Jazz News

Hopping Mad Luxo Sues Disney over Hopping Desk-Lamp Character

Source: Michael Ricci
September 6, 2009

“Luxo Jr.," the squeaky desk-lamp character created by John Lasseter more than two decades ago, is in the spotlight again -- this time under the glare of a transatlantic lawsuit.

The hopping swivel lamp has been a corporate mascot for Pixar Animation Studios since its founder created the character in 1986 for a short computer-animated movie that was nominated for an Academy Award. Lasseter was said to have based the character on his own Luxo lamp. But Norwegian lamp maker ...

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Telluride Film Festival: Jason Reitman Returns Flying High

Source: Michael Ricci
September 6, 2009

When director Jason Reitman brought “Juno" to the Telluride Film Festival two years ago, it was the start of something big. The comedy not only went on to become a break-out hit (domestic gross: $143.5 million) but also brought screenwriter Diablo Cody the best original screenplay Oscar.

Reitman was back in the Colorado resort town Saturday night with a sneak preview of “Up in the Air," and, judging from the audience reaction at its first, sold-out showing, the 31-year-old filmmaker ...

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China Web Sites Seeking Users Names

Source: Michael Ricci
September 6, 2009

BEIJING News Web sites in China, complying with secret government orders, are requiring that new users log on under their true identities to post comments, a shift in policy that the countrys Internet users and media have fiercely opposed in the past. China has gone to new lengths to control activity by its huge population of Internet users, like these in Beijing on Saturday. Until recently, users could weigh in on news items on many of the affected sites more ...

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John Fedchock New York Big Band Live at Iridium, Tuesday September 8

Source: Michael Ricci
September 6, 2009

The John Fedchock New York Big Band makes a special appearance at Iridium in NYC on Tuesday September 8, performing two sets at 8pm & 10pm. Made up of New York's jazz elite, the group is stocked with NYC's premier soloists featured in a variety of settings, including straight- ahead big band charts, as well as more progressive and innovative styles. The performance will showcase Fedchock's Grammy-nominated arranging, with material from all four of the band's outstanding CDs including it's ...

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Geoffrey Armes Releases New CD/Download "Hemisphere"

Source: Michael Ricci
September 5, 2009

This is to let you know that Geoffrey Armes has a new CD/Download release entitled HEMISPHERE. The music is freewheeling 'live' ambience, richly detailed for the listener using headphones. Thanks very much for listening... and indeed buying... you can now download directly and using code COOLFRIEND obtain tracks for as low as 69 cents each. One track will be offered for free download via AAJ as well. The official press release reads: The new release from Geoffrey Armes represents ...

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Brian Setzer Collects His Classics for a Cool Yule

Source: Michael Ricci
September 5, 2009

Brian Setzer is “the new king of jingle bell rock" (Billboard) and on October 13, Surfdog will re-release the perfect Setzer treat for all good boys and girls: 'Christmas Rocks! The Best of Collection' and the new 'Ultimate Christmas Collection'. 'Christmas Rocks!' brings together the best songs from his two Christmas albums, 'Dig That Crazy Christmas' and 'Boogie Woogie Christmas'- favorites like “Jingle Bells, “ “You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, “ “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It ...

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Impulse Records: The Vocal Sides

Source: Michael Ricci
September 5, 2009

Impulse Records gained renown in the 1960s for its progressive-vanguard and cutting-edge releases by artists such as John Coltrane and Archie Shepp, but the label also released a handful of albums by singers such as Johnny Hartman, Jackie Paris and Lorez Alexandria. Impulse had been started at the dawn of the 1960s by producer Creed Taylor, who was already on his way to becoming a legend in the music business. Taylor left Impulse not long after starting it, going on ...

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Announcing the Winners of the Hank Jones/Frank Wess Giveaway

Source: All About Jazz
September 5, 2009

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