Music Industry News

Guest Column: 1959, a Good Year

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
January 20, 2009

Rifftides reader Gary Alexander has some thoughts about what he sees as a watershed year for jazz back when popular culture had not yet been reshaped by rock and roll. Mr. Alexander broadcasts a jazz program Mondays and Fridays 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. PST, from KLOI on Lopez Island, Washington. If you are among the 2,200 (+ -) people who live on that enchanting island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, you may know that KLOI is at 102.9 ...

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David S. Ware Needs a Kidney Donor

Source: All About Jazz
January 19, 2009

Dear friends,

This is an urgent notice on David S. Ware's health. David needs to find a kidney donor.

David S. Ware was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1999 and he began dialysis that fall. He had an intensive three week hemodialysis regime toward beginning peritoneal (self-administered) dialysis, which would allow him to travel. David has been on this self-administered dialysis regime multiple times every day and night since October 1999. While certainly difficult, he has been able to ...

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Vijay Iyer: Intellect Meets Creativity

Source: RVAjazz
January 18, 2009

By Dean ChristesenPianist Vijay Iyer's latest release, Tragicomic, has seen the tops of numerous Best of 2008 lists. The album features his trio (with Stephan Crump on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums) and quartet (add Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto saxophone) and is a spectacle of brilliant compositions paired with masterful playing on both individual and collective levels.Since 1995, Iyer has recorded numerous albums for various groups including his duo with Mahanthappa, his trio Fieldwork, and ...

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Blues and Lasers

Source: JamBase
January 18, 2009

Blues and Lasers

Blues and Lasers Blues and Lasers is a band formed in late 2007 from Burlington, VT. Their sound focuses on the tradition and roots of delta blues and rock & roll music contrasted with an experimental edge (i.e. the lasers). Blues and Lasers is comprised of Scott Tournet (vocals, lead guitar, harmonica) Matt Burr (drums), and Bryan Dondero (bass, Moog, Theramin) of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Benny Yurco (vocals, lead guitar) of the Turkey Bouillon Mafia, ...

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Giorgio Dini New Ruby Flower Records Artist Director

Source: All About Jazz
January 17, 2009

Ruby Flower Records is pleased to welcome Giorgio Dini as its new Consultant and Artistic Director. Dini brings to Ruby Flower Records a broad range of experience in the independent music industry as well as a history of successful partnerships with some of the world's leading jazz musicians. Dini's widely considered a talented and respected bass instrumentalist in contemporary music today, varied career in jazz music has included performances with internationally known artists in the likes of Percy Heath, Charlie ...

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Other Places: Jazz and Civil Rights

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
January 17, 2009

The eve of next Tuesday's inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of The United States is also the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, January 19, there will be a celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C, observing both occasions. The veteran journalist Nat Hentoff uses this conjunction of historic events as a point of departure to discuss the role of jazz in giving impetus to the civil rights struggle that made possible the election of ...

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Steam Powered Pres Society: A New Twist on Old Tunes

Source: JamBase
January 17, 2009

Steam Powered Preservation Society: A New Twist on Old Tunes

Perennial bluegrass insider and luthier Tut Taylor's tape recordings, numbering over 500 in total, captured some of the legends of the American acoustic music scene. This collection spawned the creation of The Steam Powered Preservation Society, a nonprofit (501c3) organization whose mission is to archive, save, research and share historic Americana recordings.

To further this mission, the SPPS is pleased to announce a new website that will make this music ...

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Quincy Jones Lobbies Obama for Secretary of Culture Post

Source: All About Jazz
January 16, 2009

Quincy Jones decade-long effort to establish a Secretary of Culture post representing arts and the humanities in the Cabinet might be one step closer to reality next week when President-elect Barack Obama is sworn into office.

According to reports, 76,000 people have signed an online petition started by two musicians who were inspired by the legendary producer. In a recent radio interview, Jones said that he would implore Obama to create the post: The next conversation I have with President ...

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