robviti

Mysterious Thelonious Written and illustrated by Chris Raschka Publishers Weekly Raschka (Charlie Parker Played Be Bop), one of the most original illustrators at work today, is at it again, pushing the limits of his chosen craft. Here, bound in a delightful hand-sized volume, his paean to jazz great Thelonious Monk doubles as a clever visual pun. By matching the notes of the chromatic scale (do, di, re, me, mi...) to the 12 color values of the color wheel, and then placing each word of text within a color-coded square, readers can not only read it, but literally play it like a musical score. "Misterioso," the Monk composition represented here, begins simply (i.e., lots of white space visually), but just as the musical piece grows more complex, so does the visual picture as pigment washes are added to represent harmonies and improvisations, and the pages fairly roil with color. Although young ones may find the book's rich double entendre difficult to grasp, they'll certainly enjoy the musician himself, cavorting across the pages decked out in hip blue shades and a checked cap. And young-at-heart Monk fans will feel Raschka's passion for his subject as he renders the pianist incomplete without his piano (their shapes and colors answer one another across the double-page spreads in melon greens or cool reds). Words swoop and dive across the pages ("He played the music of freedom/ Jazz is the music of freedom") yet, like the musical form itself, return to the simple theme with which the book began: "This is a story about his music." In creating this homage to one great artist, Raschka has honored all the innovative artists who inspire othersand once again proves he belongs among them. All ages.

John Coltrane's Giant Steps Remixed by Chris Raschka Publishers Weekly This innovative visual deconstruction of one of jazz saxophonist Coltrane's most beloved compositions may be Raschka's (Mysterious Thelonious) most ambitious picture book yet. After a playful introduction ("Good evening. And thank you for coming to our book"), the unseen narratorconductor introduces the performers a box, a snowflake, some raindrops and a kitten a tongue-in-cheek nod to Coltrane's version of "My Favorite Things"). The book does not require previous awareness of the jazz great's work, however. Each performer (representing percussion, bass, piano and sax) appears in a different color and shape (Raschka riffs on primary red, yellow and blue, and the basic square, triangle and circle). The performance begins, only to be interrupted when the kitten ("the melody on top of everything") takes steps a little too large ("People, people! What happened?"). Some coaching finally produces what Coltrane called "sheets of sound." Raschka's transparent watercolors layer colors and shapes the way a musician would notes and harmonies. Stunningly simple, the concept provides a compelling introduction to Coltrane's genius. Those who possess a little musical knowledge will delight in such arch references as "remixed by Chris Raschka" on the title page and the conductor's hilarious critique ("First of all, raindrops, you were rushing on page 19"). Even the jacket repeats the book's central conceit: a clear plastic wrap featuring the kitten, painted in thick black outline, overlays the other elements. A must for jazz enthusiasts and, for first-timers, a clever introduction to this wildly creative musical genre. Ages 4-7.

Charlie Parker Played Bebop Written and illustrated by Chris Raschka From Publishers Weekly: Regardless of whether they've heard of jazz or Charlie Parker, young readers will bop to the pulsating beat of this sassy picture book. In a daring attempt to capture the raw energy of Parker's music (and in language recalling the verbal theatrics of Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault), Raschka combines a text that's as lean as a poem and as mean as a blues refrain (``Charlie Parker played be bop. / Charlie Parker played no trombone. / The music sounded like be bop. / Barbecue that last leg bone'') with vigorously skewed illustrations gleaming with sly wit. Even the typeface joins in the fun, as italics and boldface strut and swing across the pages. Those in the know will enjoy the inside jokes (the pages, for example, are decorated with birds, after Parker's nickname); young and old alike will find this a read-aloud that's hard to resist. And that's no jive. Ages 3-6.

Dizzy Written by Jonah Winter. Illustrated by Sean Qualls Dizzy Gillespie was a real cool cat who must have been born with a horn in his hands. The trumpet was his ticket on a train to better days, and he left his hard life in a small town for New York, and the hottest band around. But did Dizzy stand straight and play right? NO! He hit high notes, low notes never-been-heard notes, acted silly, played around puffed his cheeks out like a clown . . . and created a whole new kind of music: BEBOP. This is a story about a boy who breaks all the rules and ends up head of the class top of the heap, the - ska-diddley dee bop! - Prince of Jazz.

I think what aloc is doing is admirable, but from what i've read, it might be based on misinformation. When I googled "888-382-1222", I got this information the FTC website: You may have received an email telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. And: There is only ONE DNC Registry. There is no separate registry for cell phones. And I saved the best for last: Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. I'm not sure what kind of unsolicited calls Chris is getting, but remember: charities and political calls are exempt from no-call restrictions.

i might be wrong, but i don't think any of the 32jazz reissues were remastered.

if you don't already have ford's debut, i strongly recommend getting it. used copies are readily available online for just a few dollars.

i run into ken vandermark's parents quite often at the avant garde shows around boston. i once remarked to his mother, "it must be fun to say,"my son, the genius." she had a good chuckle over that.

Consider this, - CD sales were down almost 20% for 2006-2007. - All jazz account for less than 4% of total cd sales. - Jazz reissues constitute only a portion of that dwindling 4%. - Since you don't seem to like downloads, subtract from that tiny figure all the downloads made by board members and other serious jazz fans like them. - Finally, subtract all the used and promo cds purchased (you of all people should appreciate this last point). Now tell me how viable it is to keep doing the same thing we've been doing for the past 30-40 years.

and yet they did release them, nearly two years after acquiring the catalog. if they did terminate key people, maybe they'll hire staff that will think of new ways to reissue the back catalog that are more economically-viable. it seems to me that repacking old material for a small minority (namely us) isn't the best approach for the future of the music or the industry.

should've asked him if he wanted a ham sammich.

I hear ya and don't disagree. I do. Complete 5 Spot was the sort of thing that Fantasy was starting to do beautifully (Evans Vanguard and Garland Prelude and Monk/Trane sets as well as the Stitt, Miles and Trane boxes) before they sold out to the clueless crew at Concord. weren't all of the box sets you mention released after the sale to concord?

for the sake of brevity, copyright, and whatever, here's a link explaining the whole process, including audio and video clips: zenph studios

the man's religion is his own business. i'm not here to judge, just to support him in this hour of need.

first there was chewy's smooth jazz thread, now here's one on new age. me thinks it's time we mounted an intervention for the poor boy. we love you man.

unfortunately, the sets at night didn't come out well, since i was so far from the stage. maybe a can get a tutorial from you sometime. either that, or i could go to jim n. for some tips.

this is one of my favorite brass fantasy discs. there are used copies online for under $7:

Ira Sullivan at the Jazz Showcase After Fest Jam

8 Bold Souls

Fred Anderson & Harrison Bankhead at the Velvet

Henry Grimes at the Velvet

Kidd Jordan at the Velvet

Dave Douglas' Brass Ecstasy

Roscoe Mitchell & Wadada Leo Smith in an AACM Tribute

Julian Priester in a tribute to Capt. Walter Dyett