JazzKitten

For several years in a row in the late 90's, I've spent the last week of June/first week of July in the beautiful city of Montreal where they held their International Jazz Festival. Every Saturday evening in those warm summer months they would have a fireworks competition where various countries compete their pyrotechnics synchronized to music, so although I wasn't in the US for Independance Day, I still had the benefit of fireworks display. Plus the music and the atmosphere in Montreal was excellent!! JK

Bird's eye view of a grooved drinking glass? JK P.S. Actually, I think I've once seen a lighthouse light that kind of looks like that from the side. HUGE panes of glass. Is that what it is?

Wow, that's really cool, B3er, to have played a horn that Stan Getz once played before! JK

I recently became the lucky new owner of B3er's tenor sax - a lovely 1965 Keilwerth called "The Oxford". I'm a total beginner and have just managed to squeek out some scales using the Otto Link 8 mouthpiece that B3er included for me. As for reeds, I'm currently using 2.5 Vandorens, but I think I will try something a little softer (like a 1.5) because I haven't built up any muscles for proper emboucher... I bought some reeds from eBay called "Phat Reeds", which are: "...imported from China. They are made from wild-harvested cane grown on rootstocks hundreds of years old. They are never sprayed with chemicals. They are cured for two full years, hand selected and hand finished. The cane is great! These reeds have more heart than most reeds on the market today. You will need to give them a good soak and perhaps a little minor adjusting before playing, all worth the effort! Taste a modern woodwind reed. Does is taste like hay? That's because it hasn't been allowed to cure properly. Cane is a GRASS. When cane cures, the taste of hay becomes a sweet, woody taste. That's because the starches in the cane have cured to sugars. These reeds taste as good as they sound!" Has anyone heard of this new brand before and/or have had experience with them? I shall post a report after I get I try mine out. JazzKitten

I agree with you, Clunky. I think the various themes and elements come together quite nicely on Mr. Grenadier's new CD. In fact, I think this CD deserves at least 4 stars, which the reviewer neglected to place next to the title. JK

Here's what the AMG says about Mr. Grenadier's latest CD. JazzKitten

The last few days, I have been feeling rather ill and feverish, and generally asking myself what I'm still doing at the office in the first place... Anyway, when I did get home and was ready to do some serious convalescing, the first CD I grabbed was Mr. Grenadier's Playful Intentions, and it magically made me feel better and more peaceful (especially the "More Mist from Cali" track). Thanks for healing this kitty! JK

I just got my copy of "Playful Intentions" yesterday, and I think it's very well done! I love the way the musicians interact with each other, and Bill Carrothers is a super pianist!. Mr. Grenadier's playing is very thoughtful and soulful at the same time. Good job!! JK

This is really sad news indeed. I had the privilege to sit next to Mr. Edwards during a concert a couple of years ago at the Bebop Convention in LA. I struck up a conversation with him, and I found that he was a really very nice and down to earth kind of guy (and he laughed at my jokes). Since I will soon be the happy new owner of a tenor sax, I shall dedicate the first song I learn to Mr. Edwards. JazzKitten

Good one! Well, I'll take the last letter and say Oscar Peterson

Mel Powell