Ethan Iverson strikes again, with a multi-part and remarkably detailed analysis of the music and influence of pianist Lennie Tristano over at Do The Math. I'm not extremely well-versed in Tristano's music, or even that of his acolytes, so this was an eye-opening read for me. Bravo.
Just a quick reminder that "A Private Audience With Al Gallodoro" airs this Friday evening at 9:00 on WSKG (Jazz In Silhouette will get underway an hour later than usual this week), with a rebroadcast Sunday at noon on WSQX 91.5. Al and pianist JoAnn Chimielowski joined expert engineer Gregory Keeler and me in the studio to perform some tunes and reminisce about his remarkable career. Tune in to hear Al tell about starting his professional career while in his early teens, his years with Paul Whiteman's band, and even the one thing he won't eat! And you'll get to hear his alto sax and bass clarinet work on tunes like "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "Cherokee." It was a delight to record this program with Al and JoAnn and I'm sure you'll enjoy the results. Don't miss it!
Trombonist George Lewis has authored a new history of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, the musicians collective founded in Chicago in 1965 and still active today. Looks interesting!
Clarinetist/saxophonist Jimmy Giuffre, one of the original "Four Brothers" of Woody Herman's band (and composer of the tune of the same name), died last Thursday at the age of 86. Giuffre performed and recorded a wide variety of distinctive and often adventurous music throughout his long career. NY Times obit can be read here.
Sad to hear that the International Association For Jazz Education has filed for bankruptcy. Here's a couple of articles on the matter from All About Jazz and JazzTimes.
April 19th is Record Store Day. Patronage of your local (preferrably non-chain) record store is highly encouraged.
Eastern Blok (formerly know as The Goran Ivonovic Group) brought their intriguing blend of jazz and Balkan folk music to the Night Eagle Cafe last night for two splendid sets of spirited music. The band includes Goran Ivonovic on guitar, Matt Ulery on upright bass, Michael Caskey on drums, and Doug rosenberg on sax,flute and clarinet. The musicianship on display was mightily impressive, as the players negotiated the tricky and frequently odd-metred rhythms with both skill and passion. The show was sadly underattended, but the 20 or so audience members made up for their small number with an enthusiastic response. This is a band that deserves a large following and based on their performance last night, I can only assume they'll find it. At any rate, don't miss them the next time they take the stage in our area. You won't regret it, and you'll probably be kicking yourself for missing them this time around.
I caught The Bad Plus last night in Albany, at WAMC's Linda Norris Auditorium. It's taken me a while to warm up to the band, but I definitely now consider myself a fan, and live is where this trio of musicians really shine. The group played quite a bit of new material (or at least tunes I didn't recognize), along with selections from their latest release, "Prog." It all sounded great. The precision The Bad Plus is capable of live is at times awe-inspiring. I'm especially impressed by drummer David King, who's not only got chops galore but is so much fun to watch on the bandstand. Wide grin plastered across his face, the man just looks like he's having a blast, and his energy is infectious. Actually, the same could be said for the entire band, and the reaction they received from the audience was enthusiastic to say the least. I understand the mixed reception The Bad Plus had received from some quarters of the jazz fanbase (while at the same time attracting a wide following outside of the usual jazz cognoscenti). Theirs is a distinctive and particularly modern take on the jazz piano trio format, and it simply may not be for everyone. As mentioned above, even I was a bit skeptical at first. But even if you've already decided you don't care for their particular sound and approach, I highly recommend catching the group live if at all possible. They just might win you over.
Also, a quick reminder that jazz guitar legend Pat Martino brings his quartet to the Corning Museum Of Glass tomorrow night at 8pm. WSKG's Ken Campbell and myself will be in atttendance, so feel free to say hello if you're so inclined.
Bassist Dennis Irwin passed away Monday at the age of 56. Irwin was one of the most in-demand rhythm players on the contemporary jazz scene. His enormous discography - over 500 recordings - is testament to the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow musicians. Here's the NY Times obit. Very sad.
