Justin V

I first became aware of Perry Robinson through Anat Fort's excellent A Long Story (with Paul Motian and Ed Schuller). Because of that album, I made it a point to catch him with Muruga Booker in Detroit. He stood out in what was a charmingly wacky group. I still need to check out Funk Dumpling. Thank you for the music, Mr. Robinson, and rest in peace.

I actually own more albums by AEC members than I do by the group itself. I wish that Jarman had been documented more as a leader; Connecting Spirits and Calypso's Smile are challenging and deep without sacrificing warmth and accessibility. I am looking forward to hearing more of his work. Thank you for the music, Mr. Jarman, and rest in peace.

I am listening to the Chateauvallon concert with Dizzy. I found an obscure CD release featuring material not on the DVD with some more burning Dizzy and Getz joining them on a track. It is one heck of a concert recording.

After so many greats left us in 2018, I simply wish for the continued health of those who are still with us.

Dang. I never knew that Dennis had left us at such a young age. That Debut album is nice.

Kyle Asche - Blues for Mel: Asche is the real deal. I have his other excellent leader date, The Hook Up, as well as Dig On It by The Skinny, his funk-jazz group.

Roy Patterson - On a Cloud: Although the presence of the marvelous (and underappreciated) Ingrid Jensen attracted me to this one, Canadian guitarist Roy Patterson is impressive. Discovering new artists through their choice of band members is a joy.

Roy Haynes - Out of the Afternoon

Roy Haynes - Cracklin'

Roy Brooks - The Free Slave, with George Coleman, Woody Shaw, Hugh Lawson and Cecil McBee.

A Kenn Cox reissue is certainly a joyful noise deserving of applause. I once caught the small-group part of a Kenn Cox tribute at the Detroit Jazz Festival. It was something to hear Contemporary Jazz Quintet bassist Ron Brooks, still in excellent form, revisiting classic CJQ material. Cox's duo album with Donald Walden is also great.

This would irritate me like when I bought the Brownie Emarcy box and it didn't come with the mini disc.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Donaldson!

I read one Connolly book and vaguely recall some supernatural element. It was okay for what it was, but it didn't lead me to further explore his books.

CD.

When I was at Amoeba in LA 6 months ago, I ended up passing on both Heaven on Earth for 10 or 15 bucks and a chunk of the Young Mosaic for 25 or 30 bucks. When you are at places like Amoeba or Princeton Record Exchange, tough choices must be made. I rationalized it by telling myself that I could pick up the download, but I wish that I hadn't decided to be cheap.

Roy Haynes - Cracklin': I have wanted to hear this one for years and finally bought the Japanese version. This is vintage Roy and worth the wait.

I have two of his albums and they are a lot of fun. I wish that I could've seen him perform live. Thank you for the music, Mr. Gonzalez, and rest in peace.

Amir ElSaffar - Two Rivers: It's been a few years since I've listened to this, but it is just as brilliant as I remember. I'll finally be catching ElSaffar live in two weeks (from the front row, no less).

George Russell - The 80th Birthday Concert: Aside from a track on a Bill Evans album of odds and ends, I am unfamiliar with Russell's music.

Gillespiana/Carnegie Hall Concert was the first jazz album I ever bought, so Schifrin holds a special place in my heart. I recommend Lalo Schifrin & Friends, a 2007 album with James Moody, James Morrison, Dennis Budimir, Brian Bromberg and Alex Acuna.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Rollins!

Satoko Fujii - Jo: I enjoyed my first listen to this one without looking up the personnel first. I received one of her albums a few years ago and my dog ate it when it was still in the shipping envelope.

I listened to Alegria yesterday to celebrate. I hope Wayne had a great birthday.

Your acting like you are the only one here listening to new and exciting music or catching it live (when, in fact, you listen to a pretty narrow spectrum of improvised music) is getting old.