lewis [pictured below] and trumpeter Miles Davis to play on a seminal recording date that would become known ...

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Interview

Stories: Sinatra, Herman and Manne

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
January 19, 2010

Once again, Bill Crow's The Band Room column in the New York musicians union Local 802 newspaper, Allegro, is packed with anecdotes. Here are two.

Outgoing (Local 802) President Mary Landolfi told me this one: Her husband Pat and another tuba player, Lew Waldeck, had arranged to meet at the Carnegie Tavern after a benefit at Carnegie Hall. The major attraction at the benefit was Frank Sinatra, and when Lew came into the Tavern afterward, he was all agog. “Pat," ...

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Interview

Hiding Solo Jazz Pianist Revealed on Dedicated Excavations

Source: Michael Ricci
January 19, 2010

Jazz pianist and composer Alvaro Is Rojas represents the mysterious on the world jazz scene. He has successfully escaped from the mainstream scene for nearly forty years, at least if the standard of gig frequency is set by his more famous contemporaries, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett. Yet, where these aforementioned piano greats have been accepted as trendsetters a long time ago, Rojas represents his own independent and not-yet-exhausted branch and should be treated accordingly. This ...

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Interview

Guitar Luthier Dan Koentopp Interview Launches New AAJ Column

Source: All About Jazz
January 19, 2010

AAJ is pleased to welcome Jack Huntley to its staff of contributors. While Jack will be providing a variety of content, he is launching a new column at AAJ, “Built to Sound," which will focus on a part of the music industry often overlooked - the people who design and build the instruments used by the artists we all know and love.

First up is guitar luthier Dan Koentopp, whose DK Custom Guitars possess a distinctive quality and bring the ...

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Interview

Vijay Iyer Featured in Post-Dispatch

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
January 18, 2010

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Interview

Larry Sonn Celebrates 91st Birthday

Source: Michael Ricci
January 17, 2010

Trumpet player, arranger, composer, and internationally known band leader, Larry Sonn celebrated his 91st birthday with family and friends under the giant palm trees at Sanborn's restaurant in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Larry looked great and spoke of his musical career from his studies at New York's Julliard up through the Big Band Era. For years his band traveled from the United States to Mexico where he is held with affection by the older generations that danced to his music.

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