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Interview

Aakash Mittal: From Denver to Kolkata, Jazz Crosses Continents and a Big "Ocean"

Source: JazzINK by Andrea Canter
August 10, 2013

I first encountered Aakash Mittal when he invited me to review his debut recording in 2009. The young saxophonist from Denver gave that disc the rather hesitant title, Possible Beginnings. Such humility is characteristic of Mittal. Now, at the ripe age of 28, he's releasing his third full-length recording, Ocean,as he prepares for a ten-month “sabbatical" studying traditional music in India via a grant from the American Institute of Indian Studies. Since that first interview in 2009, I've enjoyed many ...

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Interview

In Praise of Steve Allen

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
August 7, 2013

Despite living with television sets for nearly 65 years, most of us dread being in front of a camera. We love criticizing people on TV but wouldn't dream of switching places with them. Those who have been interviewed on national TV know what a jarring experience it is. Much prep work is required to keep from forgetting what you want to say or sounding like an idiot. [Pictured above: Steve Allen] Our TV phobia is warranted. No other medium exposes ...

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Interview

Interview: Denny Zeitlin on Both/And

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
July 29, 2013

Pianist Denny Zeitlin's earliest recordings date back to the early and mid-1960s, when he recorded with Jeremy Steig (Flute Fever in 1963) and led his own trio (Cathexis, Carnival, Shining Hour and Zeitgeist). Denny's approach has always been a masterful synthesis of technique and “brain freedom"—the suspension of pragmatism so that his spirit and hands can run the creative show. In most cases, his recorded adventures have been staged on an acoustic grand piano. So imagine my surprise when I ...

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Interview

An Interview With Jude Gwynaire

Source: Eric Taylor
July 27, 2013

Q: Where did the interest in music originate from? A: I guess I’ve always had a natural interest in music from an early age. I started playing keyboards when I was about 12 (a home organ), and this led onto an electric piano and guitars when I was about 17. I’m also an aspiring author and finished my first (unpublished) novel at the age of 15. It was called ‘Dr Clef’s Psychedelic World of Music’ and, although probably badly written, ...

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Interview

Face the Music: Badi Assad and the Sleight of Voice

Source: JazzINK by Andrea Canter
July 26, 2013

Back in 2005, Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Badi Assad toured throughout the universe with two iconic American guitarists, Larry Coryell and John Abercrombie. They landed in Minneapolis for a night at the Dakota. In addition to the guitar, I recall an odd tube-like “instrument" that Badi used to add another dimension to her already stunning music. But it was a guitar show and she was but one-third of the attraction. Eight years later, Badi returned to the Dakota with her own back-up ...

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Interview

Lionel Ferbos in His Second Century

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
July 22, 2013

On July 17 Lionel Ferbos broke his own record as the world’s oldest working jazz musician. The New Orleans trumpeter is now 102. Ferbos celebrated by playing a gig at the Palm Court, where he has performed for a substantial number of his ten decades. This shot of Ferbos recently won Skip Bolen the Jazz Journalists Association’s photo of the year award. Associated Press writer Stacy Plaisance’s birthday article about Ferbos (pronounced Fair-boh) quotes him on his longevity. “Isn’t that ...

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Interview

Interview: Andy Waddell

Source: Eric Taylor
July 11, 2013

Q: What are your goals as an artist? A: My main goal is to create music that touches people or at least moves someone who is listening. Even if it reaches only one person in the audience, in my mind I have succeeded. Since I am an instrumentalist, obviously the music I write doesn't have any words, but I hope that it can paint a detailed picture in the mind of the listener. My music is very emotional because it ...

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Interview

On The Rise, Ryan J Lee

Source: C. L. Burnett, American Jazz Museum
July 8, 2013

At age two Ryan Lee began beating on the drums, at six he was learning piano from his grandmother, and at 17, Lee knew he was going to be a jazz musician. “I started getting into Jazz when I saw Kenny Garrett at this festival called Rhythm and Ribs in Kansas City. It kind of floored me, his music was pretty crazy, and I’ve been hooked since,” said Lee. Including his passion for drums, Lee plays piano, bass guitar, and ...

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