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Personally, I never could connect to Ramsey Lewis. I've bought a few of his albums on Argo, and I even went to see him when he played at the Meyerson (early '90s?), but I was utterly bored by the concert. The only one of his recordings that I looked for was the seemingly fairly rare recording with Lem Wincester. I finally found a copy, but in poor condition.

I would guess based upon many years of looking at used record bins that Ramsey Lewis was actually more popular than Ahmad Jamal. It certainly seems as if I see more of his records than Jamal's. Over a long period of time, I have acquired pristine Jamal records, though that is not the norm.

For Spanish jazz, I like Nino Josele (guitar) and Chano Dominguez (piano). There is also the superb vocalist Buika. Her recordings are readily available in the United States, however. Also, Javier Limon is a brilliant guitarist, a spare and economical flamenco guitarist. Not jazz, but the Spanish singer Maria Del Mar Bonet is fabulous.

I heard Motian live with Kikuchi at the Village Vanguard. The growling was so loud, weird and disturbing. Unlistenable stuff for me.

Love it.

August 10-11, 2018: Arnett Cobb Birthday Celebration with Shelley Carrol and Carl Lott, Cezanne, Houston August 23-24, 2018: Charlie Hunter, Fayetteville Roots Festival, Fayetteville, Arkansas August 30, 2018: Jerekus Singleton, Sam's Burger Joint, San Antonio August 31, 2018: Tutu Jones, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Texas Horse Park, Dallas September 1, 2018: Bobby Rush, Grace Kelly, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Texas Horse Park, Dallas Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Bedford Blues Festival September 2, 1018: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Texas Horse Park, Dallas September 5, 2018: Wycliffe Gordan, Sammons Center, Dallas September 8, 2018: Abhisek Lahiri (sarod), Subrata Bhattacharya (tabla), Allen Public Library September 14, 2018: Al Di Meola, The Heights, Houston Ike Stubblefield, Delvon Lamarr, Antone's, Austin Peggy Stern, Cezanne, Houston Selwyn Birchwood, Six Springs Tavern, Richardson September 15, 2018: Big Bill Morganfield, Denton Blues Festival Al Di Meola, One World Theater, Austin Selwyn Birchwood, Franklin's Tower, Humble September 16, 2018: Al Di Meola, Kessler Theater, Dallas Selwyn Birchwood, Denton Blues Festival September 19, 2018: Fred Hersh, Trinity University, San Antonio Buddy Guy, Granada Theater, Dallas September 20, 2018: Fred Hersh Trio, Fort Worth Public Library September 22, 2018: Divine Trio, Allen Public Library September 28, 2018: Stanley Clarke, One World Theater, Austin September 29, 2018: Kamasi Washington, Toyota Music Factory, Irving September 30, 2018: Stanley Clarke, Dosey Doe, Houston Kamasi Washington, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands October 2, 2018: David Gerald, The Lumberyard, Roscoe October 3, 2018: Ches Smith/Mat Maneri/Craig Taborn, North Door, Austin David Gerald, Love and War, Plano October 5, 2018: John Scofield, Mohawk, Austin October 6, 2018: Sweekar Katti (sitar), Houston George Brooks Aspada, Bates Recital Hall, Austin Delfeayo Marsalis, Jazz and World Festival, Tulsa, Oklahoma October 10, 2018: Branford Marsalis, Austin State University, Nacogdoches October 10-11, 2018: Dina Elwedidi, One 2 One Bar, Austin October 11, 2018: Branford Marsalis, Moody Performance Hall, Dallas October 12, 2018: Branford Marsalis, Brauntex Performing Arts Center, New Braunfels October 26, 2018: Jacob Bro, Thomas Morgan, Joey Baron, Duet, Tulsa, Oklahoma November 3, 2018: Lonnie Smith Trio, Wortham, Houston November 7, 2018: Rachella Parks, Sammons Center, Dallas November 10, 2018: Charle Hunter, Duet, Tulsa, Oklahoma November 11, 2018: Charlie Hunter, Guitar Sanctuary, McKinney December 1, 2018: Pedrito Martinez, Wortham, Houston December 3, 2018: Wynton Marsalis, Tobin Center, San Antonio December 4, 2018: Charles Lloyd, Bill Frisell and Thomas Morgan, San Antonio December 5, 2018: Wynton Marsalis with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Meyerson, Dallas February 8, 2018: Chucho Valdes, Wortham, Houston February 9, 2019, Chucho Valdes, Laurie Auditorium, San Antonio March 23, 2019: Tom Harrell Quintet, Empire Theater, San Antonio April 11, 2019: Stanley Jordan, One World Theater, Austin Terence Blanchard and Rennie Harris, Bass Concert Hall, Austin April 12, 2019: Dave Douglas, Wortham, Houston April 13, 2019: University of Texas Jazz Orchestra with Joe Lovano, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 26-28, May 2-5, 2019: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

I did see Sphere live once. As I recall they played mostly original music. I recall the two sets I heard as sublime, performed before a tiny audience. There was nothing nostalgic about it.

Currently the No. 12 album on amazon, in between Nine Inch Nails and Garth Brooks.

Sidney Bechet, French Movies (Moochin' About)

The Many Faces of Art Farmer (Sceptor). I like the combination here of Art Farmer and Charles McPherson.

I saw the group at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival--Bill Frisell wasn't there; he was replaced by Stuart Mathis; ithe group didn't sound quite as good.

It (the new Charles Lloyd release) is terrific (in my opinion).

Charles Lloyd and the Marvels, Vanished Gardens (Blue Note)

Carl LeBlanc, New Orleans Seventh Ward Griot (Preservation Hall)

Lucky Peterson, Tribute to Jimmy Smith (Jazz Village)

A short visit to New Orleans: Sunday evening: Carl LeBlanc Trio at Bamboula's. Some really gorgeous guitar playing from the ex-Sun Ra Arkestra guitarist. Monday: Leroy Jones at Preservation Hall. As usual, magnificent trumpet playing. Also with Daniel Farrow on tenor saxophone--obviously a real Lester Young devotee, and further reading revealed his formative inspiration of hearing Lester Young at a JATP concert. Royal Roses at The Maison. Very disappointed that Aurora Nealand was not present this evening. Charmaine Neville at Snug Harbor. Her band, including Detroit Brooks on guitar, is excellent. Tuesday afternoon: Down on Your Luck Orchestra at the Old Mint/National Jazz Museum. Including Astral Project drummer Johnny Vidacovich and bassist Michael Harris. Carl LeBlanc at Bamboula's: This time, a duo with a vocalist. Emily Mikesell Quartet at The Maison.

ANTONE'S PRESENTS Antone's B3 Summit II: Delvon LaMarr, Ike Stubblefield, Red Young & Sauce Gonzalez FRI · SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm

Those pop star George Benson fans are a cruel lot. Of course, if I knew in advance he would not be able to sing at a concert and would only play instrumentals, I would be there in a heartbeat.

Buddy Guy, The Blues is Alive and Well (Silvertone)

Last night, Marvin Stamm Quartet at the Kitchen Cafe. I must say that Marvin Stamm, who played flugelhorn and was mostly sitting at age 79, sounded absolutely fabulous. The highlight was when Helen Sung, who was in the audience, joined the group for three songs in the second set. She hasn't really registered with me before, but her playing was quite dynamic. A really pleasing experience, with quite excellent sound in the small club.

Duke Ellington, Daybreak Express (RCA Vintage)

Lineup to the Satchmo Summerfest at the Old Mint in New Orleans. Friday, August 4 Barracks Street Stage: 12:00-1:10: Preservation Brass 1:30-2:40: Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses 3:00-4:10: Jamil Sharif 4:30-5:40: Ellis Marsalis 6:00-7:10: Bill Summers & Jazalsa 7:30-9:00: Bonerama Esplanade Avenue Stage: 12:15-1:30: Clive Wilson’s Satchmo Serenaders 1:50-3:00: Tim Laughlin 3:20-4:30: Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders 4:50-6:00: The Nayo Jones Experience 6:20-7:30: Shannon Powell Traditional All-Star Band 7:50-9:00: The Soul Rebels Saturday, August 4 Barracks Street Stage: 12:00-1:10: Lars Edegran and the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra 1:30-2:40: Yoshio Toyama and the Dixie Saints 3:00-4:10: Mohogany Brass Band 4:30-5:40: Charmaine Neville 6:00-7:10: The Original Pinettes Brass Band 7:30-9:00: Corey Henry’s Treme Funktet Esplanade Avenue Stage: 12:15-1:30: Doyle Cooper Jazz Band 1:50-3:00: James Williams 3:20-4:30: Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony 4:50-6:00: Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sounds 6:20-7:30: Calvin Johnson and Native Son 7:50-9:00: TBC Brass Band Sunday, August 5 Barracks Street Stage: 12:00-1:00: Steve Pistorius’ Tribute to Louis Armstong’s Hot Fives and Sevens 1:20-2:20: Storyville Stompers Brass Band 2:40-3:40: Shotgun Jazz Band 4:00-5:00: Wendell Brunious 5:20-6:20: Irma Thomas, Soul Queen of New Orleans 6:40-7:30: Ashlin Parker Trumpet Mafia 7:30-8:00: Trumpet Tribute to Louis Armstrong (with Ashlin Parker) Esplanade Avenue Stage: 12:15-1:20: Mari Watanabe’s Chosen Few Jazz Band 1:40-2:40: Mark Braud 3:00-4:00: The Dukes Of Dixieland 4:20-5:20: Robin Barnes & The Fiyabirds 5:40-6:40: Jeremy Davenport 7:00-7:50: Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr.

African Scream Contest 2 (Analog Africa)

Russ Freeman and Andre Previn, Double Play (Contemporary) Chuck Wayne, String Fever (RCA Vik) Bud Freeman Summa Cum Laude Orchestra, Chicago /Austin High School Jazz in Hi Fi (RCA)

Sons of Kemet, Your Queen is a Reptile (Impulse)