kh1958

On Saturday night at the Heights Theater in Houston (a very nice venue), Vieux Farka Toure. The opening act was a young woman based in Austin named Jackie Venson. New to me, but she is a vocalist/guitarist in a hybrid soul/blues/rock style. I thought she was terrific. Next up, Vieux Farka Toure, who traveled for 30 hours from Mali to play two concerts, one in Austin and the other in Houston. This was a stripped down set, more in the style of his father Ali Farka Toure, than in his usual electric style. So it was just acoustic guitar and vocals, accompanied by bass guitar. Very beautiful music. Masterful guitar playing. Finally, towards the end, Vieux picked up his electric guitar and invited Jackie Venson to join him. He commented that they had played together the night before in Austin for the first time and the combination was magic. He was correct. Decidedly a concert worth a trip to Houston to hear.

Here's one of them, and he's still pretty good. You can watch on the Smalls livestream. Saturday 6/15/2019 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Neal Smith Quartet 10:30 PM - 1:00 AM Tim Armacost Quintet 1:00 AM - 4:00 AM Philip Harper Quintet

Cheikh Lo, Jamm (World Village)

The Genius of Coleman Hawkins (Verve) Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster (Verve) Coleman Hawkins and Clark Terry, Back in Bean's Bag (Columbia) Donald Byrd , Blackjack (Blue Note)

Yes that is it. And claims to be electronically re-recorded to simulate stereo, but it sounds like mono to me. Sounds great actually.

Theo Croker, Star People Nation (Sony) Tom McDermott and Even Christopher, Almost Native (Threadhead) Muddy Waters, Live at Mr. Kelly's (Chess)

Sonny Rollins, Tenor Madness (Prestige, 1969 reissue) Wynton Kelly and Wes Montgomery, Smokin' at the Half Note (Verve) Lennie Tristano, The New Tristano (Atlantic)

I've been to Snug Harbor multiple times (most recently, a month ago to see Lonnie Smith). It is the nicest venue for jazz in the city that I have been to (nice by any standard). Going there is like going to Jazz Standard, the Village Vanguard, Smoke, or the like. I've been to a few of the other clubs on Frenchman Street (La Maison and d.b.a.). There is a concentration of music clubs on Frenchman Street, but they are all more bars than anything, not refined listening rooms. Mostly, I recommended artists/groups that I've seen and liked at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival over the last six years. Your tastes may differ. Also, you should find out who is playing at Preservation Hall. If Leroy Jones, Louis Ford or Jamil Sharif, is playing, that is also a good choice.

Here are the performances that week that I would consider attending: On next Monday night: Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses are at La Maison (she is great). Also, Charmaine Neville is at Snug Harbor (she's not really a jazz singer but she is pretty good and her band members are jazz musicians). On Tuesday, clarinetist Gregory Agid is at La Maison. Also, pianist Tom McDermott is at the Starlight. Wednesday night at Snug Harbor, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. A really swinging, riff based big band. Also, Tuba Skinny at the Starlight (features the terrific Shaye Cohn on cornet, grandchild of Al Cohn). On Thursday, Carl LeBlanc is at the Bayou Bar (guitarist from the Sun Ra Arkestra). Tom McDermott is at Three Muses. Friday, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses are at d.b.a. And Shaye Cohn is at the Starlight. Saturday, Little Freddie King is at d.b.a. (blues not jazz). Astral Project is at Snug Harbor.

WWOZ has a live music calendar on its website. There's also an App. https://www.wwoz.org/calendar/livewire-music

In back of Wild Detectives in Bishop Arts District.

Peter Brotzmann and Heather Lee duo, last night. A modest sized venue, but it did sell out, and they were turning people away. Never saw that before for an avant garde jazz concert in Dallas.

Perhaps they only have funding for four.

Herbie Mann Plays (Bethlehem), and Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues Back to Back (Verve)

Mid-1970s.

Karuna Supreme is a fantastic LP; I did not know it had come out on CD.

Legendary saxophonist Peter Brötzmann is coming to Dallas for the first time. Join us to experience the controlled rawness of his playing along with the pedal steel of Heather Leigh. Illustrious artists Joe Baiza (guitar) and Jason Kahn (Drums) will open the soirée with their punk infused free improvisation. Come and check out what the outskirts of Jazz sounds like. Mutarrancho will be selecting mucha buena musica before and between their sets. $20 Cover Fee. Tickets here. BRÖTZMANN/LEIGH Peter Brötzmann Peter Brötzmann is one of the most prolific and enduring of the free jazz musicians to emerge from the European avant music scene of the 1960s. His rough tone and emotively ferocious method of attack on saxophones, clarinet, and taragato are among the most recognizable in jazz. He has played on literally hundreds of recordings — many of them live — from solo concerts to large ensemble dates and virtually every configuration in between. He is the rare Albert Ayler-influenced saxophonist capable of producing improvised lines of depth and sensitivity while informing them with enough raw power to make a lesser saxophonist wilt. While recordings of his various trios exist as early as 1964, it is the historic 1967 album For Adolphe Sax with bassist Peter Kowald and drummer Sven-Åke Johansson, on his own BRÖ label, as well as his octet date Machine Gun from 1968 and his membership in the Globe Unity Orchestra that established his bona fides on the scene. His catalogue reads like a vanguard’s who’s who in free jazz and experimental rock. Brötzmann’s playing possesses a surety of tone and a melodic center characteristic of a focused musical conception. While there’s no lack of spontaneity in his music, Brötzmann’s concern with motivic and melodic reiteration gives his playing a palpable sense of direction. Heather Leigh The daughter of a coal miner, weaving a trail from West Virginia to Texas and now residing in Scotland, Heather Leigh furthers the vast unexplored reaches of pedal steel guitar. Her playing is as physical as it is phantom, combining spontaneous compositions with a feel for the full interaction of flesh with hallucinatory power sources. With a rare combination of sensitivity and strength, Leigh’s steel mainlines sanctified slide guitar and deforms it using hypnotic tone-implosions, juggling walls of bleeding amp tone with choral vocal constructs and wrenching single note ascensions. Since 2015, Brötzmann/Leigh have established themselves as a formidable duo, touring extensively and electrifying audiences with their singular, dynamic group sound. Together they bring countless decades of experience at the cutting edge of ferocious speed-of-thought improvisation and deep lyrical soul. http://www.peterbroetzmann.com/ http://www.wishimage.com/ JOE BAIZA & JASON KAHN Joe Baiza Joe Baiza (1952) is a punk rock and improvising guitarist whom Eugene Chadbourne cites as one of the most noteworthy guitarists to emerge from the Southern California punk rock milieu.Baiza is a founding member of the bands Saccharine Trust, Universal Congress Of, and The Mecolodiacs. He also performed guest guitar spots on several Minutemen tracks and played alongside Black Flag’s Greg Ginn and Chuck Dukowski in the SST all-star jam band October Faction, recording two albums with them. Baiza was also part of the musical side project Nastassya Filippovna which featured Bob Lee (drums), Devin Sarno (bass) and Mike Watt (bass). Baiza substituted for Nels Cline during Mike Watt’s European and American tours behind his second solo album, Contemplating the Engine Room, in 1997 and 1998. Also in 1997, he and Cline played (sometimes together) in the band Solo Career with Lee (drums), Richard Derrick (bass), Walter Zooi (trumpet) and Gustavo Aguilar (percussion). Currently, Baiza plays with Saccharine Trust as well as the improvisational unit Unknown Instructors with former Minutemen Mike Watt and George Hurley. Jason Kahn Jason Kahn (born 1960) is a musician, artist and writer. He was born 1960 in New York and grew up in Los Angeles. In 1990 he re-located to Europe and is currently based in Zürich. Working with drums, voice, guitar and electronics Kahn collaborates regularly with many musicians in projects which blur the edges between improvisation, electronics, noise and rock.

Ike Stubblefield Trio feat. Bernard Purdie & Grant Green Jr. at Antone's Sat, June 29, 2019, 9:00 PM - Sun, June 30, 2019, 2:00 AM CDT

The 50th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is completed. Second Thursday: This was to be Rolling Stones day. Skipped it. Second Friday: Commencing with Ernie Vincent, a decent Louisiana blues musician. Next, Leyla McCalla. I found her Creole/Haitian style music to be appealing. Then, the magnificent trumpeter Jamil Sharif. Thereafter, a veritable army of trumpeters known as Trumpet Mafia. Co-led by Ashlin Parker and Maurice Brown, it is an unusual and exciting group. Opening up with St. James Infirmary, and sounding incredible. Next, the choice was between Kamasi Washington, playing the giant outdoor Gentilly Stage (who could also be heard later on in a local theater in a set starting at 2:30 a.m.) or 18 year old organ/piano prodigy Mathew Whitaker in the sonically vastly more pleasing Jazz Tent. The latter proved to be an enjoyable player, especially on piano. Second Saturday: Another delayed opening due to thunderstorms. The Cuban jazz duo of Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez in the Cultural Pavilion was super-hot. They were joined by two additional Cuban percussionists two-thirds of the way through the set. Next, the Jesse McBride Big Band. Finally I encounter the ubiquitous alto player Khari Allen Lee in this solid big band. Followed up by a second set in the Jazz Tent by Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez. Finally, closing the day back in the intimate Cultural Pavilion with Jupiter and Okwess, a supercharged band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The group has great songs, four terrific lead vocalists, an amazing lead guitarist, the blue bass, and the masked drummer. Sacred Sunday: The final day draws the biggest crowd this year. Starting off with the Paulin Brothers Brass Band. Next, another set by Jupiter and Okwess at the Congo Square stage. Good grief, what a set. The rest of the day is spent by me in the Jazz Tent. First, conga player Alexey Marti, leading a Latin Jazz ensemble. Next, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, led by Delfeayo Marsalis. This band, which plays weekly at Snug Harbor in New Orleans, is a terrific ensemble; highly swinging, with solid soloists, and quite fun. This is followed by the New Orleans singer John Boutte, who is not exactly my cup of tea, but is obviously quite good. Finally, Herbie Hancock closes out the festival in the jazz tent, which becomes frighteningly crowded. Herbie is not fading away quietly and looks quite vigorous. The volume was unfortunately rather extreme; I think I can still feel the vibrations from James Genus' bass guitar and Vinnie Colliuta's bass drum. Also in the band were Terrace Martin (alto sax and keyboards) and LIonel Loueke. It was good, just so loud it was hard to enjoy.

Just passed is the first weekend of the 50th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which as usual was a glorious and enlightening experience. Opening day was delayed for an hour and a half by thunderstorms; hence, the first set I heard was truncated. Octogenarian tenor saxophonist Charlie Gabriel nonetheless sounded wonderful in a shortened set, playing in a swing to bop style (Whisper Not). How many other musicians are there in the world still playing well who played with Fats Navarro? Followed by the Django Festival All Stars, playing obviously in the style of the Hot Club of France. In that style they were ferociously swinging for a quite enjoyable set. Next up, contemporary electric Chicago Blues with Toronzo Cannon. Another excellent set. Then, the last two songs of a set by the young New Orleans vocalist Sasha Masakowsi. I wish I had been able to hear the whole set; I immediately bought her latest CD on Ropeadope. Closing out the day at the festival, the James Carter Organ Trio, with Gerald Gibbs on organ. Loved the Sidney Bechet song, and the Brother Jack McDuff song. Terrific set. In the evening, I could not fail to attend a set by Lonnie Smith at Snug Harbor, with Donald Harrison, Detroit Brooks and Joe Dyson. The good doctor is looking frail but played like a dream. On Friday, starting the day with Diassing Kunda from Senegal. Kora plus three percussionists. Beautiful. Next, one of the top sets of the weekend for me, Moonlight Benjamin, from Haiti. A magnificent vocalist. Great. Then, to the Jazz Tent for the Kidd Jordan Family Tribute. Present were the patriarch, who also is looking rather frail, Kent on flute, Marlon on trumpet, Stephanie on vocals, and Rachel on violin. Kidd Jordan was featured on a powerful tribute to Alvin Fielder. Much of the set sounded like a lost spiritual jazz classic from the Black Jazz or Strata East labels. Next, taking the rare opportunity to hear another set by Moonlight Benjamin in the intimate Cultural Pavilion. Finally, closing the day with Terence Blanchard and the E Collective. The group appears every year at the festival, and finally they got the sound just right, and Mr. Blanchard's chops were in top shape. Probably the best set I've heard by this group. Fantastic. On First Saturday, commencing the day with Blodie's Jazz Jam, which is led by trumpeter Gregory Davis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Most of the set was a tribute to a couple of recently deceased brass band musicians. The last third moved more into modern jazz territory, and was really good. Next up, on the Congo Square Stage, the third largest stage at the festival and which has truly wretched sound, vocalist Dobet Gnahore from the Ivory Coast. The performance transcended the venue. Time for some quieter music in the person of a duet of clarinetist Evan Christopher and pianist Tom McDermott. A mixture of repertory music (James P. Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton), exotic styles from the Caribbean, and original material, the set was very pleasing. Next, Dr. Michael White leading a tribute to Louis Cottrell and the Onward Brass Band. This was much more enjoyable than I expected. Well done. And there's Detroit Brooks, playing guitar for Lonnie Smith a couple of nights ago, now on banjo. Also, with Jason Marsalis on drums, and Wes Warm Daddy Anderson joining for the brass band segment. Finally, for the day's highlight, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses. Aurora Nealand sounds like lightning in the darkness. On First Sunday, starting the day with the Mississippi Hill Country blues of Cedric Burnside. He performs on acoustic guitar and vocals, then switches to electric guitar, bringing out a drummer; finally, he and the drummer switch places and conclude. Definitely a chip off the block of his grandfather, R.L. Burnside. Next up, Saharan desert blues with Niger's Mdou Moctar, sometimes called the Hendrix of the Sahara desert. He doesn't sound like Jimi, but the set was absolutely incredible. Astounding. Following that in the Jazz Tent with Maurice Brown, playing material from his latest, Ropeadope release, The Mood. Some very nice trumpet playing, and the music is good (Chelsea Baratz on tenor sax). I could not resist another amazing set by Mdou Moctar in the Cultural Pavillion, and that finishes the day and the weekend for me.

August 15, 2019: James Brandon Lewis Trio, Beerland, Austin August 17, 2019: Mingus Big Band, Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston August 31, 2019: Charlie Musselwhite, Ally Venable, Bedford Blues Festival Robert Kimbrough, Six Springs, Dallas September 1, 2019: Nikki Hill, Robert Kimbrough, Bedford Blues Festival Benny Golson, Eddie Henderson, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Dallas Convention Center September 5, 2019: Nels Cline, Joe McPhee & Tom Rainey, The North Door, Austin September 6, 2019: Steve Smith (Drums), Plus Gourisankar (Tabla), Aboss Kosimov (Doyera), Tony Monaco (Hammond Organ), Indrajit Banerjee (Sitar), Indradeep Ghosh (Violin), Eduardo Cassapia (Oboe and Flute) and Brajeswar Mukherjee (Vocal), Bates Hall at UT, Austin September 8, 2019: Vid. Kanyakumari (violin), Unity Church, Dallas September 12, 2019: Tinariwen, Paramount Theater, Austin September 13, 2019: Mdou Moctar, Boogarins, White Oak Music Hall, Houston Lucky Peterson and Chuck Rainey, Tutu Jones, Antone's, Austin September 14, 2019: Tinariwen, Canton Hall, Dallas Mdou Moctar, Boogarins, Barracuda Austin Al Di Meola, Kessler Theater, Dallas Tutu Jones, Lucky Peterson, Chuck Rainey, Don Braden, East Side Kings Festival, Austin September 15, 2019: Mdou Moctar, Boogarins, Deep Ellum Art Company, Dallas Al Di Meola, Heights Theater, Houston Carl Weathersby, Barbara Lynn, Eastside Kings Festival, Austin September 18, 2019: Daniela Mercury, House of Blues, Houston September 19, 2019: Terri Lynne Carrington, Fort Worth Public Library Broken Shadows (Berne, Speed, King, Anderson), North Door, Austin September 20-21, 2019: Garifuna Collective, Mdou Moctar, Dat Garcia, Lucibela, Natu Camara, Sahba Motallebi, Globalquerque, Albuequerque, New Mexico September 21, 2019: Pratik Shrivastava (sarod), Jesse Bannister (saxophone), Subhen Chatterjee (tabla), Allen Public Libarary September 27, 2019: Jackie Venson, Lewisville Western Days October 3, 2019: John Scofield, Duet, Tulsa October 4, 2019: John Scofield, Wortham, Houston October 12, 2919: Magos Herrera and Brooklyn Rider, Wortham, Houston October 17, 2019: Eddie Palmieri, One World Theater, Austin October 18, 2019: Eddie Palmieri, Dosey Doe, Houston October 19, 2019: Jenny Scheinman and Allison Miller, Duet, Tulsa Eddie Palmieri, Arlington Music Hal October 25, 2019: Joey DeFrancesco, Arlington Music Hall October 26, 2019: Joey DeFrancesco, Dosey Doe, Houston November 2, 2019: Dr. L Subramaniam, Austin James Carter, James Francies, Wortham, Houston November 15, 2019: Miguel Zenon, Duet, Tulsa December 14, 2019: Mike Stern/Jeff Lorber Fusion, Dosey Doe, Houston December 15, 2019: Mike Stern/Jeff Lorber Fustion, One World Theater, Austin January 10, 2020: Stanley Clarke, One World Theater, Austin January 17, 2020: Andrew Cyrille Quartet, McCullogh Theatre, Austin January 25, 2020: Branford Marsalis, Wortham, Houston February 29, 2020: Vijay Iyer Sextet, Wortham, Houston March 6, 2020: Lila Downs, Jones Center, Houston Marc Ribot, Chaplin's The Kid, McCullough Theatre, Austin March 21, 2020: Dafnis Prieto Big Band, Wortham, Houston March 26-29, 2020, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee April 17, 2020: Miquel Zenon, Wortham, Houston April 18, 2020: Dave Douglas with the Texas Jazz Orchestra, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 23-26, 2020: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 30-May 3, 2020: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 2, 2020: Christian Sands, Carver Center, San Antonio

Bedford Blues Festival 2019 Satturday, Aug. 31 2:15 PM Jack Barksdale & Guthrie Kennard 3:00 PM Kerrie Lepai & Andrew Jr.Boy Jones - Andrew Jr. Boy & Kerrie Lepal Jones 4:00 PM John Hay 5:00 PM Ally Venable 6:00 PM Dylan Bishop 7:00 PM Charlie Musselwhite 8:15 PM Mike Morgan & The Crawl 9:30 PM JJ Grey & Mofro Sunday, Sept. 1PRINT 2:15 PM Honey Folk 3:00 PM The Relatives 4:00 PM Robert Kimbrough 5:00 PM The Stratoblasters & Buddy Whittington 7:00 PM Nikki Hill 8:15 PM Bobby Patterson 9:30 PM Boz Skaggs

They do have a new album coming out soon, their tour manager told me. Blue Note 80th Anniversary Tour: This Fall, a triple-bill of current Blue Note artists—Kandace Springs, James Francies, and the newly-signed James Carter—will embark on a U.S. tour of performing arts centers around the country.