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Who knew? Only open from 1-5 on Thursday. https://shermanjazzmuseum.com/collections/

James Blood Ulmer and George Adams, Phalanx Live (American Revelation Music)

Last night, Mimi Fox (trio and solo) at The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney.

Serena Assumpcao, Ascensao (Day Dreamer). Raises the question of whether I need to buy a second copy of this amazing posthumous record. Don Pullen, Solo Piano Album (Sackville)

The Big Ears store had several James Blood Ulmer CDs I've never seen before, including Phalanx Live with George Adams, which I did purchase.

Helen Gillet, Helkiase

No, it was not Dezron Douglas. I didn't recognize the bassist. Unfortunately, I missed Brandee Younger's own set, so I don't know who she had on bass. If anything was being recorded at the festival, it was not announced. Yes, I had seen him twice before; this was the best concert of his I have heard so far. Hopefully next year. On the plus side, they have added three pretty good new venues in the last two years: Old City PAC, the Point (a church), and the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.

My fourth Big Ears Festival was once again a wonderful experience. Twenty concerts in 3 and a half days. The first two days I mostly was at the Bijou Theater, which is one of the best concert venues I've ever been to. Thursday evening: Allison Russell: I enjoyed this set--a soulful and expressive singer/songwriter. Joe Lovano Trio: Marilyn Crispel on piano was the clear highlight of this set. Vijay Iyer/Linda Oh/Tyshawn Sorey: A quite excellent piano trio. Favorite set of the first day. Friday: Gregory Tardy: Composition based on A Pilgrim's Progress for a ten piece group. Mary Halvorson, Amaryllis. Vibes player Patricia Brennan was terrific. Mary Halvorson, Belladonna. Guitar and string quartet. Tyshawn Sorey Trio: Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano and Tyshawn Sorey. I'm not the biggest fan of the first two, but Tyshawn is fantastic and this set exceeded expectations. William Parker, In Order to Survive: The instrumentalists (William Parker, Gerald Cleaver, Rob Brown plus cornet) were good but I absolutely hated the two vocalists. Ruined the set for me. Makaya McCraven, In These Times: with a twelve piece band, including Brandee Younger and Joel Ross and a string quartet, in the lavish Tennessee Theater. Thrilling and majestic. Definitively my favorite set of the day and perhaps the festival. Saturday: Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba: In an earlier festival, I was thinking to myself, I can't believe I'm going to see Roscoe Mitchell at noon. Same thought today for Mali's ngoni ba griot. Just two ngoni ba players, two percussionists, and a vocalist. A fantastic set that was not hampered by the lousy venue (the Mill and the Mine). John Zorn, Suite for Piano (Brian Marsella on piano, Ches Smith on drums): A pleasing piano trio set. Charles Lloyd Chapel Trio: With Bill Frisell and Thomas Morgan: This was a truly beautiful concert. Trio Imagination (David Virelles, Reggie Workman, Andrew Cyrille): It was a long walk from the Knoxville Civic Auditorium to the Point, so I only heard the last half of this concert, but I was glad I did. Reggie Workman (85) and Andrew Cyrille (83) both still sound great. Vinicius Cantuaria: Some gentle Jobim-like samba mixed with Brazilian jazz. A strong quartet. I really liked this set. James Blood Ulmer: An overly crowded venue with not the best sound, (the Standard) but it was great to hear James Blood Ulmer live again. The jagged instrumentals were the best for me. The 83 year old guitarist still sounded in prime form. Favorite sets of the day: Bassekou Kouyate, Charles Lloyd and Vinicius Cantuaria. Sunday: John Zorn, Gnostic Trio (Bill Frisell, Kenny Wolleson (vibes), Carol Emmanuel (harp): Quiet chamber jazz which was pleasing to hear. Wadada Leo Smith (with piano, cello and Pheroan Aklaff on drums). Very good. James Brandon Lewis Trio: Loud and a bit too aggressive, but I do like the saxophonist, and he settled down in the last half of the set. Sona Jobarteh: Transcendent and spiritually uplifting set from the Gambian kora griot and band. Aurora Nealand The Monocle: A theatrical set, not a jazz set, where she plays accordion instead of the usual soprano saxophone and clarinet. Favorite sets of the day: Wadada Leo Smith and Sona Jobarteh.

Another great from Fort Worth, Texas.

April 26, 2023: Vieux Farka Toure, Tulips FTW, Fort Worth April 27, 2023: Vieux Farka Toure, Last Concert Cafe, Houston Mdou Moctar, Deep Ellum Art Company, Dallas Bassekou Kouyate and N'goni Ba, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana April 28, 2023: Bassekou Kouyate and N'goni Ba (Mali), Something Else! (Vincent Herring, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Essiet Essiet, Dave Kikowski, Lewis Nash, Paul Bollenback), Jason Marsalis with Warren Wolf, Nicholas Payton with MonoNeon, Charlie Musselwhite, Leroy Jones, King Oliver Centennial Band with Don Vapie, Helen Gillet, Plena Libre (Puerto Rico), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Mdou Moctar, Austin Psych Fest Angelique Kidjo, Tuba Skinny, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana Warren Wolf and Jason Marsalis, Snug Harbor, New Orleans April 29, 2023: Catherine Russell, Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Tuba Skinny, Secret Six, Alexey Marti, Kingfish Ingram, Larry Sieberth with Oz Noy, Taj Mahal, Plena Libre (Puerto Rico), Ángel “Papote” Alvarado y el Grupo Esencia (Puerto Rico), NOJHF Abisek Lahari (Sarod), Subrata Bhattacharya (tabla), Allen Public Library Sona Jobarteh, Bassekou Kouyate and N'goni Ba, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana Quamon Fowler, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth April 30, 2023: Donald Harrison and Aurora Nealand, Charlie Gabriel and Roger Lewis, Mdou Moctar (Niger), Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Kidd Jordan Tribute, John Mahoney Big Band, Kenny Neal, Ángel “Papote” Alvarado y el Grupo Esencia (Puerto Rico), NOJHF Vieux Farka Toure, Austin Psych Fest Sona Jobarteh, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana Catherine Russell, Snug Harbor, New Orelans May 2, 2023: Maurice Brown, Snug Harbor, New Orleans May 3, 2023: Djavan, House of Blues, Houston May 4, 2023: Mahmoud Chouki New World Ensemble, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Charlie Sepulveda and the Turnaround (Puerto Rico), Artemis (Rene Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Alexa Tarantino, Noriko Ueda, Allison Miller), Buddy Guy, Jamil Sharif, Meschiya Lake, Astral Project, Atabal (Puerto Rico), NOJHF Jason Marsalis, Snug Harbor, New Orleans May 5, 2023: Christian McBride New Jawn, Trumpet Mafia, Eric Gales, Sue Foley, Chris Thomas King, Louis Ford, Atabal (Puerto Rico), NOJHF Herlin Riley, Snug Harbor, New Orleans May 6, 2023, Terence Blanchard, Leyla McCalla, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Guitar Slim, Jr., Blodie's Jazz Jam, Los Guiros, NOJHF Donald Harrison, Snug Harbor, New Orleans May 7, 2023: Charlie Gabriel, Tom McDermott, Herbie Hancock, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Palm Court Jazz Band, NOJHF May 11, 2023: Jarekus Singleton, Sam's Burger Joint, San Antonio May 12, 2023: Kendrick Scott, Cullen Theater, Houston May 13, 2023: Ganesh and Kumaresh, LBJ Auditorium, Austin May 20, 2023: Matthew Whitaker, Carver Center, San Antonio May 22, 2023: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Meyerson, Dallas May 31, 2023: Al Di Meola, Kessler Theater, Dallas June 2-3: Harry Allen, Randy Sandke, West Texas Jazz Party, Odessa June 10, 2023: Indrayudh Majhumdar (Sarod), Houston Pt. Sugato Nag (Surbahar & Sitar), Gourisankar Karmakar (tabla), Allen Public Library July 29, 2023: Natalia Lafourcade, Majestic Theater, Dallas Eric Gales, Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, Houston August 11, 2023: Andy Summers, Heights, Houston August 12, 2023: Andy Summers, Kessler, Dallas August 19, 2023: WITCH, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas September 15, 2023: Lila Downs, Meyerson, Dallas September 16, 2023, Shakti with John McLaughlin, HEB Center's Austin Lila Downs, Meyerson, Dallas September 23, 2023: Tall City Blues Festival, Midland October 11, 2023: Pat Metheny, Majestic Theater, Dallas November 9, 2023: Terrence Blanchard, University of Texas, Austin February 2, 2024: Catherine Russell and Marcus Roberts, Jones Hall, Houston

First purchased Mosaic set was the Monk set at age 25, shortly after it came out.

The Complete Andre Previn Broadway Musical Albums. (Just kidding.)

APR08 Mimi Fox Trio Live at The Sanctuary Sat. Apr 8, 2023 8:00pm - 11:00pm CDT 13 days away $20.00 - $150.00 All Ages Join The Guitar Sanctuary as we present the return of Mimi Fox to The Sanctuary Music & Events Center, this time with her Trio to celebrate her new release "One for Wes" on Saturday April 8th at 8pm (doors open at 7). Mimi and her trio will be performing 2 full sets with a brief intermission.

Sidney Bechet and Albert Nicholas, Creole Reeds (Riverside) Charles Lloyd, Kindred Spirits (Blue Note)

Sidney Bechet and Mezz Mezzrow, Really the Blues (Vogue) Earl Hines, A Monday Date (Riverside) Sun Ra, The Magic City (Impulse)

It can be pre-ordered: https://www.amazon.com/Family-Business-Jim-Alfredson/dp/B0BY3FTKYG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1OGI50XU82SOE&keywords=Jim+alfredson&qid=1679762670&s=music&sprefix=jim+alfredson%2Cpopular%2C78&sr=1-3

Dolphy and Jaws with Mingus is what I want to hear.

Aron Goldberg Ruben Rogers Eric Harland Join us on Friday, April 7Th 2023. Three of the world’s most in-demand jazz musicians are coming to one of the most personal and intimate jazz venues in Texas -- the Astorian. Get super close and personal with three of the most amazing jazz musicians that the world has to offer. The night will be very special Eric Harland (space age percussionist) native Houstonian and Granduate and Board Member of the Houston High School fro Performing and Visual Arts will be hosting two of his good friends Ruben Rogers on Standup Bass, and Aaron Golberg on keys, as the Jazz TRIO A.R.E. in the first concert of the season at LIVE at the Astorian. Live at the Astorian, jazz series presented by Eric Harland in connection with WOND3R and the Astorian are on a mission to bring back the world’s top performing Jazz Artists to Houston. Houston has given birth to some of the world’s Jazz legends as part of the series we’re bringing LIVE music back to Houston. Don’t miss your chance to see A.R.E. seating is limited to less than a thousand tickets. Get your tickets before it sells out. Tickets available now. Band Meet and Greet $500 Come back stage and hang with the band in an exclusive one one experience with some of the world’s greatest jazz artists. VIP 175.00 Premium Seating 125.00 Premium Standing GA 75.00 Premium Standing for only $75. I wonder what non-premium standing goes for?

Setting the Pace is from the same recording session as The Trance.

Jaki Byard's On the Spot has Alan Dawson on drums.

Ornette is a Texas blues saxophonist, the best one. Randy Weston, by virtue of traveling, I was fortunately able to see twice in person. Solo piano once, and the other with his African Rhythms with Billy Harper and T.K. Blue.

Randy Weston, Piano A La Mode (Jubilee) Cal Tjader, Live and Direct (Fantasy)

March 30, 2023: Exploding Star Orchestra, Vijay Iyer, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, Tennessee Vanessa Collier, Dosey Doe, Houston March 31, 2023: Mary Halvorson, Makaya McCraven, William Parker, Marc Ribot, Gyan Riley, Ned Rothenberg, Antonio Sanchez, Tyshawn Sorey, Tarbaby with David Murray, Gregory Tardy, Big Ears Festival April 1, 2023: Zoh Amba, Vinicius Cantuaria, Etran de L'Air, Vijay Iyer, Bassekou Kouyate, Charles Lloyd, William Parker, Christian McBride, Sun Ra Arkestra, James Blood Ulmer, Brandee Younger, Trio Imagination, Etran de L'Air, Big Ears Festival Peggy Stern, First Presbyterian Church, Austin April 2, 2023: Theon Cross, Etran de L'Air, Wadada Leo Smith, Bill Frisell, Sona Jobarteh, James Brandon Lewis, Christian McBride, Marc Ribot, Aurora Nealand and Monocle, David Virelles, Big Ears Festival April 6, 2023: Etran de L'Air, Secret Group, Houston April 7, 2023: Etran de L'Air, Rubbergloves, Denton Ally Venable, Granada Theater, Dallas Aaron Goldberg, The Astorian, Houston Mimi Fox, Low Down, Tulsa April 8, 2023: Etran de L'Air, Far Out, Austin Mimi Fox, Guitar Sanctuary, McKinney Kenny Werner, Low Down, Tulsa Shelley Carrol, Kitchen Cafe, Dallas April 13, 2023: Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Roderick Paulin, Tuba Skinny, Joe Lastie, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 14, 2023, Louis Ford, French Quarter Festival April 15, 2023: Astral Project, Leroy Jones' Original Hurricane Brass Band, Little Freddie King, Meschiya Lake, Shannon Powell, French Quarter Festival April 16, 2023: Charlie Gabriel, Jamil Sharif, Leroy Jones, French Quarter Festival April 21-23, 2023: Moonlight Benjamin, Baton Rouge Blues Festival April 26, 2023: Vieux Farka Toure, Tulips FTW, Fort Worth April 27, 2023: Vieux Farka Toure, Last Concert Cafe, Houston Mdou Moctar, Deep Ellum Art Company, Dallas Bassekou Kouyate and N'goni Ba, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana April 28, 2023: Bassekou Kouyate and N'goni Ba (Mali), Something Else! (Vincent Herring, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Essiet Essiet, Dave Kikowski, Lewis Nash, Paul Bollenback), Jason Marsalis with Warren Wolf, Nicholas Payton with MonoNeon, Charlie Musselwhite, Leroy Jones, King Oliver Centennial Band with Don Vapie, Plena Libre (Puerto Rico), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Mdou Moctar, Austin Psych Fest Angelique Kidjo, Tuba Skinny, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana April 29, 2023: Catherine Russell, Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Tuba Skinny, Alexey Marti, Kingfish Ingram, Larry Sieberth with Oz Noy, Taj Mahal, Plena Libre (Puerto Rico), Ángel “Papote” Alvarado y el Grupo Esencia (Puerto Rico), NOJHF Abisek Lahari (Sarod), Subrata Bhattacharya (tabla), Allen Public Library Sona Jobarteh, Bassekou Kouyate and N'goni Ba, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana Quamon Fowler, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth April 30, 2023: Donald Harrison and Aurora Nealand, Charlie Gabriel and Roger Lewis, Mdou Moctar (Niger), Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Kidd Jordan Tribute, John Mahoney Big Band, Kenny Neal, Ángel “Papote” Alvarado y el Grupo Esencia (Puerto Rico), NOJHF Vieux Farka Toure, Austin Psych Fest Sona Jobarteh, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette, Lousiana May 3, 2023: Djavan, House of Blues, Houston May 4, 2023: Mahmoud Chouki New World Ensemble, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Charlie Sepulveda and the Turnaround (Puerto Rico), Artemis (Rene Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Alexa Tarantino, Noriko Ueda, Allison Miller), Buddy Guy, Jamil Sharif, Meschiya Lake, Astral Project, Atabal (Puerto Rico), NOJHF May 5, 2023: Christian McBride New Jawn, Trumpet Mafia, Eric Gales, Sue Foley, Chris Thomas King, Louis Ford, Atabal (Puerto Rico), NOJHF May 6, 2023, Terence Blanchard, Leyla McCalla, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Guitar Slim, Jr., Blodie's Jazz Jam, Los Guiros, NOJHF May 7, 2023: Charlie Gabriel, Tom McDermott, Herbie Hancock, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Palm Court Jazz Band, NOJHF May 11, 2023: Jarekus Singleton, Sam's Burger Joint, San Antonio May 12, 2023: Kendrick Scott, Cullen Theater, Houston May 13, 2023: Ganesh and Kumaresh, LBJ Auditorium, Austin May 20, 2023: Matthew Whitaker, Carver Center, San Antonio May 22, 2023: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Meyerson, Dallas May 31, 2023: Al Di Meola, Kessler Theater, Dallas June 2-3: Harry Allen, Randy Sandke, West Texas Jazz Party, Odessa June 10, 2023: Indrayudh Majhumdar (Sarod), Houston Pt. Sugato Nag (Surbahar & Sitar), Gourisankar Karmakar (tabla), Allen Public Library July 29, 2023: Natalia Lafourcade, Majestic Theater, Dallas August 11, 2023: Andy Summers, Heights, Houston August 12, 2023: Andy Summers, Kessler, Dallas September 15, 2023: Lila Downs, Meyerson, Dallas September 16, 2023, Shakti with John McLaughlin, HEB Center's Austin Lila Downs, Meyerson, Dallas September 23, 2023: Tall City Blues Festival, Midland

Ornette Coleman, The Shape of Jazz to Come (Atlantic) Randy Weston, Live at the Five Spot (United Artist, Japanese Pressing)

Yesterday, the Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival at Southside Preservation Hall, an historic building dating to 1911, just south of downtown Fort Worth. I heard three concerts from the festival's headliners, as well as a very interesting lecture from Justin Robinson regarding the West African roots of American music. Jake Blount, on banjo, fiddle and vocals, accompanied by a percussive dancer. Not my usual area of interest, but a very fine musician for sure, focusing on music sourced to little recorded or unrecorded rural black and Native American musicians. Tray Wellington, on banjo, in a group with acoustic guitar, mandolin/fiddle, and acoustic bass. This set was first-rate, a fusion of bluegrass and jazz. Superior original material, plus they played compositions by Roy Hargrove and Mississippi John Hurt. This slightly reminded me of seeing David Grisman's Dawg Jazz at the Caravan of Dreams years ago, except this group was much better. Immediately ordered the leader's last CD, Black Banjo. Closing out the evening, Austin's Jackie Venson, was in incendiary form, accompanied by drummer Rodney Hyder. That was one of the best sets I've heard from her. Thrilling guitar playing on display. Sound for the evening was nearly perfect. Kudos to the sound man. The only disappointments were the size of the crowd was not that large (I hope the festival returns for its third year in 2024), and Kaia Kater was in the audience but did not perform.