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AACM | Francis Davis on Henry Threadgill
Source:
Ars Nova Workshop
For Ars Nova Workshop's AACM: Great Black Music Festival, we've asked several leading jazz scholars and journalists to engage performers in a series of pre-concert public discussions about the history, present, and future of the AACM. At 6pm on Sunday, June 5 at Christ Church Neighborhood Theatre, award-winning jazz journalist and author Francis Davis will talk with first generation AACM member Henry Threadgill, whose Zooid ensemble will perform following the discussion. We're pleased to share with you a short essay ...
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Interview: Marty Napoleon (Part 3)
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
It's hard enough to play jazz professionally. Now imagine you're playing with Louis Armstrong and musicians like trombonist Trummy Young, clarinetist Barney Bigard, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Cozy Cole and vocalist Velma Middelton. That's jazz of the highest order. Plus artists who know a thing or two about entertainment. Pianist Marty Napoleon did just that, both in the U.S. and on tour with Louis Armstrong's All Stars in the early '50s and late '60s. [Pictured: Marty Napoleon and Louis Armstrong] ...
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Something Else! Interview: Bill Champlin, Formerly of Chicago
Source:
Something Else!
By Nick DeRiso Bill Champlin, who co-founded the legendary Bay Area band the Sons of Champlin, is perhaps best known for his nearly three decades as a member of Chicago. But he had already collected a pair of Grammy awards before joining Chicago, first for “After the Love Is Gone" (a hit for Earth, Wind and Fire) and then for “Turn Your Love Around" (George Benson). Chicago, meanwhile, was a shadow of the group that had once reeled off a ...
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Interview: Marty Napoleon (Part 2)
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
After playing with a series of big bands in the mid-'40s, pianist Marty Napoleon recorded in small bop groups in the late '40s. His optimistic, high-energy personality and keen ear endeared him to many of the top players on the scene. He got along with everyone, even Buddy Rich, though that was a close call. [Photo of Marty Napoleon courtesy of Betty and Chris] Oh, by the way, today's Marty's 90th birthday. Happy birthday, Marty!! In Part 2 of my ...
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Craig Taborn on Sound and Improvisation
Source:
JazzINK by Andrea Canter
On June 7, Downbeat Magazine's electronic keyboards “Rising Star" Craig Taborn will celebrate the American release of his first solo piano recording, Avenging Angel, on ECM. Totally acoustic and totally improvised, Avenging Angel may surprise those Taborn followers who are most familiar with his electronic wizardry and dual-keyboard gymnastics with such leaders as Tim Berne, Chris Potter, Michael Formanek, Roscoe Mitchell, and Evan Parker. And similarly, the free nature of the new project might surprise his early-career fans who recall ...
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Interview: Marty Napoleon (Part 1)
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Marty Napoleon is probably best known as the pianist in Louis Armstrong's All Stars, starting in 1952. That in and of itself would make Marty a superstar, considering who was in that band. But perhaps even more surprising is that Marty did not read music in the early part of his professional career. All of his jazz-playing skills came from his ear and a family thick with musicians, including pianist Teddy Napoleon and uncle Phil Napoleon. What also may news ...
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