SoCal Jazz
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Sometimes poignant.... sometimes humorous....always about jazz. The musings of a lifetime jazz listener in stories, concert reviews, profiles, interviews, and more.
Tom Kennedy: Stories From Behind and Beyond The Bass
Tom Kennedy has never considered himself a prospector, but surely has tapped into a goldmine. As if releasing a hotshot new record wasn't enough, the world class jazz and fusion bassist is in compositional bliss with a bevy of new material yet to be recorded. Kennedy and I talk at length about his new writing technique and its impact on his music. Kennedy also shares memories of his much beloved and talented older brother, Ray. The versatile jazz ...
read moreThe Monk'estra Trilogy: The Genius of John Beasley and Thelonious Monk
His music was ahead of its time. I know, how many times have you heard that said about the incomparable Thelonious Monk? Still, to sit on that thought for just a minute, his music has skyrocketed into the twenty-first century in a time capsule. A jazz icon in his lifetime, he is remarkably revered and understood today. Pianist, composer, and arranger John Beasley grasped Monk's music at the ripe old age of eleven. Noteworthy, in as much as ...
read morePontus de Wolfe: The Genre's First Responder
When we think of first responders, are thoughts immediately go to firemen, policemen, medical personnel, military, teachers, counselors, and such. As we should. Their tireless efforts and selflessness will always stand tall in our minds. There are, however, first responders in other walks of life as well. Meet pianist, composer, and arranger Pontus de Wolfe, music's first responder. No sooner had the horrific news of a pandemic swept the world, de Wolfe knew he had to do something. He immediately ...
read moreAda Rovatti: Big Sax, Big Heart, Big Shoes
From a small town in Italy to bright lights around the world, saxophonist Ada Rovatti boldly stepped into the big shoes of the late and legendary saxophonist Michael Brecker several years ago. She didn't fill them. No one could. Instead she has snugged up inside them and found her own way of expressing Brecker's music. Married to Michael's brother, the great trumpeter Randy Brecker, the emphasis has been on the Brecker Brothers' music. That is only a part of her ...
read moreRandy Brecker: Fusion Pioneer Still Blazing The Trails
One of the greatest musicians of the past half century, Randy Brecker, continues to impress with his compositions, his playing, and his endurance. The famed trumpeter has released no less than eight records over the past couple of years! They are all unique on to themselves with only Brecker's familiar and sweet sound in common. That sound is unmistakable, yet ever evolving. He is as current as much as he is a legend. Brecker continues to move forward with the ...
read moreChick Corea: In The Present Tense
What can you say about music icon Chick Corea that hasn't already been said? His past, his career has been honored, dissected, and revered. As it should be. A composer and pianist of unparalleled skills and accomplishments, Corea's place in music history continues to plateau. In conversation with Corea, we centered mostly on what hasn't been said. We talked extensively about his new record and his new academy. Oh, we managed to go as far back as the fifties as ...
read moreRandy Brecker & Eric Marienthal: Aces
Randy Brecker certainly needs no introduction. Neither does Eric Marienthal. But the fact that they have joined forces on a new record is something to talk about. That's exactly what we did, and then some. We went deep into the record, when we weren't busy having a laugh or two. Then there were memories of Michael Brecker and a glorious time past. My gratitude to them both for this fun and enlightening conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much ...
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