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https://store.bluenote.com/products/frank-sinatra-in-the-wee-small-hours-lp-tone-poet-vinyl-edition November 14

The Hendrix re-releases have been going on for decades. I have seen a song released first as a 4-minute version, then years later the release of “the complete” 6-minute version of the recording, then came the release of the remastered version, etc. Now I rarely buy Hendrix releases – but I did get the Band of Gypsys box set.

I got to see/hear her perform with Lou several times and she was great. Gone too soon. Mike Ledonne's post on Facebook: My dear friend, Akiko Tsuruga, has passed away. Her departure was much too soon and too sudden, and it's one of those moments that is very hard to wrap your head around. She had been ill for the past year, but I had no idea that she was declining until yesterday, when I was informed she was in the hospital, and then this morning I saw that she had passed. I met her over 30 years ago when she was still in high school in Japan. I was playing with Milt Jackson's Quartet in Osaka, and somebody set up an after-hours performance/master class for a bunch of young students at a place called "Subway". At one point, this young lady raised her hand and asked me how I was able to accompany Milt Jackson when he played his out-of-tempo intros. I was surprised anyone there asked me anything because on the bandstand with me were great masters like Bags, Bob Cranshaw, and Mickey Roker. My answer was brief and to the point. I said "Listen". She would always remind me about that. Fast forward years later, and I'm playing at Showman's with my old buddy, and great tenor player Jerry Weldon, and these 2 young Japanese ladies came in and sat right at the front of the bar. This was the night of Akiko's arrival in New York City. They were there all night, and I found out Akiko was an organ player, so I let her sit in and was impressed with all she already had together on the instrument. We became lifelong friends and colleagues. I would go see her play with Lou Donaldson, and both Lou and Akiko would come to see me when I was at Smoke every Tuesday. She was always a very humble and sweet person with a big, beautiful smile. She was also very close with Dr Lonnie Smith, who was a mentor to her. Together, we organized a birthday concert over Zoom for Dr Lonnie when he was ill and couldn't get out of bed. All of the great organ players in NYC and the surrounding areas went down to a performance space in New Jersey that had a Hammond Organ. Dan Kostelnik, a great player who lives in Jersey, brought a second Hammond so we could all play together with the different rhythm sections. It was a great day of organ music with at least 11 or 12 organ players playing for Lonnie as he watched from his home. He absolutely loved it, and we loved him. That is how the organ community is, and Akiko was the Queen of the community. She had so much energy in her playing, and the longer she lived here, the deeper her playing got. Her bass lines were right in the pocket, and it was wonderful to hear her growth and watch her ascend to becoming one of the best organ players in the world. She tirelessly schlepped her keyboard and gear from place to place for her gigs. When she played, you could see the joy on her face because she was living her dream. She married another old and dear friend of mine, the great trumpet player, Joe Magnarelli. We all thought Joe would be a lifelong bachelor, but Akiko changed all that. Mags fell in love with her, and they settled down together. To my ears, Akiko's playing got even deeper after that point. She was no longer trying to be an organ player like the greats; she was one of the greats. We were both playing at the Vail Jazz festival a couple of years ago, and the picture is from our Gondola ride to the top of the mountain, where I wound up getting a pretty bad sunburn even though it wasn't that hot out. Renee Rosnes came with us and took that picture. We were like the 3 Musketeers that weekend, and we had so much fun that we tried to keep it going when we got home, but, of course, with busy schedules and life's responsibilities, we never did. I can't believe Akiko is gone. Of all the people I know, she was the last one I would have thought would get so ill that we would lose her, but that is the case, and I'm very sad to lose her. This one hurts. My heart goes out to Joe Magnarelli and to Akiko's family. Never take life or friendships for granted because you never know if you'll see each other again! R.I.P Akiko - you did GREAT!

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/us/lost-postcard-united-nations.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mE8.Z_xD.QUKHFaMgZIbs&smid=url-share

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I've always been a huge Jimi fan and have bought most of the major releases, collections and re-releases and many of the minor ones too. But I'm on the fence about this one. It's obviously one of his iconic albums, but I just don't think I need another collection of studio outtakes, false starts, and alternate versions. I would think that anything worthwhile or unusual from the vault has been released already. Look forward to hearing your reviews when it's released.

I only attended one night (Friday) of this festival, but it was very enjoyable. And if it continues, very promising for the future. It took place in the Roscoe Village neighborhood north of downtown Chicago. Pretty accessible by public transportation, too. You can see the lineup in the link above. Much smaller at this stage than Big Ears: evening shows only, small venues, very walkable between venues, and MUCH cheaper (a single night pass was about $100). The crowds were pretty enthusiastic, too. At the Beat Kitchen (a small rock club): 1) Chicago Underground Duo w/Rob Mazurek, Chad Taylor. A high powered set with Taylor's relentless tribal beats supporting various outbursts on trumpet, electronics and wordless vocals by Mazurek. 2) Jeff Parker Expansion Trio w/Ben Lumsdaine (drums) and Jeremiah Chiu (electronics). Another high energy set with some explosive excursions among the trio, but Parker was definitely in charge of this show. I've never seen him as a leader before - very impressive. At Constellation (a larger performance space a few blocks away): 3) Mary Halvorson: Amaryllis Sextet (Patricia Brennan, Nick Dunston, Tomas Fujiwara, Adam O'Farrill, Jacob Garchik, trombone). A typical Halvorson show - interesting and well rehearsed compositions, with professional performances by everyone involved. I've seen this group at least once, and Mary countless times. She somehow seems to be everywhere, all the time. I've seen her more than any other musician in the past several years - either with her own groups or in other collaborations. So, something to keep an eye out for next year. Always a pleasure to hang out in Chicago, anyway.

I have been a longtime Kennedy Center subscriber, primarily for jazz and dance. Lots of tremendous shows there over the years. My last jazz performance there for me this season was Jason Moran & Friends in late April. Those friends were Wadada Leo Smith, Sylvie Courvoisier, Mary Halvorson, Nicole Mitchell, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Reggie Workman. Over the years, the jazz program was notorious for being the last to announce its schedule. Two months ago, I exchanged emails with Kevin gently asking if/when a subscription series might be announced. He suggested (...not too strongly) that something might get announced late August/early September. So prior to this most recent news, I would occasionally check the website. What “jazz” is currently scheduled? There are a few free performances on the Millenium Stage. For ticketed events, the Pan American Symphony Orchestra will present Tango of the Americas in October and one week later, the Glenn Miller Orchestra performs. Seriously. Check out their current suits. As of this writing, that is the jazz program at Kennedy Center.

I have good news for those of us in the US. According to the schedule, the television broadcasts of every remaining regular season game (except the Columbus Day Ottawa - Montreal game) will be available for free on the league's website cfl.ca. https://www.cfl.ca/2025-cfl-broadcast-schedule/ ***** more on Wpg-Ham https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-scores-today-winnipeg-blue-bombers-21-hamilton-tiger-cats-32-tiger-cats-dominate-friday-night-football-at-home/ ***** more on Ott-BC https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-scores-today-ottawa-redblacks-27-bc-lions-38-lions-end-three-game-skid-with-dominant-home-victory/ ***** more on Edm-Tor https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-scores-today-edmonton-elks-30-toronto-argonauts-31-argos-complete-comeback-victory-on-walk-off-field-goal/ ***** more on Mtl-Sask https://www.cfl.ca/2025/09/14/recap-montreal-48-saskatchewan-31/ https://3downnation.com/2025/09/14/montreal-alouettes-blow-past-the-riders-end-their-slide-six-other-thoughts/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riders-get-buried-and-exhumed-by-philpot-alouettes-in-48-31-loss/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-september-14-2025/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/rough-performance-by-the-saskatchewan-roughriders-defense/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-scores-today-montreal-alouettes-48-saskatchewan-roughriders-31-tyson-philpot-explodes-for-238-yards-in-road-victory/

This afternoon, first disc:

Lowering the price to $25 per release. If you have another offer, send me a PM!

QUESTION: Am I just hallucinating that there was a disc of all Tina tunes?? (or nearly all Tina tunes) — recorded by somebody more recently? (Within the last 25 years, more likely the last dozen years.)

Verve UMV 2571 (Japan 1975) - Bud Powell " Bud Powell '57" - rec. 1954 & 1955

Atlantic Jazzlore Series version

More Phil Woods:

Thanks.

Listening to this album again: Buster Williams plays on four of seven tracks on this album. Buster sounds so good that I wish he'd have played on the whole LP. This is one of those records that I have a clear preference for Side A over Side B. Also:

Sad news. R.I.P. But what a legacy!!! Thanks for sharing this story.