Recording News

Visualizing Kind of Blue

Source: Miles Davis Online
August 8, 2010

Visualizing Kind of Blue is a new series of designs depicting jazz music concepts and elements, much like the Periodic Table of Jazz. Visualizing Kind of Blue: Flamenco Sketches attempts to show the improvisational form and harmony used by each soloist on the fifth track of the classic Miles Davis album, Kind of Blue.

Currently available as postcards and posters, Visualizing Kind of Blue: Flamenco Sketches is the first in a series of designs about the album, which will ...

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Jesse Harris: Through the Night and Cosmo

Source: JamBase
August 8, 2010

THROUGH THE NIGHT OUT AUGUST 24; COSMOS OUT SEPTEMBER 28

Jesse Harris Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jesse Harris has announced the release of two new albums.

Through The Night is out August 24 and features a quartet of Bill Dobrow (Martha Wainwright, Sean Lennon) on drums, Mauro Refosco (Atoms For Peace, David Byrne, Forro In The Dark) on percussion, Guilherme Monteiro (Bebel Gilberto, Forro In The Dark) on bass, and Jesse Harris on electric and acoustic guitar and, for the first time, piano, ...

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Ahmad Jamal: Argo Sessions

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
August 8, 2010

Jazz piano in the seven years immediately after World War II took several major twists and turns in its development. Art Tatum was the dominant force through the 1940s and into the 1950s. Like Tatum, Erroll Garner and Nat Cole were entertainers and showmen, bringing polish, wit and vibrancy to the instrument. Then came the brooders—Bud Powell, Al Haig and John Lewis—who as bebop artists gave the instrument a new roiling sophistication. Thelonious Monk was even more introspective, while Oscar Peterson ...

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Latin Jazz Perspectives: 5 Great Versions of Classic Ellington

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
August 8, 2010

Pianist, composer, and band leader Edward Kennedy “Duke" Ellington has long symbolized the epitome of class and style in the straight-ahead jazz world. Born in Washington DC on April 29, 1899, the young Ellington moved in and out of music before deciding to become a professional pianist in his late teens. The young pianist struggled for a while, but by the late twenties, had formed a full big band, started composing pieces, and nailed down regular gigs at high profile ...

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Correspondence: Weekend Listening Tip

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
August 8, 2010

Jim Wilke, known worldwide for his Jazz After Hours satellite radio program, also runs a popular weekly broadcast featuring musicians from the Pacific Northwest. He sent this alert about the first program in a new series. It will present music from a major festival that ended last weekend.

The All Star Festival Big Band is always one of the hits of the annual Jazz Port Townsend Festival. This year's ...

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James Falzone's Allos Musica to Release Lamentations (Allos Documents) November 2nd

Source: Improvised Communications
August 8, 2010

On November 2nd, Chicago-based clarinetist/composer James Falzone, and the four year-old trio version of his longstanding Allos Musica ensemble, will release their debut recording, Lamentations (Allos Documents). The group, which has performed at creative music venues all around Chicago and will serve as ensemble-in-residence for the MOMENTA dance company in November, features oud player/vocalist Ronnie Malley and hand drummer/percussionist Tim Mulvenna. Its music is a mix of Falzone's original compositions and collective improvisations inspired by Arabic musical forms such as ...

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A Showcase for Benny Carter

Source: Riffs on Jazz by John Anderson
August 8, 2010

Sax ala Carter! (Capitol, 1960) was released fifty years ago and remains one of saxophonist Benny Carter's most easy-going and enjoyable sessions. Backed by Jimmy Rowles on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums—an absolutely stellar rhythm section—Carter takes a swinging stroll through a number of standards as well as a few surprises. The tunes include “And the Angels Sing," “All or Nothing at All," and “For All We Know" (the latter taken at an unexpected medium ...

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CD Review: Los Lobos, "Tin Can Trust"

Source: Pop Dose
August 7, 2010

Quick, name another band whose lineup has been intact for 26 years. Not that easy is it? Not these days, not any days. Los Lobos can claim that distinction. Steve Berlin (sax, keyboards) is the new guy. He joined in 1984. Cesar Rosas (guitar, vocals), David Hidalgo (guitar, violin, accordion, vocals), Louie Perez (guitar, drums, vocals), and Conrad Lozano (bass, vocals) have been together since 1973. Tin Can Trust, their first album of original material in four years, is also ...

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