Jazz News

Mauricio Kagel Argentine-Born Music Composer Passes

Source: Michael Ricci
September 19, 2008

Mauricio Kagel, 76, an Argentine-born composer whose experimental body of work also ranged into theater, has died in Cologne, Germany, following a long illness, the C.F. Peters musical publishing house said Thursday.

Kagel was born in Buenos Aires on Dec. 24, 1931, into a Jewish family of German-Russian origin.

A self-taught composer who learned to play instruments including the piano, organ and cello, he studied literature and philosophy at the University of Buenos Aires and at age 18 became an ...

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Bireli Lagrene's New Album Due November 11th on Dreyfus Jazz

Source: Now Forward Music
September 19, 2008

Birli LAGRNE (with Hadrien Feraud): Electric Side (Dreyfus Jazz) in stores 11/11/2008

Electric Side, the new album by guitar great Birli Lagrne, finds the artist reconnecting with his jazz/rock persona, in the spirit of his 1980's collaborations with Jaco Pastorius.

The sound is an exciting and unique update on contemporary jazz sounds, featuring wonderful new Birli Lagrne compositions, and an incredible cover of Herbie Hancock's “Jack Rabbit."

For the recording, Birli has recruited bassist Hadrien Feraud, the “young Jaco" (John ...

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Firehouse 12's 2008 Fall Jazz Series Begins Tonight

Source: Improvised Communications
September 19, 2008

New Haven's Firehouse 12 will kickoff its fourth annual Fall Jazz Series tonight with a two set performance by the Steve Lantner Trio. Led by pianist/composer Steve Lantner, the longstanding group features New Haven native Joe Morris on bass and fellow Bostonian Luther Gray (Rob Brown, Taylor Ho Bynum, Joe Morris) on drums. Its third CD, What You Can Throw (hatOLOGY 641), which includes reworkings of music by Anthony Braxton and Ornette Coleman as well as original material, was released ...

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Lionel Loueke & Richard Bona

Source: All About Jazz
September 19, 2008

Lionel Loueke & Richard Bona September 26-27, 7:30pm & 9:30pm The Allen Room Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center Broadway at 60th Street Guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke from Benin and bassist/vocalist Richard Bona from Cameroon create an unforgettable evening of the folkloric music of their homelands and contemporary jazz vocabulary. Lionel Loueke is a versatile musician, having performed with Herbie Hancock and Terence Blanchard among others. Loueke is currently a member of Herbie Hancock’s band, and recorded ...

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Richard Sudhalter, R.I.P.

Source: All About Jazz
September 19, 2008

It is with profound sadness that I must notify all that Richard Sudhalter died last night. Richard had pneumonia for several weeks. Last Sunday, when he had serious difficulties breathing, he was admitted to the hospital for the second time during this period.

No funeral arrangements, as per Richard's wishes, have been made. There will be, in the near future, a celebration of Richard's life.

Earlier this year, I wrote a biographical sketch.

I join Richard's family, friends, and admirers ...

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130 New Additions to AAJ Upcoming Jazz CD/DVD Release Center

Source: All About Jazz
September 19, 2008

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Mac McDonald: Jazz Abounds This Weekend

Source: All About Jazz
September 19, 2008

Well, here we are again kids, on the eve of the Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon — three nights and two days filled with wall-to-wall jazz, funk and Latin rhythms. Check out Beth Peerless' near-comprehensive overviews above me and on page 11, where she highlights saxman Maceo Parker ("Take me to the bridge, Maceo!" was often shouted by his former bandleader James Brown) and Grammy-nominated Bay Area singer Ledisi. This is the 51st annual edition of the world's longest ...

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Brasstronaut Binds Kindred Sonic Spirits

Source: All About Jazz
September 19, 2008

The quartet’s conservatory-trained members aren’t too hifalutin to enjoy a bit of lowbrow humour Judging by the lumbering melodies and delicate instrumentation on Brasstronaut’s one would expect the Vancouver jazz quartet to engage the Straight in a sophisticated conversation about the classical tradition—or something equally as hifalutin—when we gather on the upscale patio of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s caf. The fact that the group’s vocalist and pianist, Edo Van Breemen, whips out a hilarious impersonation of Sloth, the lovable man-ogre ...

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