Justin V

A surprise for me was Al Sears, whom I hadn't heard much about before. His playing reminds me of Ike Quebec. Sandwiched between Webster and Gonsalves' tenures, I guess Sears gets overlooked, but I enjoy his playing.

Thanks for posting this. Horizon was one of the last concerts I saw before the pandemic hit the US and Lewis sounded as splendid as always. It looks like the community is stepping up.

Y I've ripped the whole set after finding it last week. I have all of the discs organized into playlists and I'm now on the mid-forties material.

About a year ago, I bought the Centennial box and two of the discs skipped. I found it again at a shop last week for $200. When I asked about the return policy, the clerk removed the store's plastic and we discovered that it was a sealed copy! I'm ripping it and the first disc has a minor scratch, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nothing affects play. Assuming everything plays okay, I'm ecstatic to finally have such an important, rewarding set. I have to be at around 70-80 CDs of Duke's music and I feel like I am still scratching the surface.

I've been exploring more of the Reservoir catalog and never got around to listening to Ben-Hur before.

I listened to the Katz and Brignola albums yesterday.

Have you heard the album LaPorta co-led with Britt Woodman and Joe Wilder, Playing for Keeps, with Jack Wilkins and the Schuller brothers as the rhythm section? It's fantastic. Now playing: I'm going through some of the Reservoir catalog now and never heard Boiarsky before.

Uptown and Reservoir have both enriched my life. Rest in peace, Dr. Feldman.

An excellent trio recording. If you open with a Larry Willis tune, you have my full attention.

I grew up watching Sesame Street and my daughter still loves it. When it moved to HBO, they dumbed it down and several beloved cast members, including Bob McGrath, were dropped. We watch the older episodes. Bob McGrath always approached his role with enthusiasm and a twinkle in his eye. RIP.

I think I read that Art Pepper used to call Cables Mister Beautiful. That pretty much sums up his playing and sunny disposition. I know that it is a waste of energy to lament award snubs, but how is Cables not an NEA Jazz Master?!? I just checked and neither are Harper, McBee and Henderson. That is nuts.

This is a really strong big-band date. I plan on checking out more of his music.

I really enjoy Floating in Winter, a duo album with Self and guitarist Chiodini.

Ron Miles and Rudy Royston join Hess on this and another Capri date.

I've acquired several Benny Carter albums over the years from bargain bins and haven't spent a ton of time with them, although I revisited them a few months ago. The newly released Princeton concerts have me thinking that I should be listening to him much more often.

Stanley Jordan also guests on Volume 6. I listened to 4 volumes on YouTube over the weekend. There's a good chance I'll end up buying all 8 volumes.

Alright, that is a fascinating lineup.

After 3 days, I think that I am nearing the end of my Burrell albums. I also had the tracks from the Oliver Nelson and Quincy Jones Mosaics. After that, on to

I'm still going through my Kenny Burrell albums:

More Kenny Burrell:

More Kenny Burrell with The Bass on Top and Whims of Chambers sessions. The sessions with Billy Mitchell, Burrell, Tommy Flanagan, Oscar Pettiford and Shadow Wilson.

After a break to see Steve Swell, Frode Gjerstad, Jon Rune Strom and Paal Nilssen-Love in person, the Burrell fest closes for the night and will open tomorrow with this one.