Here is a nice obit over at the Globe and Mail.
Rest in love and peace Mrs. James.
Brooklyn Babylon
Above is a link to Canadian-raised, Brooklyn-based musician and composer Jonathan Lindhorst’s insightful review of Brooklyn Babylon – the multimedia creation of composer Darcy James Argue and visual artist Danijel Zezelj.
The World Premiere was performed during the BAM Next Wave Festival — November 9 – 12th, 2011
“Winter Wonderland” – Susie Arioli featuring Jordan Officer
From her CD Christmas Dreaming (Spectra Musique, 2010), Susie Arioli and co. perf0rm a fine rendition of “Winter Wonderland”.
Video is courtesy of Sortiesjazznights.
Merry Christmas!!
Live At Smalls – Seamus Blake Quintet
Recorded on August 31 and September 1, 2009 by the Seamus Blake Quintet, Live At Smalls is a testament to the live tradition of jazz music cultivated in New York jazz clubs. Smalls Jazz Club and their record label, SmallsLIVE, is dedicated to recording live performances and to capturing “top-notch jazz groups” in action.
The craftsmanship displayed by each member of this Quintet is indeed top-notch and has coalesced into a spirited live recording. …continue reading…
The Blessing
This soundbyte is from one of my favourite interpretations of one of my favourite tunes, Ornette Coleman’s 1958 recording, The Blessing. In their statement of the melody Ravi Coltrane’s quintet — Ralph Alessi (t), Geri Allen (p), James Genus (b), Eric Harland (d) — evoke the spirit of creativity expressed in that recording.
CDs @ CD Universe
From The Round Box
Something Else!!!!: The Music of Ornette Coleman
Happy Birthday Mr. Morgan
“Monsieur Jazz Montréal”
The Charles Biddle Award recognizes the exceptional contributions of an individual to the artistic and cultural community in Québec. The deadline to nominate someone is July 28, 2011.
For more details go to prixcharlesbiddle.culturepourtous.ca
Fly – FIJM 2011
Mark Turner, Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard: Fly
Gesù centre de créativité
Montreal
June 28, 2011, 6pm
Fly is a trio that requires your full attention. Otherwise, its sonic pleasures and subtleties may pass right through you without a trace.
The democratic ideal that inspired Fly’s conception is, in part, what makes this demanding music: three distinct musical trains-of-thought forging forward on seemingly divergent paths. This tension does not only apply to the improvisational space within a piece, but also to the body of work chosen to present to the listener.
With each member contributing compositions of his own, the arc and flow of the evening’s performance stands in stark contrast to an evening dedicated to a singular compositional vision. And, like any democracy, its quality depends on who or what has been chosen to represent the whole.
That said, these guys can PLAY! …continue reading…
A True Jazz Legend
A True Jazz Legend is a documentary in the process of being filmed by a collective known as Orangethenblue. It’s the story of a grandson’s discovery and exploration of a grandfather’s life in music. The grandson is Kevin Ellington Mingus and the grandfather — Charles Mingus.
Sounds like it could be an interesting addition to the Mingus lore.
More info: Orangethenblue
Hermeto Pascoal Tribute
Just came back from checking out guitarist Christopher Cargnello and pianist David Ryshpan at Bily Kun. They played some challenging music from the multi-instrumentalist composer Hermeto Pascoal.
Inspired by 41 new pieces offered to the public for download, the impromptu duo was a way for Cargnello and Ryshpan to honour a musician they’ve been obsessed with for some time. Pascoal turns 75 tomorrow.