Last Sunday

[Larry Kart]

caught Josh Berman, Keefe Jackson, Jason Roebke, and drummer Bill Harris at the Hungry Brain. Excellent. Harris, new to me, is a find -- very tasty, big ears. Now that Frank Rosaly is in Amsterdam, the Chicago scene needs a drummer like Harris. Everyone was in top form, playing pieces from Josh's Delmark albums "A Dance and a Hop" and "Old Idea." Josh's cornet sounded so rich and golden that I asked if  ff he had had work done on it, He said, "No, just lots of practice." Keefe, with his gruff warm tone, was swinging so hard at times that I once again had the thought that he was as an admirer of Don Byas. Mentioned this to Josh, and he said, Oh., absolutely."

[mjazzg]

Would love to see those musicians, and some other Chicagoans (native and assimilated), in the UK.

When my lottery numbers come in I fully intend to pay for Cafe Oto to put on a Chicago evening. Until then, I dream and read reports like this

[jlhoots]

3 hours ago, Larry Kart said:

caught Josh Berman, Keefe Jackson, Jason Roebke, and drummer Bill Harris at the Hungry Brain. Excellent. Harris, new to me, is a find -- very tasty, big ears. Now that Frank Rosaly is in Amsterdam, the Chicago scene needs a drummer like Harris. Everyone was in top form, playing pieces from Josh's Delmark albums "A Dance and a Hop" and "Old Idea." Josh's cornet sounded so rich and golden that I asked if  ff he had had work done on it, He said, "No, just lots of practice." Keefe, with his gruff warm tone, was swinging so hard at times that I once again had the thought that he was as an admirer of Don Byas. Mentioned this to Josh, and he said, Oh., absolutely."

Berman is on the new CD by Juan Vinuesa (tenor sax) who I'd never heard before. Darn good IMO.

[Larry Kart]

Picked that up at the gig. Haven't listened yet.