Music Industry News

Herb Geller at 80

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
November 5, 2008

Herb Geller is eighty years old today. The alto saxophonist was the performing guest of honor tonight in a tribute concert by the NDR (North German Radio) Big Band. From 1965 to 1993, Geller was a star soloist of the NDR, one of the best large jazz aggregations in the world. The concert was in the NDR's venerable Rolf Liebermann studio. Since his mandatory retirement at sixty-five, Geller has been at least as busy as he was during the ...

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The Heckman Phenomenon

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
November 5, 2008

Newspapers everywhere were retrenching even before the world financial crisis tetered on the edge of recession and finally fell into it. Declining readership and shriveling advertising revenue demanded cost-cutting. To no one's surprise, staff and space reductions claimed arts coverage early. When newsroom budgets start to shrink, cultural journalism is among the first targets because editors know that there will be relatively few complaints. In a world of miniscule and increasingly fragmented attention spans focused (ha) on hip-hop, Britney Spears and movies about high ...

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Led Zep's New Singer?

Source: JamBase
November 2, 2008

Led Zeppelin Without Robert Plant?

Myles Kennedy There's been no shortage of Led Zeppelin gossip this year. Following the band's one-off reunion in London last December (read the review here) there's been a steady stream of touring buzz and recording dreams, all of which seem to consistently be thwarted by Robert Plant. With the remaining core of Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, along with original drummer John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham, eager to get the Led out, this problem ...

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Charlie Parker/Arne Domnerus:11.22.50 - Sweden

Source: JamBase
October 31, 2008

By: Nathan Rodriguez

Charlie Parker is in that elite club of individuals who forever changed music. His unique sense of phrasing on the sax influenced jazz for generations to come.

Naturally, news of a Parker release from the vaults brought a smile to the face of music lovers but, if you're looking for a balls-to-the-wall Parkerfest here, you may come away just a touch disappointed. For first impressions, the disc is pretty short. Parker plays on the first four tracks ...

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Pat Martino to Perform February 18-21 at the Bistro

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
October 31, 2008

Jazz St. Louis has announced that guitarist Pat Martino (pictured) will perform at Jazz at the Bistro from Wednesday, February 18 through Saturday, February 21, taking the spot on the schedule originally designated for a four-night gig by pianist Robert Glasper and his group.Glasper's dates have been postponed due to the anticipated birth of his child in February 2009; instead, he'll come to the Bistro next October as part of the 2009-10 season. Since the performances are in ...

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Motema Music Links Distribution Deal with Allegro

Source: GoMedia PR
October 29, 2008

Label’s Upcoming Releases Include Projects from Established and Emerging Jazz and World and Alt Pop Music Artists

Motema Music, the independent label which has released a continuous succession of critically acclaimed jazz releases from both well known and emerging jazz artists including Rufus Reid, Mark Cary, and Lynne Arriale, has signed with Allegro Distribution for the US and Canada.

“We really feel that Allegro is the perfect match for the next leg of Motema’s journey,” said ...

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From Miles Davis to Brad Mehldau - Good Jazz Provokes Debate

Source: All About Jazz
October 28, 2008

When I heard Miles Davis's first full-on electric band play in London in the late 1960s, the feverish post-show reactions almost ended up being an integral part of the gig. As with Dylan's first outings after he abandoned his acoustic guitar for a Fender and a rock band, the audience was vehemently divided about whether the development was a triumph or a disastrous sellout. After that Miles show, friends and total strangers were arguing all the way to the tube ...

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Sights from Mingus Awareness Project

Source: RVAjazz
October 27, 2008

By Dean Christesenphotos by Lindsey PratherThe 2nd Annual Mingus Awareness Project in Richmond this evening seemed to be, to say the very least, an absolute success on all levels. The huge turnout challenged Gallery5's capacity and made even standing room something to be thankful for. All three groups were simply amazing and were met with enthusiastic roars from the crowd. Good spirits were in the air as everyone graciously gave to the cause of ALS research.

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