GA Russell

not jazz 5 LPs on 2 CDs Disc One

The Combine explained https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/25/cfl-combine-101-the-basics-behind-every-drill/ ***** Power Rankings, cont. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/25/everything-wrong-with-the-way-too-early-amsoil-power-rankings/ ***** Free Agent analysis https://3downnation.com/2025/02/25/what-the-edmonton-elks-paid-their-2025-free-agent-signings-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

There was quite an auto race in Australia Saturday.

Power Rankings! https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/the-way-too-early-amsoil-power-rankings-are-here/ ***** Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/mmqb-favourite-east-division-free-agent-moves-so-far/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/22/how-much-the-saskatchewan-roughriders-paid-their-top-2025-free-agent-signings/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/24/what-the-b-c-lions-paid-their-top-2025-free-agent-signings-how-they-fit-in-to-the-roster/ ***** Ace Eley was BC's Outstanding Rookie last year, but last week they cut him. Today he signed with the Redblacks. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/redblacks-sign-american-lb-ayinde-eley/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/22/sources-b-c-lions-release-most-outstanding-rookie-nominee-ayinde-eley/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/24/ottawa-redblacks-lb-ayinde-ace-eley-following-release-from-b-c-lions/ ***** Julian Howsare has returned to the Ticats. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/ticats-add-defensive-end-julian-howsare/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/defensive-lineman-julian-howsare-returns-to-hamilton-tiger-cats-1.2256968 https://3downnation.com/2025/02/24/hamilton-tiger-cats-bring-back-veteran-dl-julian-howsare/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/hamilton-tiger-cats/american-de-howsare-returns-to-the-tiger-cats-additional-d-lineman-signed/ ***** Sask analyses https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/saskatchewan-roughriders-top-5-breakout-candidates-for-2025-gregs-version/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-february-23/

RIP Roberta Flack! I saw her ca. 1970 in a club in Washington called Mr. B's. I remember that the bass player was Steve Novosel. The one song I remember her singing was a hit some time later by The Carpenters - Leon Russell's Superstar (Don't you remember you told me you loved me, baby?).

Jim Snidero Bird Feathers Impacting February 24th, 2025 Format: Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Jim Snidero - Bird Feathers 05:12 2. Jim Snidero - Scrapple from the Apple 05:34 3. Jim Snidero - These Foolish Things 07:09 4. Jim Snidero - Ornithology 05:03 5. Jim Snidero - Embraceable You 05:57 6. Jim Snidero - The Nearness of You 05:20 7. Jim Snidero - Charlie’s Wig 04:44 8. Jim Snidero - Confirmation 05:06 9. Jim Snidero - Lover Man 02:52 New from Jim Snidero on Savant Records JIM SNIDERO - Bird Feathers Savant Records SCD 2224 Jim Snidero – alto saxophone Peter Washington – bass Joe Farnsworth – drums Airplay starts now • Suggested Tracks 1. Bird Feathers 5:12 • 2. Scrapple from the Apple 5:34 6. The Nearness of You 5:17 • 7. Charlie’s Wig 4:44 Like our stuff? Let’s hear from you. Record Company Contact Barney Fields • Savant Records, Inc. jazzdepo@ix.netcom.com • (212) 873-2020 • www.jazzdepot.com SCD 2224 J... 2224 Jim S... Richard Baratta Looking Back Impacting February 24th, 2025 Format: Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Richard Baratta - I Feel Good 04:58 2. Richard Baratta - Purple Haze 04:36 3. Richard Baratta - Blowin’ in the Wind 05:01 4. Richard Baratta - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds 05:45 5. Richard Baratta - Feeling Good 06:24 6. Richard Baratta - California Dreamin' 04:51 7. Richard Baratta - Whole Lotta Love 05:51 8. Richard Baratta - Hey Jude 06:25 9. Richard Baratta - Respect 05:51 10. Richard Baratta - You Can't Always Get What You Want 05:06 New from Richard Baratta on Savant Records RICHARD BARATTA - Looking Back Savant Records SCD 2222 Richard Baratta - drums, leader Bill O'Connell - piano • Vincent Herring - alto saxophone Paul Bollenback - guitar • Michael Goetz - bass Paul Rossman - percussion • Carroll Scott – vocal (track 5 only) Airplay starts now • Suggested Tracks 1. I Feel Good 4:58 • 3. Blowin’ in the Wind 5:04 4. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds 5:47 • 6. California Dreamin’ 4:53 Like our stuff? Let’s hear from you. Record Company Contact Barney Fields • Savant Records, Inc. jazzdepo@ix.netcom.com • (212) 873-2020 • www.jazzdepot.com SCD 2222 R... SCD 2222 R...

Jim, that's not the point. The man who releases a new album every year can claim to be a recording artist. That is more valuable than the dollars he receives for the CDs, I think.

Suppose a guy wanted to make a CD as a vanity exercise on the cheap. How much would it cost him? Any idea? For years Blossom Dearie made her own albums.

Ken, I'm surprised to hear this. Years ago I saw Roger Moore tell Johnny Carson that when he was starting out, Noel Coward told him to take any acting job that became available; because an out-of-work actor isn't anything. I would think that a jazz musician who annually released a new CD could use it as proof that he is still in the business.

Speaking of Blossom Dearie, I would like to see a Blossom Dearie Verve box. I don't think it would come close to filling seven CDs, but the albums I have are quite good.

My least favorite of the series thus far (of the nine I have read).

Johnny Augustine has signed with the Ticats. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/21/ticats-sign-national-rb-johnny-augustine/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-veteran-canadian-de-enock-makonzo-1.2255559 https://3downnation.com/2025/02/21/hamilton-bomber-cats-canadian-rb-johnny-augustine-becomes-eighth-ex-winnipeg-player-to-signs-with-ticats/

Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/19/5-notable-free-agency-signings-in-recent-years/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/19/10-sneaky-good-free-agency-signings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/20/5-noteworthy-canadian-free-agent-signings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/20/which-team-made-the-biggest-free-agency-splash/ ***** Kerfalla Exume has signed with the Riders. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-two-time-grey-cup-champion-db-kerfalla-exume-1.2253977 https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/18/riders-sign-defensive-back-kerfalla-exume/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-canadian-db-kerfalla-exume/ ***** Charlie Baillie has died at 90. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/longtime-montreal-alouettes-player-mcgill-head-coach-charlie-baillie-dead-at-90/ ***** Anthony Bennett has signed with the Als. https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-pick-dl-anthony-bennett-to-1-year-deal/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-anthony-bennett/ ***** David Mackie has agreed to become the players union's new Executive Director. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/recently-retired-canadian-fullback-david-mackie-hired-as-cflpa-executive-director-sources/ ***** Juwan Simpson will be an assistant coach at East Mississippi Community College. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/20/former-cfl-player-coach-juwan-simpson-hired-at-east-mississippi-community-college/ ***** Lucky Whitehead will be an assistant coach at a Fredericksburg, VA, high school. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/20/retired-cfl-all-star-lucky-whitehead-hired-as-receivers-coach-special-teams-coordinator-for-virginia-high-school/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/the-end-of-a-lucky-era/ ***** Argos analysis https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/can-toronto-argonauts-survive-another-off-season-of-great-turnover/ ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/saskatchewan-roughriders-top-5-breakout-candidates-for-2025-alexs-version/

GERMAN JAZZ PRIZE 2025 Introducing the Expert and Special Jury – Award Ceremony on June 13 in Cologne ● 30 high-profile professionals on the expert and special jury ● Awards in 22 categories ● Award ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne Preparations for the German Jazz Prize 2025 are well underway. Organized by the Initiative Musik, this prestigious award, now in its fifth edition, honors outstanding achievements in jazz and improvised music. The award ceremony will take place on June 13, 2025, at the E-Werk in Cologne. 25 High-Profile Members of the Expert Jury and Five More on the Special Jury The 25-member expert jury, consisting of renowned figures from the jazz and improvised music scene, is responsible for selecting the nominees from more than 1,000 submissions. This independent jury represents the broad spectrum of the genre, bringing together artists and experts from the fields labels/publishing, venues/festivals, artist management/agencies, and media/journalism. Their collective expertise ensures that the diversity of jazz is well represented, and outstanding artistic achievements are recognized. This year, for the first time, a five-member special jury will select the four nominees as well as the prize winner in the category Composition/ Arrangement. "It was an honor to serve as a jury member in this category. It was a truly fascinating process, discovering new and interesting arrangements, compositions, and artistic expressions. The diversity, variety, and broad spectrum of innovative approaches showcased how jazz can be seen through different lenses. It was also inspiring to witness the dedication, passion, and care each jury member brought to the process of analyzing the applications." Diego Piñera, Member of the Special Jury The 21 winners in the other categories will be selected by the 17-member main jury, which will be announced at a later date. Awards in 22 Categories The German Jazz Prize, which awards a minimum of €10,000 to each winner, recognizes a total of 22 categories, including artists, recording/production, live, composition/arrangement, and three special prizes. The prize highlights the importance of achievements in jazz as a whole and aims to recognize and promote the genre alongside improvised music in all its forms. Award Ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne on June 13 The highlight of the German Jazz Prize 2025 is the award ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne. Outstanding musicians and artists from the jazz scene gather on June 13 to celebrate the diversity and innovative power of the genre. Further information can be found at www.deutscher-jazzpreis.de Expert Jury of the German Jazz Prize 2025: ● Anja Illmaier – Intakt Records, Director of Taktlos Festival, Association Friends of Irène Schweizer ● Daniela Siemon – PR Consultant, Owner of the Agency der Promotor ● Dennis Wiesch – Dramaturgy and Project Development at Monheimer Kulturwerke GmbH ● Dhanesh Jayaselan – Creative Director, Producer & Cultural Curator ● Isumi Rögner – Cultural Manager, Dramaturg, Translator, Jazz Advisor at Goethe-Institute Head Office ● Janis Burley Wilson – President of August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Founder/Director of Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival ● Judyth Babin – Artist Manager, Tour Agent, Label ● Karen Kennedy – Artist Manager, President and Founder 24 Seven Artist Development ● Kevin le Gendre – Journalist and Broadcaster ● Marie Blobel – Curator jazzwerkstatt Peitz & jazzexzess ● Marieke Meischke – Writer, Artistic Director Jazz Maastricht/Music Meeting Festival, Advisor Dutch Performing Arts Fund, Confidential Counsellor ●Martin Brugger – Musician and Producer, Co-Founder of Squama Recordings ● Max von Pretz – Co-Artistic Director of the Südtirol Jazzfestival Alto Adige and Artistic Director of the Jazz Program at Dekadenz Brixen ● Maxi Broecking – Journalist, Author (ZEIT, Tagesspiegel, Taz, Jazzthing), Lecturer (Columbia University, HCA), Curator, Publicist ● Michaela Drnek Bóková – Label Manager, Producer, Vocalist ● Natalie Greffel – Musician and Curator for XJAZZ! Festival ● Olga Reznichenko – Pianist, Educator ● Sebastian Hecht – Managing Director of XJAZZ! Festival ● Shannon Barnett – Musician, Composer, Educator ● Silvan Strauss – Drummer and Producer ● Sophie Emilie Beha – Music Journalist, Curator, Author, Presenter ● Tony Lakatos – Saxophonist, Composer, Producer ● Vincent Bababoutilabo – Musician, Author ● Werner Aldinger – Label Owner (enja & yellowbird records) ● Wolf Kampmann – Music Journalist, Author, University Lecturer Special Jury of the German Jazz Prize 2025: ● Charlotte Greve – Saxophonist & Composer ● Diego Piñera – Drummer, Composer, Arranger ● Django Bates – Pianist, Eb Horn Player, Composer, Educator and Professor of Jazz at Bern University of the Arts ● Gebhard Ullmann – Musician (Woodwind Instruments) and Composer ● Sylvaine Hélary – Flutist, Composer and Artistic Director of Orchestre National de Jazz GERMAN JAZZ PRIZE Since 2021, the German Jazz Prize has been honoring outstanding artistic achievements in the national and international jazz scenes. Main sponsor of the prize is Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. The fifth edition takes place on June 13 at the E-Werk in Cologne, in cooperation with the city of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Now only $32.38!

Disc One

It has begun to snow. Still light flurries. The forecast calls for three inches. This is our third snowfall of the year. I think this is the first time we've had three since I moved here in the autumn of 2001. The first was an inch that was gone in 24 hours. The second was maybe two inches that lasted a couple of days. The temp will rise to the 50s in a few days, so I expect today's to be gone quickly. There is no traffic at all. The Publix was somewhat crowded, but no apparent bread-and-milk panic buying.

Adrian Galante Declares His Arrival in the Jazz World With "Introducing Adrian Galante," Set for April 25 Release On Zoho Music Australian Clarinetist Debuts with a Collection of Standards & A Superlative Quintet Spearheaded by Pianist Tamir Hendelman CD Release Show at Birdland (Upstairs), NYC, Sunday, June 1, 5:30pm   February 19, 2025 Adrian Galante offers up his wide-open, highly expressive clarinet sound to the world with the April 25 release of Introducing Adrian Galante (Zoho Music). The 28-year-old Australian-born musician engages with an ace Los Angeles–based quintet that includes pianist Tamir Hendelman, guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Alex Frank, and drummer Joe LaBarbera on a program of eight pieces from the Great American Songbook. While studying what has become a lesser-played instrument in jazz, Galante has absorbed the clarinet’s major voices, and it shows in his playing. Yet the more immediate inspiration for his beautiful tone and playing style is the jazz vocal tradition. “I remember hearing Tony Bennett talk about the way Bing Crosby revolutionized popular singing, getting right up close to the microphone making a very intimate sound,” Galante says. “I like to approach the clarinet in the same way.” As a result, the young clarinetist has created for himself a broad palette of interpretive and emotional nuances—and he applies them with similar breadth. “When most musicians play a song, they’re usually content to play only the music,” observes music critic Will Friedwald in the liner notes to Introducing. “Adrian, however, plays the whole song.” Sure enough, Galante brings a rare depth to his performances of pieces like Cy Coleman and David Zippel’s “With Every Breath I Take” and a brooding rendition of Cole Porter’s “It’s Alright with Me” (on both of which he plays Fender Rhodes as well as clarinet). But if his clarinet uncannily expresses the romance and wanderlust of Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse’s “Two for the Road,” on which Galante also plays the tender celeste accents, that’s no impediment to his swinging ferociously—and even bringing a little bit of bite to his tone—on “You’re All the World to Me.” It's rare for a new jazz musician to have such a fully formed and distinctive voice upon their arrival, and rarer still for that voice to be on the clarinet. Introducing Adrian Galante should find a warm welcome in jazz lovers’ collections. Adrian Galante was born October 24, 1996, in Perth, Western Australia. While he came from a classical lineage—his grandfather was an opera singer—and his parents loved pop music, Galante was from a young age drawn to the buoyant rhythms of jazz. It was at around the same time—age seven—that he was also drawn to the clarinet and began taking lessons. By 15, he was playing professionally. From that auspicious early start, Galante would follow a path that took him to Perth’s West Australian Academy of Performing Arts—which, in turn, took him to a summer program at New York University. He ultimately made the permanent move to the Big Apple in 2022, deciding to facilitate his development as a jazz artist by living and working in the music’s mecca. Meanwhile, Galante was taking advantage of the opportunity to perform across America; in August 2022, he joined L.A. pianist Tamir Hendelman in a concert in Seattle. Not long after, while Hendelman was visiting New York, he and Galante had dinner together and began the discussions that led to the clarinetist making his first recording. Hendelman recruited his California colleagues Larry Koonse, Alex Frank, and Joe LaBarbera to play on the date; Galante served as producer. The end product, of course, is Introducing Adrian Galante. It is the launch of what promises to be a stellar and accomplished career for the gifted young clarinetist from Perth. Adrian Galante will perform a CD release show at Birdland (upstairs), New York City, on Sunday, June 1, 5:30pm. Photography: Angelique Lee    EPK: "Introducing Adrian Galante"  Adrian Galante Web Site

Thanks, guys! You've given me a number of ideas.

Has anyone come upon a relatively new browser he likes?

Christoph Irniger's Quintet PILGRIM with HUMAN INTELLIGENCE LIVE CD AND DIGITAL FORMATS AVAILABLE ON MARCH 21, 2025. INTAKT - CD 434/2025, EAN 7640120194345 WWW.INTAKTREC.CH Christoph Irniger - Tenor Sax Stefan Aeby - Piano Dave Gisler - Guitar Raffaele Bossard - Bass Michael Stulz - Drums   The quintet Pilgrim, founded by Zurich-based tenor saxophonist Christoph Irniger, has become one of the most exciting ensembles in young European Jazz over the years and will present their sixth album Human Intelligence Liveon Intakt Records in March 2025. In their gorgeously considered, but luxuriantly open music the quintet uses ambiguity as a tool. Some compositions are freely improvised, while others are completely notated, yet most lie in between, with an elasticity that reflects a life of freedom, where informed choices are made spontaneously. The accompanying soundtrack oscillates between enigmatic reflection and wild eruptions, although the band creates a dense, all-round sound which is hard to categorize. The music on this album defies all things artificial. Human Intelligence is a complete live concert performed by Christoph Irniger’s Pilgrim at Red Horn District in Bad Meinberg, Germany, in November 2023. The set is captured from beginning to end, with no changes in the running order of the songs and just a few minor edits made to the final audio. Christoph Irniger with Pilgrim © Jonas Ruther Irniger says in the liner notes: “It is definitively an album for a listener who is able and likes to take his time to dive into the music,” says Irniger. “I think the power of this live album lies in the fact, that the listener can hear how things evolve, how composition melts into improvisation (and vice versa), how the music processes through different stages of emotions. Since the set list was built on the spot, you even notice sometimes musicians deciding differently, going different ways and finding each other again. There are doubts and questions, leading into resolution and common energy. The path is not always straight and needs rethinking or reflection sometimes, but because of the trust, common idea and subordination of the ego of everyone, the music can develop always. It’s like living together in society, or what I’d wish for it to be.” And Kevin LeGendre adds: "The quintet is as cohesive as it is imaginative, as much a triumph of advanced ensemble chemistry as it is the precision of each player." The five members of the group, which was formed in 2010, come from different parts of Switzerland. They also play in various other groups, throughout the world and their work as leader, sideman or composer is documented on various records. Pilgrim Live © Frederic Laverriere “Hendrix” - This new song features a stellar slow burning guitar solo by the one and only Dave Gisler over a meditative world of endless chords. It honors Jimi Hendrix and artists (like Thelonious Monk for example) who can combine simplicity with complexity, which is one of the key elements for me as a composer and improviser. “Calling the Spirits” - The song was released on the studio album Ghost Cat. The song is about coming together as a band, family, community, or the world to celebrate music. “I believe that music is always here, but you must find your way to it. It's like higher spirits in whatever form it may be.” “Secret Level” - The song was released as ghost track on the studio album Ghost Cat. It is about a secret level, like computer games used to have. Opposite to those secret levels which are hard to find, where you can get all the money and leave strong, this secret level is easy to find, but hard to get out of. It's easy to get lost. The tune “Emergency Exit" on this record is about finding your way out of that level. “Human Intelligence” - This is a new song which is kind of an interlude of reflection. The music makes a step back in complexity and density to leave space for personal thoughts. It gives time to process, ask questions and find answers. It is about a calm, mindful and human way of evolving, leading into resolution and common energy. The piece occurs first out of the Secret Level as short Interlude and is played later in the set in its full version. “Seven Down Eight Up” - The song was released on the studio album Ghost Cat. It is inspired by the book Listening by Nik Bärtsch. In one chapter he talks about the Aikido principle of falling seven times and standing up eight times. “At the time I wrote the song, I had very serious back problems which led to surgery, and I had to pause for six months. I found it very inspiring to see this not as a problem, but more as a situation to solve, which gives me the chance to find new ways and learn something new. As reference there is a "module-Ish" part in the middle of the piece (Nik Bärtsch calls his songs "modules").” “The Kraken” - The song was released on the live album Big Wheel Live and appears only as little snippet, developing from the song played before (and the band decided on the spot not to play it thru then). “It is one of my Wayne Shorter tribute pieces. The image therefore is Wayne Shorter (with his Quartet) who was able to embrace a whole concert hall like an octopus.” “Emergency Exit” - The song consists of a 10-bar form with a melody, chords and bassline. It is played as a suite with different parts that use combinations and improvisations with and over the material. It is basically always the same musical material but sounds totally different in each section. It’s about situations in life that occur and feel very differently, depending on the perspective. In this context it tells the story of the protagonist finding its way out of the Secret Level, going thru different emotions (hope, fear, joy, etc..) and coming to a resolution in the end. “Back in the Game” - The song was released on the first quintet album Italian Circus Story and is always great to close the set with, since it has the quality of exit music in a film. It is inspired by the movie with the same name by Clint Eastwood. The song is about believing in the big wheel of life which keeps on turning, trust that things will come as they have to and feel good about it. https://christophirniger.bandcamp.com | Christoph Irniger Name Pronounciation (upper right corner) TRACKS 1. Hendrix (Christoph Irniger) 5:31 2. Calling the Spirits (Christoph Irniger) 14:27 3. Secret Level (Christoph Irniger) 3:38 4. Human Intelligence (Interlude) (Christoph Irniger) 2:18 5. Seven Down Eight Up (Christoph Irniger) 13:06 6. The Kraken (Christoph Irniger) 1:48 7. Human Intelligence (Christoph Irniger) 6:14 8. Emergency Exit (Christoph Irniger) 12:25 9. Back In The Game (Christoph Irniger) 5:23 Total: 64:04 All compositions by Christoph Irniger. Live recorded on November 29, 2023, at Red Horn District, Bad Meinberg, Germany by Christopher Opelt. Mixed in September 2024 in Berne by Christoph Utzinger. Mastered in November 2024 in Zug by Alex Huber. Cover art: Jamie Breiwick, Graphic design: Paul Bieri, Liner notes: Kevin Le Gendre, Photos: Markus Ecker. Produced by Christoph Irniger and Intakt Records.  Christoph Irniger with Pilgrim © Frederic Laverriere

I'm surprised that 25% of gamblers bet on soccer. Perhaps they are all immigrants. And I didn't know that anybody bets on tennis.

Power Rankings! https://3downnation.com/2025/02/17/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-elks-off-season-splash-creates-ripple-but-doesnt-moisten-podium/ ***** Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/17/mmqb-favourite-west-division-free-agency-moves-so-far/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-february-16/ ***** Al Valdes has died at 89. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/15/stampeders-leading-rusher-in-1957-al-valdes-dead-at-89/ ***** His new contract with the Ticats makes Kenny Lawler the league's highest-paid non quarterback. I love Lawler, but he's getting old. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/16/hamilton-tiger-cats-make-kenny-lawler-cfls-highest-paid-non-quarterback/ ***** This comes as a surprise to me. The Elks' Robbie Smith's new contract makes him the league's highest-paid defensive player. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/17/edmonton-elks-make-robbie-smith-cfls-highest-paid-defensive-player/ ***** Brandon Barlow has signed with the Elks. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/16/elks-sign-dl-brandon-barlow-after-ticats-release-prior-to-offseason-roster-bonus/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/hamilton-tiger-cats-to-release-american-dl-brandon-barlow-expected-to-sign-with-edmonton-elks-1.2253504 https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/a-line-in-the-sand-tiger-cats-release-de-brandon-barlow/

Episode 38 https://artpepper.bandcamp.com/track/straight-life-audiocast-episode-38

Here we go! Last year's contracts expired on Tuesday, so there were lots of signings and team-hopping this week. Let's begin with the overall picture. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/a-team-by-team-look-at-2025-cfl-free-agency/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/12/grading-every-teams-free-agency-so-far/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/12/each-cfl-teams-additions-and-subtractions-in-free-agency-thus-far/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/tsn-ca-cfl-free-agency-blog-recapping-day-1-1.2250570 https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/blue-bombers-stampeders-open-second-day-of-free-agency-with-early-moves-1.2251246 ***** Some specific analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/13/landrys-10-free-agency-takeaways/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/13/4-top-free-agents-still-on-the-market/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/13/5-impactful-free-agency-signings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/14/6-free-agency-matches-made-in-heaven/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/14/5-under-the-radar-free-agency-signings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/14/5-pff-approved-free-agency-signings/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/hamilton-tiger-cats/breaking-down-the-tiger-cats-free-agency-haul-new-additions-wr-lawler-db-stubblefield-and-dl-garbutt/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/tiger-cats-free-agency-roundup-secure-five-free-agents-including-db-amos/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bombers-agreeing-to-terms-with-numerous-players/ ***** Some particularly noteworthy moves Derrick Moncrief to Edmonton https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/report-stampeders-agree-to-deal-with-lb-derrick-moncrief/ Peyton Logan to Winnipeg https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/bombers-sign-running-back-returner-peyton-logan/ Tommy Stevens to Sask https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/riders-sign-quarterback-tommy-stevens/ Hergy Mayala to Toronto https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/argos-sign-hergy-mayala-darrius-bratton-celestin-haba/ Micah Awe to BC https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/lions-sign-linebacker-micah-awe-to-two-year-contract/ Jeremiah Masoli to BC https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/veteran-qb-jeremiah-masoli-signs-with-lions/ Damon Webb to Calgary https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/stamps-sign-defensive-back-damon-webb/ Adam Auclair to BC https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/lions-sign-lb-adam-auclair-db-deontai-williams/ David Foucault to BC https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/lions-add-national-ol-david-foucault/ Adam Konar to BC https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/national-lb-adam-konar-agrees-to-one-year-contract-with-lions/ Tunde Adeleke to Ottawa https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/redblacks-sign-adeleke-lyon-henderson-to-one-year-deals/ Tevin Jones to Calgary https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/stamps-sign-american-receiver-tevin-jones/ Matt Shiltz to Ottawa https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/quarterback-matt-shiltz-signs-one-year-deal-with-redblacks/ Shawn Oakman to Montreal https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/als-sign-defensive-lineman-shawn-oakman/ Jeshrun Antwi (my favorite punter) to Calgary https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/stamps-sign-national-rb-jeshrun-antwi/ Liam Dobson to Hamilton https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/ticats-sign-ol-liam-dobson-to-two-year-contract/ Royce Metchie to Edmonton https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/11/defensive-back-royce-metchie-among-elks-six-free-agency-moves/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/its-official-the-edmonton-elks-sign-db-royce-metchie-on-a-two-year-deal/ Shea Patterson to Winnipeg https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/12/bombers-sign-quarterback-shea-patterson-to-one-year-deal/ Geno Lewis to Ottawa https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/12/redblacks-eugene-lewis-agree-to-two-year-contract/ Sean McEwen to Sask https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/12/riders-sign-veteran-offensive-lineman-sean-mcewen/ David Beard, Jake Ceresna, Tyrell Ford to Edmonton https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/12/elks-sign-ford-ceresna-beard-smith-brinkman/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/12/official-edmonton-elks-sign-all-cfl-db-tyrell-ford-twin-brother-of-qb-tre-ford/ Ciante Evans to Toronto https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/12/argos-sign-four-including-anthony-lanier-ii-and-ciante-evans/ Steven Dunbar to Edmonton https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/13/receiver-steven-dunbar-jr-signs-with-elks/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/american-receiver-steven-dunbar-jr-rejoins-the-edmonton-elks-1.2252458 https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/trying-again-edmonton-elks-bring-back-receiver-steven-dunbar-jr-for-second-stint/ Cody Grace to Edmonton https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/official-edmonton-elks-sign-former-all-star-punter-cody-grace/ Kenny Lawler to Hamilton https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/kenny-lawler-believes-leaving-winnipeg-for-hamilton-a-better-move-than-edmonton-foray/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/blue-bombers-gm-kyle-walters-winnipeg-priced-out-on-free-agent-losses-lawler-dobson-ford/ ***** David Mackie has retired. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/canadian-running-back-david-mackie-announces-retirement-from-cfl/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/13/fullback-david-mackie-announces-retirement/ ***** Lucky Whitehead has retired. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/14/former-all-star-cfl-receiver-lucky-whitehead-retires-from-pro-football/ ***** The Als announced their football operations staff for this year. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/14/als-announce-football-operations-staff-for-2025/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/14/alouettes-gm-danny-maciocia-hires-daughter-bianca-as-football-operations-assistant/ ***** Wally Gabler has died at 80. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/former-cfl-quarterback-wally-gabler-passes-away-at-80/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/former-cfl-quarterback-wally-gabler-dies-at-the-age-of-80-1.2252475 ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/roughriders-running-back-room-requires-resolve-in-riderville/