JazzKitten

Congratulations! Please do tell us more about your new book! JK

I enjoy a version by Dave McKenna and Buddy DeFranco. Just piano and clarinet - very expressive. JK

Congratulations Jim! This is great news indeed! May be you can build some styrofoam stilts for your baby in a few years so he/she can reach the pedals at the B3 Best wishes to you and Mrs. B3er! JazzKitten

Pearls before swine... just my opinion. JK

Good job, Noj! I like your style. You are truly talented! Thanks so much for sharing, and I hope you will be posting more in the near future. JK

I once had the pleasure of sharing some orange soda and a 20 minute conversation with the guy. He's a decent fellow, and my 2nd favorite cutie in the jazz world! JK

Definitely Benny! JK

No one else is jumping in on our group-effort game? JK

Thanks for discovering this site, Big Wheel! You've made it possible for me to reread one of my favorite BNBB discussions about metaphysics... ahem Here, ladies and germs, is the famous Dear Santa thread JazzKitten

Thanks Al! JK

2. c4 I hope more folks will jump in... I might want to play black in the next move JK

Fear not! I'm only a casual player, and don't like to study at all; thus I'm likely to "go out of book" within the first 5 moves. Moreover, I was hoping to find a multi-player tandem chess game, where 3+ players might engage in the same game, taking turns to make the next move and play opposite colors (thereby nullifying any hopes of long term strategem held by one single mind). The original thought was to use our collective wits to think of what the next move ought to be. However, it seems there's potentially too much ego involved in this game, so perhaps I should offer everyone a draw? JK

I'm psyched to discover that one of my favorite young pianists, Benny Green, will be in town (Scullers 8/27) at the end of the month, along with the very exciting and talented guitarrist Russell Malone! I haven't seen him in more than a year. Can't wait!! Anyone else a Benny Green and/or Russell Malone fan here? JK

Yay! Organissimo Tandem Chess! All are welcome, of course. I'll go first - 1. d4 JK

What's Cadence? Would you happen to have their URL please? Thanks! JK

I tried to purchase another copy of this CD through amazon.com several weeks ago, but I've been having horrible luck because amazon keeps delaying their ship date. Has anybody else experienced problems with amazon; and if so, would anyone know where else I could order this? Thanks in advance for your suggestions! JazzKitten

Weapons of Match Destruction

Here's another vote for Terry Pratchett and P.G. Wodehouse! I've read most of Pratchett's "Discworld" series, and I happen to have just started on his Thief of Time. I can hardly put the book down! Here's an unlikely candidate - Neal Stephenson. I just finished Cryptonomicon, which is not really in the humor category, but it's got some gut busting funny passages that are true gems! (e.g. a brilliant WWII cryptograher/mathematician who graphed out his ability to concentrate w.r.t. the number of days passed without sex!) I'll post some more when I think of them. JK

I've assumed the persona of "JazzKitten" for about 4 or 5 years now, since choosing a login name over at the BNBB. I adore little animals, and I have a special affinity for felines because of their independence, grace, intelligence, and playfulness. At first I had thought of calling myself JazzCat, but since I'm still a student of jazz and not yet a fully qualified "Cat", I decided to go by a diminutive form of feline. Q.E.D. JazzKitten

May be it's not meant for imbibing straight-up, but rather as an ingredient for cooking? JK

One thing I do find frustrating is reading chess books. I've tried a few times, but find them way too boring and hard to follow. Has anybody else experienced this? JK P.S. Is there really a difference between "+/-" vs "-/+"?

Speaking only from my personal experience, I find that if I put my ego on the line either while playing chess or trying to churn out a solo while playing the piano, I feel more self conscious and thus feel less inclined to "try new or unexplored routes"... Perhaps by allowing myself to go Zen and not worry about losing in chess and just concentrate on playing the best I can, I can continue to enjoy the game. JK

Yeah, that recipe of yours that the Boston Globe published a few months ago (with roasted red peppers) was very tasty indeed. Trumpet Guy = Renaissance Guy! JK

Mr. Grenadier has managed to delight his fans again with another beautiful CD. I actually like this new one more than his first one, entitled "Sweet Transients". I like the new personnel he has assembled on this disc - Larry Grenadier - Bass, Wind Chimes Kurt Rosenwinkel - Guitar Bill Carrothers - Piano Jeff Ballard - Percussion, Drums, Wind Chimes Phil Grenadier - Trumpet, Producer, Wind Chimes Mr. G created different moods with his horn on the various pieces on the CD. He is a superb trumpeter and composer! I also enjoyed Mr. Carrother's piano playing a LOT!! I'm sure you'll like this assembly of great artists and tunes! You can find this disk on Amazon these days... Click on Image JazzKitten

I have been known to sit in on a few blitz games during the summers at the stone chess tables in Harvard Square (never played for money though, because I know I'd be broke within the first hour). Blitz is exciting, but I find that really sitting down for a significant period of time to ponder each move and its ramifications to be quite thrilling in a different way. One thing I find fascinating is that for the most part, I lack the "killer instinct" when it comes to playing chess, because most of the chess playing denizens I've come across really have a need to win, and seem to take it personally when they don't. Whereas, I find the game itself interesting enough that I'm satisfied even if I lose. I wonder if that's because men and women view chess from a different perspective... (Polgar sisters excluded). JK