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I've been listening to a lot of Art lately. Neon Art, the above and a Pete Jolly + friends on Atlas. The latter was so dull that its the first Art to hit my for sale pile. Smack Up however is one of his best early phase albums. Generally I prefer late Art but still have a lot of time for the earlier material. Art Pepper Quintet --- "Smack Up" .........( Vogue UK mono)

Mine too. Past Perfect Silver Line label. Time to spin it again now, I guess.

At least up here in Maine, this is mainly due to asinine pricing by the cable monopolies. When I first got cable here in Maine, it was $99/month for a "triple play" package (cable/internet/phone), which I got simply for the price as I never even hooked up a landline phone when I moved here. Within a year of moving in, Time/Warner cable was bought by Spectrum. This company is run by idiots. Total idiots. When my initial $99 offer ran out, they wouldn't give me any deals. Year after year it kept going up until it got to $220/month. When I called to ask for a better deal, they said it would continue to go up until it hit $320/month, which they said was the "standard" price for my package. I tried YouTubeTV, liked it and dropped their cable. They were still charging me $80/month just for internet. When Fidium Fiber arrived, I switched to them for $25/month. So Spectrum could have easily kept getting at least $100/month from me but due to their stupidity, they get $0.00.

I really liked him in Pink Floyd.

Starting off with another disc from the “Enjoying the Ride” Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary box set, Frost Amphitheater, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (8/20/83), disc 1 Only 5 more discs to go in this set. I’m pretty ambivalent about this set overall, fun to go through, don’t think I’ll be revisiting it often, may put it up for sale. 234×155 23 KB

Niculin Janett Quartett feat. Rich Perry - No Parking Any Time (QFTF)

Paul Schrader, who is reasonably active on Facebook, posted that when he first heard about the remake, he thought it was a fool's errand. After seeing it, he thought that Lee had proved him wrong, and that it compared quite favorably with the original. A lot of the followup comments disagreed quite strongly with that assessment, characterizing it in terms ranging from a mess to flat-out terrible, but there were also quite a few people that loved it.

And in the end this is just the mirrored image of all those sellers on Discogs (and eBay - and Organissimo, FWIW ) who will not ship outside the USA. Understandable, sometimes a real pity, but that's the way it is. Not just now with all those weirdass tariff "politics" right now but for quite some time already due to ever-increasing USPS rates (and probably more involved paperwork or other - perceived or real - uncertainties at the seller's end). BTW, @Stefan Wood: Did you at one time live in Washington, DC? If so, I bought from you through eBay in 2004.

Going to see Gilmore on Saturday night at Lydia's in Stoneridge. appearing with Syracuse, Siegel plus Don Byron.

Release date September 12: One unmistakable sign of a true creative is an uncanny ability to find new ways to express themselves. Sometimes this manifests in new methods for exploring and developing their art. Pianist/composer Michael Wolff looked to beat-making and looping software to help him write new music, which he then arranged for his talented and dedicated Trio, featuring bassist Ben Allison and drummer Allan Mednard. The results are heard on Wolff's new recording, Sunny Day, a fantastic example of jazz swinging in and out of the tradition.Wolff has covered a lot of ground musically in his career. His Trio with Allison and Mednard coalesced while Wolff was miraculously recovering from a near terminal bout with cancer. Allison was one of the first to visit and jam with Wolff as he built his chops back up. Mednard came on board with Allison's suggestion for a fundraising concert for WBGO. As the Trio was present for Wolff's reenergizing, they have remained the pianist's go to ensemble for his diverse projects, never missing a beat. During the pandemic, Wolff began a collaboration with his Berkeley High School friend, producer Nicolaas tenBroek. The two began to experiment with Maschine beat-making software, a regular tool for hip-hop artists. Maschine gave the musicians electronic percussion and synth sounds that they would mold into loops. From there, Wolff would improvise on the loops and record the results. Wolff and tenBroek would then cut and splice together compositions in a sort of musique concrète fashion. Wolff then would orchestrate the pieces in arrangements for the Trio. Allison and Mednard were added to the preassembled loops at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn on May 18 and 19, 2024. Without any instruction, the Trio was able to provide loose and adventurous takes of the material over the source loops. Once the versions with instrumentalists were finished, Wolff and tenBroek went back to the recordings, taking out pieces and amplifying others to create a unique and exciting mix of live acoustic and looped digital sources. There is a joyous nature in the music of Michael Wolff. He has been able to amplify this through his work with his Trio of Ben Allison and Allan Mednard over the past decade. On Sunny Day, the group finds a new way to burnish their trademark sound with a new contemporary approach with loops crafted to lift the music even higher.

Following a 15-year immersion into the vivid, kaleidoscopic world of the legendary Hermeto Pascoal's Group, pianist Jovino Santos Neto made his way from Rio de Janeiro to Seattle in 1993 to set up shop at the Cornish College of the Arts, a thriving incubator of eclectic creativity since the early 1900s. Within weeks he was initiating Seattle musicians into his unique blend of Brazilian, classical and jazz, and quickly formed a group with fellow faculty members to workshop his non-stop output of new compositions. This live recording captures the very first public performance of his now 30-year-old Quarteto, featuring Jovino's compositions unveiled to an enthusiastic crowd at Seattle's historic Kerry Hall on April 28, 1995. With Hans Teuber on saxophones and flute, Mark Ivester on drums and Chuck Deardorf on bass, the evening marks the beginning of a love affair between the city and the abundant force of Pascoal's legacy through his apprentice's exhilarating musical presence. Jovino discovered the tapes from the concert recently and saw the release of them as a fitting and loving tribute to Chuck Deardorf, who was a pivotal member of the ensemble until his passing in 2022. "Everything Santos Neto plays feels like an affirmation of life, creativity and love." Dora Stoutzker Hall, Cardiff, Seen and Heard International. "A brilliant and intuitive keyboard player and flutist who explores jazz, classical and Brazilian traditional music with equal zeal" - Seattle Times With this debut recording, Belgian pianist Milan Verbist takes another leap in a career that's felt destined to thrive since he was a young boy. The music and activities that filled the days of his father, esteemed bassist Piet Verbist, supplied Milan with a deep well of influences, lessons, and direction, all well-apparent in the patient, dynamic and utterly mature approach his trio takes on this collection of mostly original compositions. Opening with the spacious ballad, "Time Change," Milan, bassist Toon Rumen and drummer Jens Meijer allow the music to unfold through all manner of moods and harmonic landscapes, supplying hints of the masters he's been influenced by as they play the music of Ornette, Gary Peacock, and even Bach, interspersed with five of Milan's compositions. Without a doubt, a career and voice to pay attention to. "A new generation of jazz musicians appears to be taking over, and you couldn't ask for better news. Their interplay is impeccable, and their camaraderie is impeccable. A mountain of atmosphere awaited us - powerful, convincing, subtle..." - PitNieuws (Belgium)

For over four decades, Danish guitarist and composer Pierre Dorge has pushed the boundaries of jazz with a highly personal voice-combining Nordic lyricism with global rhythms, and crafting what critics call "pan-cultural jazz." On Songs for Mbizo, Dorge returns in a stripped-down quartet setting that showcases his singular tone and spiritual depth, this time in tribute to South African bassist Johnny "Mbizo" Dyani, whose legacy courses through Dorge's music like a vibrant thread.Following celebrated small-group releases such as Ballad Round the Left Corner and Blui, this new live recording features Kirk Knuffke, Thommy Andersson, and Martin Andersen (drums)-a dynamic international lineup that breathes fresh intensity into Dyani's compositions. Award-winning trumpeter/composer/arranger Jason Palmer, a fixture of the Boston jazz scene and frequent SteepleChase recording artist, presents his boldest artistic statement to date with this intimate duo recording. Shorter Songs marks Palmer's first commercially released duo album and pays homage to jazz legend Wayne Shorter through a series of original contrafacts based on Shorter's compositions.Joined by acclaimed pianist Kevin Harris-his longtime musical ally-Palmer explores the emotional and harmonic depth of Shorter's writing while bringing his own contemporary sensibilities into play. "Palmer has proven to be one of the most compelling artists of his generation." (Ken Dryden - NYC Jazz Record) Release date October 10: Saxophonist-composer Chris Byars, praised as a modern master of ensemble writing and conceptual storytelling, delivers new album The Dark Forest his fifteenth release on SteepleChase and perhaps his most introspective to date. Byars' signature Original Jazz Sextet achieves remarkable harmonic and emotional depth through intricate voicings and counterpoint. Critics have celebrated Byars as a visionary of new bop vocabulary. His previous albums like Boptics and Rhythm and Blues of the 20s drew accolades for their smart, infectious writing and engaging solo showcases. "... he knows his musicians so well, Byars is masterful in his writing, blending the reeds and trombone in intricate ensembles while letting the soloists all shine throughout." (Ken Dryden - New York City Jazz Record on SCCD 31929) Release date September 12: Veteran bassist Scott Lee, renowned for his innovative compositions and masterful performances, brings a fresh and dynamic energy to this his fourth release on SteepleChase. Lee's vision of the bass as a melodic force, alongside pianist Vazquez and drummer Hirshfield, pushes the narrative in unexpected directions. Since moving to NY in the late 70s. Lee has worked with Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Zoot Simms, Al Cohn, Freddie Hubbard, Red Rodney, Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano to mention a few. Bill Smith of JazzTimes comments on One Thought (SCCD 31687)," Leader and bassist Scott Lee offers simple yet thought-provoking music. Those who feel that jazz is losing it's creative edge should hear this album and other basically mainstream offerings of the last few years."

Release date September 26: Jazz guitarist Thom Rotella is back and this new release finds him spinning some soulful, sophisticated jazz that fans of his previous Savant Record, Side Hustle, won't want to miss. Over the years, Rotella has worked with some serious heavyweights like Norah Jones, Seth MacFarlane, Diane Schuur, and Stanley Turrentine, carving out a name for himself as a go-to guitarist in the world of jazz, pop, and studio work. On this project, though, the vibe is all about connection, chemistry, and that illusive spot where taste meets feelings. The always-funky Wil Blades on organ and the dynamic Charles Ruggiero on drums are on hand, laying down a rich, organic foundation for Rotella's blues-tinged guitar work to build upon. And that's just the beginning. Saxophone great Ernie Watts lends his unmistakable tone and lyrical phrasing to a few standout tracks, while trumpeter/composer Jeremy Pelt adds some brassy brilliance of his own. And on a couple of cuts, the always-stunning Tierney Sutton steps in with some haunting, wordless vocals that add a shimmering layer of depth, elegance, and quiet intensity to the music. Whether you've been following Rotella for years or are just joining the party, this record welcomes you from the first track. It's warm, it's savvy, and above all, it's honest. Just great players making outstanding music together. Tenor saxophonist JD Allen, well known for pushing the envelope with albums that mix electronics and advanced compositional techniques, takes a striking turn on his latest release. This time, he sets aside the modernist experiments and heads straight for the heart with an album made up entirely of ballads from the Great American Songbook. It's an unexpected move from Allen, and it reveals a different side of his playing-warm, introspective, and deeply lyrical. For this outing, he expands his usual chordless trio by bringing pianist Brandon McCune into the mix, joining longtime collaborators Ian Kenselaar on bass and Nic Cacioppo on drums. The addition of a piano brings a new layer of harmonic color, expanding the expressive range of the entire group while exploring the emotional possibilities within these classic standards. A soulful, stripped-down take on timeless tunes, this album showcases the depth and honesty JD Allen is known for, as he invites his colleagues to slow down and express something personal-with clarity, restraint, and quiet power.

Release date August 29: His expansive, deeply lyrical and blues-drenched approach to modern jazz has made Seattle pianist Marc Seales a favorite sideman of touring luminaries for decades. In particular, long associations with Mark Murphy, Larry Coryell and Ernie Watts turned into albums, tours and lasting friendships. Seales returns the invite on "People & Places" by making a trip to saxophonist Ernie Watts' home turf in Los Angeles, teaming with him and Watts' longtime bandmate, bassist Bruce Lett, and taking advantage of the locale to reconnect with drummer Moyes Lucas, Jr, who goes back with Seales to the early '80s in Seattle. While pulling together a collection of originals that span the last 30 years, along with a take on Wayne Shorter's "Palladium," the album's through line slowly became apparent - it's all about the people & places, and the collaborations found & nurtured through the years. Though retired after an inspired 38-year career at the University of Washington, Seales continues on that fruitful path. Astonishingly vivid electronic colorations balanced within acoustic performances; Perhaps the strongest facet of Marc Seales' playing is that he's always "in the moment." All About Jazz Release date September 19: With a wide-ranging virtuosic fluidity, D.C.-based guitarist Shawn Purcell draws on an abundance of musical influences and a refined ensemble cohesion in crafting the journey that "Oblivity" leads. Inviting the acclaimed saxophonist Walt Weiskopf to share the front line, they energize this dynamic quintet set of all original compositions, along with Purcell's longtime bandmates Chris Ziemba on piano, bassist Jeff Reed, and drummer Steve Fidyk. Darden Purcell also orchestrates several melodies with her wordless vocals and trombonist Ben Patterson guests on two compositions. From searing, fusion-adjacent moments, to fiery post-bop, and spacious, sensitive ballads, Oblivity displays an artful and compelling sonic experience. "Every once in a while, an album will come your way that both delights and impresses the ear. Like shooting stars, these are not completely rare occurrences but it's the fortunate person who gets to enjoy the experience... This album makes a statement and says a lot." Peter Erskine

Release date September 5: For his debut leader project on SteepleChase, Bollenback chose a bold and distinct approach, opting for a guitar and bass duo format. Teaming up with bassist Boris Kozlov, a three-time Grammy winner. Bollenback explores new musical territories with a mix of original compositions by Bollenback and Kozlov, along with jazz standards that highlight their exceptional musical connection and rhythmic synergy. Renowned for his versatility and dynamism on the guitar, Bollenback's unique approach to jazz and blues has earned him accolades from legends like George Benson, who praised him as a "versatile dynamo on guitar." Over the years, Bollenback has collaborated with numerous jazz greats, including organist Joey DeFrancesco, appearing on nineteen of his albums and earning a Grammy nomination for co-producing 2011's Never Can Say Goodbye. Release date October 17: Twenty years after their acclaimed trilogy, Eric Rasmussen and his long-standing quartet return with School of Tristano 4-a revelatory deep dive into the compositions and aesthetics of Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz, and Warne Marsh, paired with striking originals. Drawing from decades of study, stage experience, and personal connection, Rasmussen's quartet reinvents this rich, often-underrepresented repertoire with stunning clarity, warmth, and spontaneity.While the album brims with telepathic interplay and ensemble finesse, Rasmussen's alto saxophone sings with a personal voice, never imitative, always rooted in the language of deep jazz tradition but reaching forward. Guitarist Nate Radley, bassist Dave Ambrosio, and drummer Mark Ferber bring unmatched sensitivity, groove, and lyrical depth. School of Tristano 4 offers both serious jazz heads and adventurous listeners a fresh insight into classic modernist repertoire-an album that resonates with the spirit of Tristano while speaking entirely in the quartet's own voice. With over 30 leader/co-leader albums on SteepleChase, Andy LaVerne stands as one of jazz's most quietly fearless innovators. His new project, Crystal Night, expands the dynamic chemistry of his acclaimed trio-bassist Mike Richmond and drummer Jason Tiemann-by adding vibraphone's rising star Sasha Berliner, whose artistry evokes the spirit of Bobby Hutcherson and Gary Burton while charting her own path.This quartet offering features ten newly written LaVerne compositions, each meticulously designed to explore subtle harmonic colors, metric shifts, and emotional depth. From the title track's crystalline lyricism to the explosive energy of "Power Play" and the gently introspective "Second Thoughts," Crystal Night is a study in texture, trust, and ensemble clarity. "If you haven't known Andy LaVene ever, This ine is a perfect introduction. It's lyrical, musicaly intensive and most eloquent." (Ole Mayyiemen - Jazz Special on SCCD 31818 Genesis) Tenor saxophonist Rich Perry returns with Dream, his 28th release on SteepleChase, reaffirming his place as one of the most introspective and lyrical voices in modern jazz. Joined by his long-standing quartet-Gary Versace (piano), Jay Anderson (bass), and John Riley (drums)-Perry crafts a set that is both timeless and deeply personal reflecting his evolving artistry and minimalist elegance.Critics have long praised Perry's "impeccable taste" and "subtle articulation" (JazzTimes), his "adventurous yet highly listenable" approach (All About Jazz), and his ability to "imbue each tune with intense feeling." Perry summarizes Dream as "a document of where I'm at right now... this is the kind of album I like to listen to."

More news about television consumption. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/summer-tv-ratings-collapse-puts-advertisers-bind Prime time commercial ratings for broadcast ex-sports were down 20% yoy in 3Q25-to-date (through week ending August 10). Prime time commercial ratings decreased 54% for broadcast including sports and declined -28% for cable, in 3Q25-to-date (through week ending August 10).

Release date October 10: Legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd convened a new trio of musical explorers with Jason Moran on piano and Marvin Sewell on guitar for his 87th birthday concert at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara and immediately brought them into the studio to record his remarkable twelfth Blue Note album, Figure In Blue. The spacious double album travels wide expanses of musical terrain from beautiful ballads to raw Delta blues and includes stunning homages to both Duke Ellington and Zakir Hussain. Release date September 12: Alts 'N Outs: The Other Side of Blue Note is a compilation of alternate takes & outtakes from iconic Blue Note sessions by Cannonball Adderley, Grant Green, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith & Sonny Clark. Available on 180g black vinyl.

I hope this is true. It would change everything.

David Gilmore (g), Rich Syracuse (b), Jeff Siegel (d), monthly jazz night at a pizza restaurant. It was really excellent. Gilmore is impressive.