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Clark Terry, Duke with a Difference (Riverside/OJC)

Melissa Aldana, Echoes of the Inner Prophet (Blue Note)

"It's just music. It's playing clean and looking for the pretty notes." C. Parker

Yes, Andre 3000 stole my seat. But seriously, the Shabaka concert at Big Ears was a great concert, one of the very best I heard at the Festival.

At the Shabaka Big Ears concert, my preferred seating at the Bijou Theater (a balcony above the right side of the stage) was blocked off and reserved for some "VIPs." So I went to the Balcony on the other side. I assume it was for Andre 3000 and his entourage, who also was performing at the Festival. The theater was kept very dark throughout the concert, so you could not see who it was, and at the end of the concert when the lights came up, the VIPs had been safely escorted away (whew!). Up with Donald Byrd (Verve) Lou Donaldson, Musty Rusty (Cadet) Don Byas, MIdnight at Minton's (Onyx)

Zimbo Trio My copy is supposed to arrive today.

Phineas Newborn, Fabulous Phineas (RCA Living Stereo)

Nicole Glover Plays (Savant)

The Festival has not fundamentally changed. There is still the Jazz Tent, which is all Modern Jazz, with ten to twelve National/International headliners spread out over the course of the festival (this year including Kenny Barron, Charles Lloyd, Lakecia Benjamin, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Samara Joy, Stephon Harris, Legacy of Wayne Shorter, and Amina Figarova). There is also Economy Hall, which is all New Orleans traditional jazz. There is a Blues stage, a Gospel stage, a World music stage (this year they have three African bands and twenty (!) bands from Columbia), a stage that is mostly modern brass bands, a stage that is mostly zydeco, an interview stage (some jazz artists), a diverse obscure music stage including some jazz (Lagniappe Stage). Then three large stages that feature (though not exclusively) pop bands. The latter three are very easy to ignore, as I do. (The exception is the egomaniacal Rolling Stones, who this year are appearing and requiring all other stages to shut down when they perform.) You only need one stage at a time.

Jim Alfredson - Upcoming Spring 2024 shows April 12 - Austin, TX C-Boys Heart and Soul with Janiva Magness April 13 - Humble, TX Charles Bender Performing Arts Center with Janiva Magness April 14 - Houston, TX Dan Electro's Guitar Bar with Janiva Magness

I thought about doing it mail order, but then I decided to check the pick up myself box, as I've been on a post office losing streak lately.

I purchased two sets online; in a short time I got an email that they were ready to be picked up; when I got there they were set aside behind the counter waiting for me. No problem at all.

https://downbeat.com/news/detail/jazz-emerges-as-essential-component-of-knoxvilles-big-ears-festival?fbclid=IwAR33HRzAS9VAh-L3I_D0bIb25ft3vX7GbhNeSdZGFJzX8VHkVa_uHMocHQY_aem_ATXDFImdO9iRrmnqhSE3i1O1pQPaiwxsNFi6SzfWeb_O2fyY9ZFMViHEIV-HWgwzccbPjU6YH8EgOqUXp5Gdt4Jm

Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, Live in Vegas 1963, Volume 1 (Hindsight)

Last night, Herbie Hancock at the Winspear Opera House.