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Caught the second set by the Ari Hoenig group with Jean Michel Pilc on piano last night--that was one fantastic set. I was unable to catch the tenor saxophonists name.

Tonight, the Art Hoenig group will feature Jean Michel Pilc on piano.

Second set by the David Schnitter Quartet is just beginning. The cat is taking a bath on the piano.

Don't you mean Night life' Ken? Lovely album with the grossly under-recorded Jesse Powell in his only extended performances. MG Oops, yes you are right. I just got this one off of ebay. It belonged to some DJ named Bobby Dale. Nice record and nice sounding recording.

This recording, combining Norwegian choral group Skruk with Iranian vocalist Mahsa Vahdat, is quite excellent. http://www.amazon.com/Vinens-Speil-Skruk-Mahsa-Vahdat/dp/B00406IQ1U/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1361724319&sr=1-6&keywords=skruk I've been meaning to investigate Skruk a little more, but haven't gotten around to it.

Billy Butler, Night Letter (Prestige, purple label)

Dannie Richmond, In Jazz for the Culture Set (Impulse, mono. orange and black)

Actually, they are having a current sale--20% off with order of three or more. A few other good ones in the blues arena are: Big Mama Thornton, Ball and Chain; LIghtnin' Hopkins, Gold Star Sessions; Lowell Fulson, My First Recordings; Mance Lipscomb, Texas Songster and You Got to Reap What You Sow; the anthology Texas Blues; and Smokey Babe, Louisiana Country Blues.

I ordered from Avatar and it didn't take long at all.

In case anyone is interested in this set who has a Half Price Books nearby, they are currently selling this box set for $60.

That set came out last year and can be ordered directly from Mosaic for $100.

Eric Dolphy, Outward Bound (Prestige, blue label mono) Lou Donaldson, The Natural Soul (Blue Note, mono, NY USA deep groove)

A rather fine night of music--two sets by Mark Whitfield, followed by the trio Brooklyn Circle, featuring Stacy Dillard. Plus cat sleeping on piano.

I heard Mark Whitfield's first set last night; that was pretty intense. I hope to hear more tonight. Followed by Brooklyn Circle featuring Stacy Dillard.

John Lee Hooker, It Serve You Right to Suffer (Impulse, red and black) Duke Ellington, Masterpieces by Ellington (Columbia green label)

This CD played properly in my computer, but when I put it in my car CD, it inexplicably only registers and plays the first five tracks, which makes for a rather short CD. Has anyone else had this problem?

The John Ellis set was quite good. Friday and Saturday nights, the Mark Whitfield Family Band.

Just caught the last twenty minutes of the first set of the John Ellis group, with Aaron Goldberg on piano and Mike Moreno on guitar. Looking forward to the second set.

I too heard him years ago with Miles Davis and also with Michael Brecker and had mixed emotions. About seven or eight years ago I took the opportunity to hear him live again in the intimate context of the 55 Bar in New York (where he often plays on Monday and/or Wednesday nights when not touring), and my reservations were quickly obliterated. He has really matured into a wonderful improviser. He plays softly with great beauty and can still crank it up with great force as well (he actually plays at low volume more than high). I've been lucky to hear him at the 55 Bar seven times in the last eight years, and this has become one of my favorite live music experiences in recent years. And his recordings over the last decade or so, as you note, are all good.

The above recommended Le Super Biton National de Segou collection features amazing guitar playing by Mama Sissoko. I've purchased his solo effort, Soleil de Minuit, and like it a lot. Any other recommendations for Mama Sissoko?

Eddie Bert, Musician of the Year (London issue of Savoy recording) Mugsy Spanier, This is Jazz Broadcasts, set 1 (Circle 10 inch)

Currently enjoying the Neil Smith Quintet, which includes Ray Drummond on bass and Stacy Dillard on tenor sax.

Last night, Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang at Winstar Casino (on the Oklahoma side of the Texas-Oklahoma border). This turned out to be an excellent concert. The venue has surprisingly good sound; very clear and not overloud. Buddy was in fine form, playing a mixture of classic blues songs and compositions from his recent studio albums (I'm 74 Years Young had to be updated to his current age of 76). He played for about 45 minutes before bringing out Jonny Lang, departing from the stage, as Lang took over for two songs. I liked his guitar playing; his singing is about what one would expect. Then Buddy returned, and they played several songs together, with Buddy in the lead. The presence of Lang seemed to keep the program more focused than usual, and there was little of the abrupt song changes that are usual in Buddy Guy concerts. Essentially, it was a varied and dynamic 90 minute concert. Buddy Guy remains a strong and vital performer.

The Compositions of Thelonious Monk (Riverside mono, blue label)

I enjoy his work immensely through Electric Byrd. Unfortunately, the two times I saw him live (circa middle 1980s and early 1990s), his playing was greatly diminished.