relyles

Looking forward to catching the trio in New Haven.

PM sent earlier today regarding: Maghostut Trio (M.F.Maghostut/H.J.Taylor/V.Davis) - Live at Last (Rogue Art) digipak $7 Right Hemisphere (M.Shipp/R.Brown/J.Morris/W.Dickey) - Right Hemisphere (Rogue Art) digipak $7

They performed two sets consisting of two extended pieces each set. This ensemble is clearly in sync with each other and was overall good to hear. In addition to a number of reeds, Wilkerson and Williams also played a variety of "little instruments", toys, flutes and percussion. Bankhead also played some piano, scatted on one piece and had some low key wordless vocals at another time. On one piece Ra picked up the thumb piano. In some regards the different sounds and textures accomplished by the use of a variety of instruments by the musicians seemed representative of what many associate with a frequently used AACM approach. Especially in the way a couple of the pieces seemed to develop with changing moods and dynamics. At times the band rose to a roar with Ra bashing away and Williams and Wilkerson blowing hard. I have been a fan of Wilkerson for quite a while and as Steve noted opportunities to hear him live on the east coast have been rare. He was a delight to hear, although at times when he put a cloth inside his horn the sound did not project as well over Ra's drums, which were loud. I get the difference in the sound and it was definitely appealing, but one had to make an extra effort to hear. The sound from where I sat right in front of the stage was a bit loud and Bankhead's bass at times had a little too much something in the mix, but he did not disappoint. Overall, very happy I was able to catch this group because there is no telling when they will be back around. I think they are scheduled to go into the studio today to record Bankhead's next Engine Studios release.

Trumpeter, Ron Horton recommended Russ Johnson to me several years ago and I have been very grateful for that introduction. I have had the opportunity to hear him live several times and I think your description above is right on point. Although at the moment not documented by an official recording, I have loved what I heard of him in the Out to Lunch band with Roy Nathanson, Myra Melford, Brad Jones and George Schuller. Not usually a fan of the tribute bands, but this one works. I checked out Mazzarella on your recommendation and would be very interested to hear him with another horn like Johnson.

Thursday, March 28, 2013 8pm Bezanson Recital Hall Umass - Amherst, MA HARRISON BANKHEAD QUARTET Edward Wilkerson, Jr. and Mars Williams, reeds; Avreeayl Ra, drums

PM sent re: Linda Oh "Initial Here" Greenleaf Tom Harrell "Number 5" Highnote (Promo Hole Punch in Bar Code) Darren Johnston's Gone to Chicago " The Big Lift" PFR (Promo Sticker on back cover) David Weiss and Point of Departure "Venture Inward" Posi-tone

Fair enough. I have heard several recordings she is on, but the only time I heard her live was in Paradoxical Frog with Ingrid Laubrock and Tyshawn Sorey. Not even remotely a high energy ensemble. In fact, when I heard that group I was craving to hear Davis featured more.

I like Davis, but "explosive" is not something that comes to mind in any of the settings I have heard her perform.

Two strong sets. Both featured extended high energy improvisations. Lotte Anker was the only one of the four musicians I have never heard live. She was impressive. I think she has a good rapport with Gerald Cleaver. I know they have been playing together in the trio with Craig Taborn for years. Cleaver is a favorite of mine and I have had the pleasure of hearing him live a few times. On this night he was really on fire. In both the duet and the quartet performances he seemed to direct the flow of things more than I have heard him in other settings. He has a way of getting into what I call a fractured rhythm or groove that I like and he always seems to be listening to what the other musicians are doing. The quartet was very interesting. I confess that although I have listened to a lot of Berne and have even heard him live a few times, he actually is not one of my favorites. But I enjoyed his playing a lot more on this night than I have at other times. I think I enjoy hearing him more outside of his own groups when he just plays the horn. The only thing I noticed is that in the quartet to me he seemed to take the spotlight away from the presumed leader a bit. It's always a joy for me to hear Parker. Love his big sound - although it did not always seem like him and Berne connected. But then again, that is just from my ears as nothing more than a fan. Overall, although I paid for the late night the next day at work, it was worth the trip.

Glad I was able to make it down for these sets after all.

Pete - sorry I will not be able to make it down for the grand event, but I will be sure to order a copy of the book.

Would love to catch this if it was not a wednesday night.

I will be at the performance at Firehouse 12 on March 15th. Looking forward to it.

Craig Harris' Souls Within A Veil.

Happened to me last year as well and I did get the rest shortly thereafter. I have always found their customer service to be very responsive.

pm sent earlier this morning re: Harold Danko - Prestigious. A Tribute to Eric Dolphy (Steeplechase) w/D.Ballou, R.Perry, J.Hirshfield, M.Formanek $7 Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Live (Columbia/Legacy) $6 Pandelis Karayorgis, Nate McBride, Curt Newton - Betwixt (hatOLOGY) some nicks, cardbaord gatefold $6

pm sent re: Michael Attias – Spun Tree (Clean Feed) Scott DuBois (w/Ullmann) – Landscape Scripture (Sunnyside) Frank Gratkowski Quartet – Le Vent et La Gorge (Leo) Ben Holmes – Anvil of the Lord (Skirl) Russ Lossing – Drum Music (Sunnyside) Ivo Perelman/Joe Morris/Gerald Cleaver – Living Jelly (Leo) Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp/Michael Bisio – The Gift (Leo) Platform 1 (Vandermark, Broo) – Takes Off (Clean Feed) Angelica Sanchez – Wires & Moss (Clean Feed)

I am looking forward to hearing Branford Marsalis in concert tonight at UCONN. There is room for everyone. Last week I heard Dave Burell in a solo performance and Gerald Cleaver's Black Host with Darius Jones and Cooper-Moore. I love it all!

I have not read the blindfold test yet, but Steve for what it is worth I think you are being a tad bit too harsh in your assessment of Branford. Wasn't he the person that got Columbia to record David S. Ware? I think his ears (and his own music) extend a little beyond Trane and Ray Brown. I think you are responding more to his reaction to Evan Parker because you can't fathom the idea that anyone with ears would not appreciate the *great* Evan Parker. I suppose I probably should shut up until I actually read Branford's comments.

Looking forward to this release. Virelles and Cleaver with Stanko has me very intrigued.

That is basically what we called it in my house too. That reminds me that my grandmother has some chitlins for me.

Just placed an order.

His two subsequent recordings (with artwork by the same artist) are also quite good. I had the opportunity to hear the quartet with Matt Mitchell, Sean Conly and Ches Smith last May at Firehouse 12 in New Haven. One of my favorite live performances of the year. I am a fan!

IN the Spring 2012 tour they were still performing the Stevie Wonder music, which was the subject of the release from the 2011 recording for season 8. I am not sure whether they had any subsequent tours in 2012 when the group started to perform Corea's music, which they will be performing in their next tour starting in March.

I heard an expanded version of this ensemble live a few years ago. I guess they have (or had) a real active scene centered around a club in Manhattan. I have an Alegria release from 2010 that I need to check out one of these days.