kh1958

Bebel Gilberto at the Kessler Theater. A pretty spare concert, with just voice and guitar. Live Brazilian music is rare in these parts, and there is nothing wrong with her voice or the guitarist--I liked a few songs, but overall not so much, something was missing for me.

Debut in Blues has finally been issued on CD, albeit in a pricey Japanese edition. Dustygroove is currently selling copies.

Not yet, but I ordered the American Folk Blues 1962 release.

Jazz Showcase, Introducing the Mastersounds (World Pacific). A quite enjoyable, great sounding LP, highlighting vibes and fender bass.

My Liberty label copy has a 37 years of Blue Note inner sleeve.

The Laurindo Almeida Quartet, featuring Bud Shank (Pacific Jazz, red vinyl. black label mono).

Continuing with black label, mono, Pacific Jazz LPs: The Bud Shank Quartet and the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker.

Cy Touff, His Octet and Quintet (Pacific Jazz)

Ornette Coleman, Free Jazz (Atlantic)

I have also quite enjoyed this record. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the group's nearest live performance in San Antonio in February.

According to NEA grant award to Nameless Sound, possible future plans include: Visiting artists under consideration include NEA Jazz Master Muhal Richard Abrams (piano), George Lewis (trombone), Roscoe Mitchell (saxophone), Maggie Nichols (vocalist, dancer), and the group Trio 3 featuring Andrew Cyrille (drums), Oliver Lake (saxophone), and Reggie Workman (bass).

Cal Tjader Plays TJazz, volume 1 (Fantasy), and Vince Guaraldi and Bola Sete, From All Sides (Fantasy)

June 22, 2016: Ali Jackson, Kitchen Café, Dallas June 23, 2016: Calvin Johnson, Jr. and Kirk Joseph, Antone's, Austin June 25, 2016: Shahid Parvez, Texas School for the Deaf, Austin June 25, 2016: Marvin Stamm, Kitchen Café, Dallas June 26, 2016: Marvin Stamm, Dan's Silverleaf, Denton July 2, 2016: Benny Turner, Eddie Clearwater, Antone's, Austin August 4-7, 2016: Satchmo Summerfest, New Orleans August 5, 2016: Stanley Jordan, Wonderland of the Americas, San Antonio August 20, 2016: Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa, Tobin Center, San Antonio August 26, 2016: Lila Downs, Lila Cockrell Theater, San Antonio September 3-4,2016: Janiva Magness, Tutu Jones, Bedford Blues Festival September 17, 2016: Debojyoti Bose and Hindole Majumdar, University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall, Houston September 22, 2016: Cedric Burnside, Antone's, Austin September 25, 2016: John Pizzarelli, Eisemann Center, Richardson October 1, 2016: Niladri Kumar and Zakir Hussain, Austin October 1, 2016: Rakesh Chaurasia and Aditya Kalyanpur, University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall, Houston October, 2 2016: Rakesh Chaurasia and Aditya Kalyanpur, Allen Public Library October 7, 2016: Jason Moran, Monk at Town Hall, Cullen Theater, Houston October 22, 2016: Danish String Quartet, Wolfe Recital Hall, Corpus Christi October 23, 2016: Danish String Quartet, Temple Beth-El, San Antonio October 23, 2016: Cedric Burnside, Shreveport House Concerts November 19, 2016: Terence Blanchard, Carver Center, San Antonio December 16, 2016: Stanley Clarke, One World Theater, Austin February 3, 2017: Dejohnette Coltrane Garrison, McCullough Theater, Austin February 18, 2017: Joey Alexander, McAllister Auditorium, San Antonio College February 24, 2017: Joshua Redman, Cullen Theater, Houston February 25, 2017: Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University, San Antonio March 11, 2017: Marquis Hill Blacktet, Cullen Theater, Houston April 18, 2017: Cyrus Chestnut, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 22, 2017: Terence Blanchard, Cullen Theater, Houston May 5, 2017: Vijay Iyer, Cullen Theater, Houston

Yesterday morning, a purple label pressing of Eric Dolphy's Outward Bound, except it wasn't--it was Eric Dolphy's Out There. The cover, label, and inner groove numbers all corresponded to Outward Bound, and the pressing was stamped Van Gelder. Weird.

That was an excellent concert--I'm glad I made the trip. I adored the performance of Naima.

Not sure (I would have to find it first), but it is available now. http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-ULMER-JAMES-BLOOD/dp/B00THZLRME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462370281&sr=8-1&keywords=James+Blood+Ulmer+Odyssey

Yes, I have Odyssey on CD.

Every once in awhile I'll talk to a musician and these musicians all impressed as being gracious and very nice--Bobby Hutcherson, Charles McPherson, Dannie Richmond, Buddy Guy, Bern Nix, Zane Massey, Denardo Coleman, Benny Carter, Charles Moffett Sr., Jason Moran....

On Sunday, I arose early to take the short (65 minutes) flight to New Orleans to attend the final day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Unlike the first weekend which I attended, with perfect weather, the second weekend was marred by thunderstorms, with Saturday's deluge resulting in an early closing of the festival. On Sunday, I arrived just as rain was beginning, making it to the Jazz Tent just in time. A fierce storm ensued, which eventually settled down to just hard rain for the rest of the day. So I settled into the Jazz Tent for the duration. First, a vocalist--Nyo Jones. Okay. With thunder and lightning and sheets of driving rain effects. Next, The Trumpet Mafia. A fifteen piece band, with ten (!) trumpet players and a five piece rhythm section, plus Nicholas Payton as guest soloist. An excellent group--I really enjoyed their loud and raucous set. Nicholas Payton's playing was the most exciting I've ever heard from him. Followed by Ellis Marsalis. His very mainstream playing I've always found a bit dull; today was no exception, but his group (especially the trumpet player, one of the members of the Trumpet Mafia as well as the Jason Marsalis group, and the tenor/soprano saxophonist) was fine, as were Marsalis' original compositions. A decent set. Now, getting serious, with The Mashup (Ike Stubblefield on organ, Terrence Higgins on drums, and Grant Green Jr. on guitar). An outstanding soul jazz group, this was one terrific set. This is and sounds like a working group, and I really enjoyed the organ player, as well as Grant Green Jr. I did not realize Grant Green's son was such a fine player. An exciting set I feel fortunate to have witnessed. Finally, Heads of State (Gary Bartz, Al Foster, Larry Willis, and David Williams) bring the day to an appropriate climax. Gary Bartz attired in an elegant silver suit matching his long silvery hair, performed an intense and inspired set. Larry Willis, I used to see fairly often at the Caravan of Dreams, and it was great to see him again. He sounded wonderful. The whole group did, actually. The final group in the Jazz Tent for the day was Chris Botti, so I was out of there. As I was exiting, B.B. King's band was playing at the Gentilly Stage, and they actually were sounding good; I would have stayed but for not wanting to stand in a muddy field in the rain. Now I have to wait a whole year for the next festival. Supposedly they are working on bringing 150 Cuban musicians to the festival next year. I can't wait.

Hopefully I will be attending the Saturday night concert as well. Looking forward to it.

Coming up next weekend in Houston, two concerts featuring Dave Burrell. meless Sound presents Nameless Sound presents Dave Burrell's Full Blown Duo featuring Andrew Cyrille Dave Burrell with Steve Swell Performing Turning Point May 7, 2016 8pm May 8, 2016 8pm at Sanders Hall, Christ Church Cathedral 1117 Texas Ave, HOUSTON, TX 77002 Saturday, May 7, 2016 8pm $13 General/$10 Student/FREE under 18 Dave Burrell (Philadelphia, PA) - piano Andrew Cyrille (Montclaire, NJ) - drums, percussion at Sanders Hall, Christ Church Cathedral 1117 Texas Ave, HOUSTON, TX 77002 Sunday, May 8, 2016 8pm $13 General/$10 Student/FREE under 18 Performing Turning Point, the third in a series of five suites commemorating the people and events of the American Civil War. Dave Burrell (Philadelphia, PA) - piano Steve Swell (New York, NY) - trombone

May 7, 2016: Dave Burrell and Andrew Cyrille, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston May 8, 2016: Dave Burrell and Steve Swell, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston May 13, 2016: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Carver Center, San Antonio May 15, 2016: Peter Brotzmann, North Door, Austin May 16, 2016: Bebel Gilberto, One World Theater, Austin May 17, 2016: Bebel Gilberto, Tobin Center, San Antonio May 18, 2016: Bebel Gilberto, Kessler Theater, Dallas May 19, 2016: Carl Weathersby, Antone's, Austin May 19, 2016: Delfeayo Marsalis, Fort Worth Public Library May 21, 2016: Zac Harmon, Keys Lounge, Fort Worth May 26, 2016: Chris Thomas King, Rock 101, Frisco May 26, 2016: Carl Weathersby, Antone's, Austin May 27, 2017: Shelley Carrol, Free Man, Dallas May 28, 2016: Savion Glover and Jack DeJohnette, Carver Center, San Antonio May 29, 2016: Carl Weathersby, Antone's, Austin June 3-4, 2016: Roy Gaines, Eric Gales, T Bone Walker Blues Festival, Longview June 5, 2016: Eric Gales, Guitar Sanctuary, McKinney June 5, 2016: Hindustani Violin recital, Pandit Milind Raikar, Yadnesh Raikar, Pandit Shanties Shah, Allen Public Library June 10, 2016: Buddy Guy, Billy Bobs, Fort Worth June 11, 2016: T.N. Krishna, Dell Fine Arts Theater, Austin June 17, 2016: Joe Krown Trio with Walter Wolfman Washington, Antone's, Austin June 18, 2016: Pravin Godkhindi and Satish Tagbe, University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall, Houston June 25, 2016: Shahid Parvez, Texas School for the Deaf, Austin June 26, 2016: Marvin Stamm, Dan's Silverleaf, Denton July 23, 2016: Tutu Jones, Liberty Hall, Tyler, Texas August 4-7, 2016: Satchmo Summerfest, New Orleans September 17, 2016: Debojyoti Bose and Hindole Majumdar, University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall, Houston September 22, 2016: Cedric Burnside, Antone's, Austin October 1, 2016: Niladri Kumar and Zakir Hussain, Austin October 1, 2016: Rakesh Chaurasia and Aditya Kalyanpur, University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall, Houston October 7, 2016: Jason Moran, Monk at Town Hall, Cullen Theater, Houston October, 2016: Rakesh Chaurasia and Aditya Kalyanpur, Allen Public Library (?) December 16, 2016: Stanley Clarke, One World Theater, Austin February 3, 2017: Dejohnette Coltrane Garrison, McCullough Theater, Austin February 18, 2017: Joey Alexander, McAllister Auditorium, San Antonio College February 24, 2017: Joshua Redman, Cullen Theater, Houston February 25, 2017: Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University, San Antonio March 11, 2017: Marquis Hill Blacktet, Cullen Theater, Houston April 18, 2017: Cyrus Chestnut, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 22, 2017: Terence Blanchard, Cullen Theater, Houston May 5, 2017: Vijay Iyer, Cullen Theater, Houston

Freddie Hubbard, Blue Spirits (Blue Note, Liberty)

As the Texas attorney general is under indictment for federal securities fraud, they have bigger fish to fry.

This past weekend, I attended the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. And the groups I saw! Steely Dan, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers! It was amazing! Well, no, actually I didn't see (or care to see) any such groups. Jazziest is like two festivals--a popular music festival conducted on large stages with masses of people crowded together in a field. Then there is the other festival--in smaller seated venues, presenting a diversity of music from the world and Louisiana. The only thing in common is the great food for all available on the fairgrounds. On Friday, I began in Economy Hall, with Chris Clifton and His All Stars. The band was decent, but I didn't make it to the end of the set of pure Louis Armstrong imitation. Next, to the Jazz Tent, for trumpeter Ayo Takazawa, with Jason Marsalis on drums. A couple of guests also appeared, including Wes Warmdaddy Anderson on alto. The set was pretty good, reaching its peak with a version Freddie Hubbard's Mr. Clean featuring the leader and her cohort on alto sax (also a Japanese female) trading short solos for the duration which built to a pretty high level of intensity. Next, Jason Marsalis on drums leading a quintet presenting mostly new material from a new CD, The 21st Century Trad Band. This was a fine set, featuring lots of clarinet (trumpet/sax or clarinet frontline). After a break, continuing in the Jazz Tent, Geri Allen presents a group playing material from Errol Garner's Concert By the Sea. This is an unusual two piano group, the second piano being manned by Christian Sands. Also with Russell Malone on guitar, plus bass and Victor Lewis on drums. The full group and various subdivisions played a really nice set. The second pianist was quite good, and could play in the style of Mr. Garner. Ending the first day in the Jazz Tent, Christian Scott appeared with his "Stretch Music" and band of young musicians (two saxophonists, guitar, bass guitar, two drummers, keyboards, all of whom Mr. Scott raved about at length). The volume of the group was extremely loud and the initial sound mix not so good (corrected as the set progressed), which almost drove me away. Instead, I simply moved further back in the venue, and was glad that I did. Scott is a very impressive trumpeter, and the original music played by his band quite interesting. On Saturday, beginning once again in Economy Hall, with Louis Ford and His New Orleans Flairs. This time, luck was with me--this band was terrific, with Ford on soprano sax and clarinet, and Jamil Sharif on trumpet. And they performed two compositions by Sidney Bechet. Good stuff. Next, I can barely contain my excitement, heading to the Belize Pavilion. The smallest venue in the festival was this year featuring music from Belize. Most importantly, this included the great band, The Garifuna Collective. The Garifuna people are a unique people in Central America, a blending of Native peoples and Africans who settled there after two slave ships were wrecked off the coast of Belize. Their music sounds more like West African music than Latin Music. The Garifuna Collective on this occasion consisted of two guitarists (the lead guitarist is an amazing and subtle player), bass guitar, three percussionists, and four vocalists. Their set is astounding--great songs with wonderful melodies and powerful rhythms. Simply great. Next, to the Jazz Tent, where Victor Goines (on clarinet, soprano and tenor saxophones) is leading a quartet. This set is also a fine one. And he plays Petite Fleur on clarinet--to hear two different groups playing Sidney Bechet's music on the same day, now that is a treat. Next, I stayed put in the Jazz Tent to maintain my excellent seat (anticipating Jack Dejohnette) for vocalist Leah Chase. Not really my cup of tea, she was fine, though, and had a quite excellent New Orleans alto player (I didn't catch his name) in her backing quartet, so the set proved to be of some merit. Ending the day for me in the Jazz Tent was Dejohnette Coltrane Garrison. I hadn't seen Jack Dejohnette since the the late 1980s, so it was a thrill to see him again. The trio was quite good, especially Mat Garrison on bass guitar/electronics. The highlight was the closing and epic version of The Two Jimmys (dedicated to Jimmy Garrison and Jimi Hendrix). The foregoing is a lot of music, but the last day of the First Weekend was rather astounding. All five groups I saw put on peak performances. So I started the day again taking advantage of the opportunity to hear The Garifuna Collective perform another (longer) set. The result was the same as the prior day--incredibly intense and exciting music. Next, to nearby Economy Hall for a set by Leroy Jones & New Orleans' Finest. In researching the groups appearing at the festival, I had read various testimonials to the effect that Leroy Jones was the finest unknown trumpeter in New Orleans. And in fact he proved to be a quite wonderful trumpet player. Another excellent experience in Economy Hall. And the contrast of well done traditional jazz was a perfect bridge after the intensity of The Garifuna Collective. Now, moving to the Jazz Tent for the duration of the day. First off, the Herlin Riley Quintet. I really like his drumming, recalling seeing him with Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Marsalis back in the 1980s (in fact, he was the best thing about Wynton's group, as I recall). His group was absolutely smoking--he had brought down alto and soprano saxophonist Godwin Louis and trumpeter Bruce Harris from New York, along with Emmett Cohen on piano. Riley was just as great a drummer as I recalled. A really hot set. The next set is the big event, and the Jazz Tent becomes filled with a very large crowd. The reason, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter are appearing next. I am not sure what to expect, as I was not that enamored of their recording, 1 plus 1. It was okay, but seemed to lack something. This concert does not suffer from that affliction. Herbie Hancock performs on a Fazioli grand piano and this time, also incorporates his electronic keyboard setup. Wayne Shorter is seated throughout the concert and plays only soprano sax. The first part of the concert is the type of acoustic piano/soprano interactive improvisation I was expecting--very nice. After awhile, Herbie switches to his keyboard setup and ups the volume, and Wayne's playing becomes very aggressive--it's the old Wayne, not the diffident Wayne--the piece is incredible and long and provokes a mid-concert standing ovation. The rest of the concert, Herbie alternates between acoustic and electric keyboards, sometimes incorporating both. The concert ends with All Blues, including Wayne playing some Charlie Parker quotes. The concert was amazing and felt like an historic event. After that, something different is required to close the day. And Terence Blanchard's E Collective was up to the task. Terence's chops were in very excellent shape this day. The group is high volume fusion, with a really strong bottom on the bass guitar player and drummer. This was another great set, ending with the anthemic Cosmic Warrior, bringing the day to an end with a suitable peak of intensity.