BeBop

I just replace my own Zune batteries using those eBay battery/tool kits. About $6, as I recall. (I bought a bunch in bulk a couple of years ago.)

Arlington, VA. Presently 90F and headed for 95, they say. Mecifully, the humidity is low at 60 percent. Sure, it's hot. But we got thunderstorms coming in a day of few, with temps in the mid-90s. So I'll enjoy this while I can.

I don't follow sport, but I recall hearing about this man while in Sudan. I can't say I understood everything, but they seemed to like him as a man and as an athlete.

Perhaps my initial assessment was a bit harsh. I spend about four hours a day listening to jazz radio. I tend to think of their choices as "safe", in the sense that...well, there is that pledge drive thing. The stations I listen to heavily feature some of the same artists nominated by the JJA: Kurt Elling*, Joe Lovano*, Maria Schneider, Roberta Gambarini*, Terrence Blanchard*, Nicole Mitchell, Anat Cohen, Kenny Barron*, Dave Holland, Regina Carter*, Stefon Harris*, Paul Motian*. (*-ed names also Bob Parlocha favorites.) They're all fine but they seem rather predictible. Another measure might be Clifford Brown Jr.'s American Jazz Countdown KCSM. Pi Records was, indeed, another surprise, worthy of mention.

I've had mine since they came out. (Bought on preorder.) I do like it quite a bit. I don't think there's anything I can do to sell you/anyone on this device beyond saying that my experience with five Zunes (four first generation; one 32GB HD) FAR exceeded my experience with my predecessor Creatives....except for my 30GB xTra, which still works today, after a long, hard life. The device's features speak for themselves.

Here. How's that for safe choices, even among the nominees, for the most part. Small surprise on soprano sax. Otherwise... Unfortunately, Chuck lost to Blue Note.

40% until the 21st. Valid online.

...and why I miss Seattle. Throw in a little Bumbershoot for the pop-pier crowd, and a good time was had by all.

Holy smokes. My post count just made a pretty substantial bump-up. I've wasted more of everyone's time/storage space than I thought. There I go again...

Thanks, Mr. Dixon. I'll keep enjoying what you left us.

I'm with you on McCoy Tyner. It took me a while to hear "past" his distinctive chording, which, to me, gave much of what he played a "sameness" that, frankly, didn't appeal. I suppose even today, I've got a doseage limit on Tyner.

40% off- yay! In store only - boo! Maybe there's a book you want? Valid through the 17th.

I was wondering if Kenton would come up. It took me a long, long, LONG time to appreciate...about 10 percent of his work. I s'pose I'm still working on the remaining 90 percent, without a lot of enthusiasm. My old roommate used to play Fire, Fury, Fun pretty often. I can't say it "grew on me", but in the right mood, it's capture my attention in a good way.

but no one felt a need to come to Gene's defense or question the sincerity of my assertion. I, for one, knew you were kidding. Heck, I still know you by the initials "GHF".

Gotta defend Bird, come what may. For me, the most sublime artist in any art form whom I've encountered in my long lifetime. Just to be clear, I was kidding. I should have added an emoticon, but I usually pick the wrong one. There are people who equate making money with musical value. I'm not one of them. I suppose I had the several mentions of Brubeck (and Metheny?) in mind with my comments. The guy made a lot of money (I hear), but seems to have connected with the general jazz audience at least as well as he connected with the fanatics. On the other hand, Stan Getz. Stop me before I ramble any further.

Charlie Parker. I meant there's a whole lot more to jazz than inventing, defining and mastering new musical forms of expression. There's also making a lot of money. And, face it, Bird sucked at that. (Mooching, on the other hand, is debatable.)

With any luck, James Carter Organ Trio at Yoshi's SF on the 17th. I've got 12 hours in town. Skip sleep and work efficiently, it just might happen.

I remember seeing Baby Laurence film "Jazz Hoofer" 32-plus years ago. And, of course, the Nicholas Brothers in "Stormy Weather". My moment of joy was meeting the Nicholas Brothers at an Illinois Jacquet concert.

Just testing the waters here - run some names up the "flagpole" for a reaction. Yes, it's tap dancing. Jazz tap. Bunny Briggs, Honi Coles, Will Gaines. This was one of my loves when I was young. It disappeared for my active field of view in 1978, when I gave up television, movies, video, etc. Every once in a while, I get a reminder, when Jo Jones or Max Roach talks (in an interview) about the links between their craft and that of the dancer. Or I'll hear a bit of Laurence's Dancemaster on the radio. Anyone?

Enjoying the Pres set. Well, actually, I'm just reading the book. Can't have music at the moment.

19,875. (On one of the other boards where I hang out, they have threads like "Count Up to 10,000". Now that's good for the total post count, eh?)

Happy Birthday!!!

Amazon's got it, but I was hoping for a price under US$52. Several Japanese sellers list it - on sale even! - but unavailable. Thanks

As opposed to a Proper reissue? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Charlie and Petra Haden (not jazz, I s'pose) Norah Jones and Ravi Shankar (hey, I've left the jazz world entirely) Dizzy Gillespie and James Moody, father and son (just ask Moody)