GA Russell

I really, really like this one.

Sounds great! Break a leg Allen!

RIP Didier Lockwood!

Happy 65th Birthday June Jones! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Jones

Here is this morning's top 20 still available... http://3downnation.com/2018/02/17/whos-left-top-20-remaining-cfl-free-agents/#comments ***** Here are more memories of Leo Cahil. http://canoe.com/sports/football/cfl/toronto-argonauts/simmons-former-argos-coach-leo-cahill-dies-at-89/wcm/c8538f63-6c16-4c48-891d-4e52c14639c2 https://www.tsn.ca/former-argos-coach-gm-cahill-dies-at-89-1.1001648 http://3downnation.com/2018/02/17/davis-leo-lip-gone/#comments http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/argos-leo-cahill-obit-1.4539317

Shatner has signed to record a country record. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/16/william-shatner-inks-deal-with-country-music-label/

I'm confident that there will be more Leo Cahill obits tomorrow. ***** Today's signings... Kyries Hebert - Ottawa http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/als-cut-lb-kyries-hebert-upon-his-request/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/als-release-veteran-linebacker-kyries-hebert/ http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/former-alouettes-lb-kyries-hebert-signs-with-redblacks/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/hebert-makes-guarantee-reed-fine-squandering-feb-1-bonus-paid-to-linebacker/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/hebert-goes-back-roots-signs-redblacks/ Craig Roh - Winnipeg http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/bombers-sign-former-lions-dl-craig-roh/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/bombers-add-craig-roh-d-line/ Juron Criner - Edmonton http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/eskimos-add-former-redblacks-receiver-juron-criner/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/criner-esks-agree-one-year-deal/ Johnny Augustine - Sask http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/riders-sign-canadian-rb-johnny-augustine/#comments Derek Dennis - Calgary http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/back-to-calgary-ol-derek-dennis-rejoins-the-stampeders/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/stampeders-re-sign-ol-derek-dennis/ Keelan Johnson - BC https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/lions-ink-db-special-teams-ace-johnson/ ***** The league has released details of this year's CFL Week. https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/cfl-unveils-detailed-run-marks-cfl-week/

Pianist Roberta Piket Revisits Jazz Trio Format With the April 6 Release of "West Coast Trio" Featuring Drummer Joe La Barbera & Bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz Nine-Track Recording Includes Two New Originals; Standards by Richard Rodgers, Michel Legrand, & Walter Donaldson; A Samba by Djavan; & Inspired Interpretations of Works By Fellow Modern Jazz Pianist-Composers Chick Corea, John Hicks, & George Shearing CD Release Shows at Mezzrow, NYC, Thursday, April 19 (With Harvie S, Billy Mintz) & Maureen's Jazz Cellar, Nyack, NY, Saturday, April 21 February 16, 2018 Roberta Piket, one of the most virtuosic and versatile pianists on the current international jazz scene, revisits the iconic jazz piano trio format with the April 6 release of West Coast Trio on her label 13th Note Records. Joining Piket is the consummate rhythm section of drummer Joe La Barbera and bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz -- part of the vibrant West Coast jazz scene centered in metro-Los Angeles and whose presence inspired the album's title. Guitarist Larry Koonse guests on two tracks. In addition to debuting two new Piket originals ("Mentor," "A Bridge to Nowhere"), West Coast Trio includes inspired interpretations of an eclectic set of songs ranging from standards like "Falling in Love with Love," "Windmills of Your Mind," and "My Buddy" to the samba "Flor de Lis" by Brazilian singer-songwriter Djavan, as well as works by fellow modern jazz pianist-composers Chick Corea ("Humpty Dumpty"), John Hicks ("Yemenja"), and George Shearing ("Conception"). Serendipitously, West Coast Trio's release comes almost 22 years to the day that Piket entered the studio to record her debut album as a leader -- 1996's Unbroken Line (Criss Cross), primarily a quintet session, with Donny McCaslin, Javon Jackson, and Michael Formanek, among others -- and embarked on a career path now in its third decade. Along the way the pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader has explored with equal ease and equanimity a spectrum of stylistic settings ranging from the mainstream to the avant-garde, from acoustic to electric, from the solo recordings Solo (2012) and 2015's Emanation (Solo: Volume 2) to 2016's critically acclaimed One for Marian: A Tribute to Marian McPartland, a loving homage to one of her champions and mentors and, until now, the crown jewel of a multifaceted discography. A sextet project featuring Steve Wilson, Virginia Mayhew, Harvie S, Bill Mobley, and Billy Mintz, One for Marian celebrated McPartland's underappreciated body of work as a composer while offering Piket meaty material as an arranger. Piket's first love and the format that inspired her early love for jazz was the piano trio, and she is at her most relaxed and commanding when she's stretching out with a bassist and drummer -- something she demonstrates with authority throughout West Coast Trio. "I definitely feel the most at ease in a trio," Piket confides. "What the trio means to me is intimacy. There's such a directness of communication between the three musicians. It's all about interaction and not knowing what's going to come next. It's the essence of jazz." "The last few records I've done had more of an agenda with regard to the repertoire," Piket reflects. "On the two solo records I was thinking of ways of challenging myself. I wanted to choose pieces that force me to stretch, not just a bunch of standards. West Coast Trio is the first record in a while where I chose several tunes that are simply fun to blow over. Our only agenda was to make some beautiful music." Born in Queens, New York in 1965, Roberta Piketinherited a passion for music from both of her parents. Her father was the Austrian composer Frederick Piket, who made significant contributions to both the musical liturgy of Reform Judaism and the concert hall. Her mother, Cynthia, introduced her to the treasures of the Great American Songbook, and she learned by ear the tunes of Porter, Gershwin, Kern, Rodgers, and Berlin. Piket enrolled in the joint five-year double-degree program at Tufts University and New England Conservatory, graduating with a degree in computer science from the former and in jazz piano from the latter. After a year as a software engineer, she realized that her calling was music and returned to New York, where an NEA grant set her up to study with pianist Richie Beirach. Piket made her recording debut on an album by jazz legend Lionel Hampton and gained invaluable experience during the formative years of her career performing as a side-woman with David Liebman, Rufus Reid, Mickey Roker, Benny Golson, and Ted Curson. She performs regularly with the Scott Reeves/Jay Brandford Tentet and the Virginia Mayhew Quartet, in duo with Mayhew, and with Mintz's quintet/quartet with saxophonists Tony Malaby and John Gross, and bassist Hilliard Greene (with whom she also plays in his In & Out Ensemble) as well as focusing on solo piano performance. Roberta Piket will perform with her trio -- bassist Harvie S and drummer Billy Mintz -- at Mezzrow, NYC, on Thursday 4/19. She'll also be appearing at Maureen's Jazz Cellar, Nyack, NY, on Saturday 4/21. Photography by John Abbott "West Coast Trio" EPK Web Sites: robertajazz.com & thirteennoterecords.com/west-coast-trio/ (with audio samples)

Leo Cahill passed away today at 89. RIP. I had the pleasure of having lunch with him in '96! https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/16/cfl-argos-mourn-passing-legendary-coach-leo-cahill/ http://3downnation.com/2018/02/16/former-argos-head-coach-leo-cahill-passes-away-age-89/#comments I recommend his book Goodbye Argos. I enjoyed it very much. https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Argos-Leo-Cahill/dp/0771090625/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1518814793&sr=1-1&keywords=goodbye+argos

Some late news... Keelan Johnson - BC http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/former-redblacks-special-teams-ace-signs-on-with-lions/#comments Ronnie Yell - Toronto http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/argos-nab-former-lions-db-ronnie-yell/#comments Rory Kohlert - Edmonton http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/canadian-receiver-rory-kohlert-moving-down-highway-2/#comments

Last night... Otha Foster - BC http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/former-rider-otha-foster-signs-b-c-lions/#comments ***** Here is this morning's new top 20 of free agents still available. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/new-no-1-top-20-cfl-free-agents/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/14/not-done-yet-whos-radar-day-3/ ***** Announced today... Greg Morris - Toronto http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/argos-sign-former-riders-canadian-rb-greg-morris/#comments Cody Fajardo - BC http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/lions-add-qb-cody-fajardo/#comments ***** Now here are today's recaps after three days of free agency. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/3downpodcast-winners-losers-free-agency/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/15/still-shopping-still-needs-free-agency/ ***** Here is a lot of good gossip from earlier today. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/15/cfl-free-agency-live-chat/#comments

Day 2 signings... TJ Heath - Toronto http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/argos-closing-in-on-signing-all-star-db-t-j-heath/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/argos-make-it-official-all-star-db-t-j-heath-returns-to-toronto/#comments Travis Bond - Sask http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/former-bombers-offensive-lineman-travis-bond-bound-for-riders/#comments Sam Hurl - Sask http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/canadian-lb-sam-hurl-signs-riders/#comments Julian Feoli-Gudino - Ottawa http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/canadian-rec-julian-feoli-gudino-signs-redblacks-report/#comments Swayze Waters - Toronto http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/argos-bring-waters-back-boat/#comments Cory Watson - BC http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/another-former-eskimo-going-left-coast-canadian-receiver-cory-watson-report/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/14/lions-sign-national-receiver-watson/ Jamaal Westerman - Montreal http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/canadian-dl-jamaal-westerman-chooses-alouettes/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/14/westerman-heads-east-signs-deal-alouettes/ Jake Harty - Montreal http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/former-redblacks-canadian-receiver-jake-harty-going-to-alouettes-report/#comments Mitchell Baines - Winnipeg http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/bombers-sign-former-riders-ticats-canadian-receiver-mitchell-baines/#comments Rico Murray - Ottawa https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/14/redblacks-add-defensive-back-murray/ ***** Henoc Muamba declined to take a pay cut, so the Riders cut him. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/with-bonus-looming-riders-asking-lb-henoc-muamba-to-take-a-pay-cut/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/riders-release-canadian-lb-henoc-muamba-report/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/14/riders-release-lb-henoc-muamba/ ***** Here is a top 20 ranking of free agents from yesterday morning. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/cfl-free-agent-rankings-top-20/#comments Here is an analysis of yesterday's signings. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/grading-team-day-one-free-agency/#comments And here is a list of the top 20 still available this morning. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/whos-left-top-20-players-remaining-cfl-free-agency/#comments ***** Here are videos of Monday's preview, yesterday's recap and today's recap. https://www.cfl.ca/live/2018/02/09/cfl-ca-free-agency-day-2-recap-show-wednesday/ ***** Johnny Manziel has decided to play in a developmental league called The Spring League (anybody ever heard of it?). http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/johnny-manziel-play-spring-league/#comments

Some late announcements... Ese Mrabure - Calgary http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/canadian-dl-ese-mrabure-signs-with-stampeders/#comments Mitchell White - Montreal http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/alouettes-agree-to-terms-with-db-mitchell-white/#comments Jerome Messam - Sask http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/canadian-rb-jerome-messam-to-join-riders/#comments

Quite a number of people changed teams today on the first day of free agency. Lirim Hajrullahu - Hamilton http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/lirim-hajrullahu-signs-ticats/#comments Alex Bazzie - Edmonton http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/eskimos-bolster-defence-signing-free-agent-defensive-lineman-bazzie/#comments Nic Demski - Winnipeg http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/canadian-receiver-returner-nic-demski-heads-winnipeg/#comments Joel Figueroa - BC http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/lions-bolster-offensive-line-signing-veteran-free-agent-joel-figueroa/#comments AC Leonard - Ottawa http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/redblacks-sign-former-riders-defensive-end-c-leonard/#comments Zack Evans - Sask http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/riders-sign-canadian-defensive-tackle-zack-evans/#comments Kienan LaFrance - Winnipeg http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/bombers-sign-former-riders-canadian-rb-kienan-lafrance/#comments Loucheiz Purifoy - Ottawa http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/redblacks-sign-db-loucheiz-purifoy/#comments Chandler Fenner - Winnipeg http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/bombers-sign-db-chandler-fenner/#comments Emmanuel Davis - Calgary http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/stampeders-sign-former-ticats-db-emanuel-davis/#comments Garry Peters - BC http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/former-eskimos-db-garry-peters-signs-with-lions/#comments ***** In related news... Ted Laurent decided not to leave Hamilton. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/ticats-re-sign-dl-ted-laurent/#comments Roy Finch will stay with Calgary. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/stampeders-extend-2017-outstanding-special-teams-player-roy-finch/#comments DaVaris Daniels will stay with Calgary. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/stampeders-re-sign-2016-outstanding-rookie-receiver-davaris-daniels/#comments ***** Sask has cut Derek Dennis. Last year he was the league's highest paid American OL. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/riders-cut-derek-dennis-leagues-highest-paid-american-lineman-in-2017/#comments ***** Here are summaries of the day. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/flurry-moves-cfl-free-agency-gets-rolling/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/free-agency-analysis-ticats-banking-2017-squad-can-get-done-year/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/bombers-hit-home-run-opening-day-free-agency/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/lions-hope-quality-comes-record-free-agent-haul/#comments https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/13/open-market-5-highlights-day-1-free-agency/ https://www.cfl.ca/2018/02/13/team-team-look-free-agency/ ***** Here was the league's Jan. 22 list of the top 30 pending free agents. https://www.cfl.ca/2018/01/22/cfl-cas-top-30-pending-free-agents-2/

I remember my parents buying a record player in 1953 or '54. When they did, they also purchased a box set (a true box) of RCA recordings called "Music America Loves Best." These were not LPs, but 45 rpm EPs. Two songs I remember were Perry Como's Faraway Places and The Three Suns' Twilight Time.

Thanks Dana!

I thought that Jimmy Smith was not billed as "Incredible" until he moved to Verve. Is the OP album a Blue Note not released until after some Verve recordings were issued?

Continuing on... Dan LeFevour has decided to retire. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/10/bombers-qb-dan-lefevour-set-retire-football/#comments ***** The Argos have a very attractive pair of QBs in Ricky Ray and James Franklin, and their contracts are salary cap-friendly. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/10/contract-details-argos-quarterbacking-pay-structure/#comments ***** Kacy Rodgers II has signed with the New York Jets. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/06/riders-db-kacy-rodgers-to-sign-with-new-york-jets/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/10/jets-sign-former-riders-db-son-defensive-coordinator-kacy-rodgers/#comments ***** Diontae Spencer has worked out with Baltimore. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/07/top-pending-free-agent-receiver-diontae-spencer-works-ravens/#comments ***** Jeff Knox, Jr., has signed with Tampa Bay. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/31/riders-allow-jeff-knox-jr-contract-pursue-nfl-opportunity/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/06/former-riders-lb-jeff-knox-jr-signs-with-tampa-bay-bucs/#comments ***** It looks like Moe Leggett's Achilles injury has healed, and that he will be back with the Bombers. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/31/maurice-leggett-dunking-shows-achilles-injury-has-healed-quickly/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/06/bombers-re-sign-maurice-leggett/#comments

There is an ongoing story that I have held off on posting on because it is complicated, and not all the facts are known (at least by the public). On Jan 24, James Wilder announced that he would not play in 2018. The Argos will not let him out of his contract if he were to make an NFL team. Wilder feels the risk to his health is not justified by a second year of CFL wages. Other teams are letting their players try out for the NFL. Ambrosie has fined BC for letting Micah Awe go. I will post the links in the next few days. ***** Free Agency begins tomorrow at noon eastern. Here are a number of analyses of who is available and who might be interested. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/cfl-free-agent-rankings-quarterbacks/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/cfl-free-agent-rankings-american-receivers/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/08/cfl-free-agent-rankings-national-receivers/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/10/cfl-free-agent-rankings-running-backs/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/10/cfl-free-agent-rankings-offensive-line/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/11/cfl-free-agent-rankings-defensive-line/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/cfl-free-agent-rankings-linebackers/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/cfl-free-agent-ranking-specialists/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/cfl-free-agent-rankings-defensive-backs/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/11/2017-free-agent-frenzy-scorecard-west-division/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/2017-free-agent-frenzy-scorecard-east-division/#comments ***** June Jones has brought in Jerry Glanville! http://3downnation.com/2018/02/11/former-nfl-head-coach-jerry-glanville-joins-ticats-coaching-staff-2/#comments ***** Five have tried out with Baltimore. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/18/ravens-host-five-cflers-tryouts-including-grey-cup-mvp/#comments ***** Chris Matthews has worked out with Jacksonville. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/18/former-bombers-receiver-chris-matthews-works-jacksonville-jaguars/#comments Scott Milanovich was a coach with Jacksonville this past year. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/17/former-argos-head-coach-scott-milanovich-one-win-away-from-super-bowl/#comments ***** Edmonton cut Marcus Howard and Danny Groulx. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/22/eskimos-release-four-veterans/#comments ***** Rob Cote has retired. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/23/veteran-fullback-rob-cote-retires-11-seasons-stampeders/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/01/23/rob-cote-trends-on-twitter-after-retirement-former-teammates-react/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/01/23/unsung-hero-rob-cote-steps-away/#comments ***** Montreal cut Frederic Plesius. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/31/alouettes-cut-lb-frederic-plesius-avoid-paying-roster-bonus/#comments ***** Winnipeg has signed Anthony Gaitor. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/bombers-sign-former-lions-db-anthony-gaitor/#comments ***** Josh Bell has retired, and will join the Stampeders' coaching staff. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/stamps-db-josh-bell-retires-joins-calgary-coaching-staff/#comments ***** DeVier Posey is signing with Baltimore. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/grey-cup-mvp-devier-posey-sign-baltimore-ravens/#comments ***** Dan Federkeil has decided to retire. http://138.197.137.206/2018/02/02/stampeders-ol-dan-federkeil-to-retire-report/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/08/stampeders-ol-dan-federkeil-announces-retirement-cfl/#comments ***** Jim Stillwagon has died at only 68. RIP. http://www.3downnation.com/2018/02/05/time-argo-jim-stillwagon-dead-68/#comments ***** Cuachy Muamba has signed with BC. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/canadian-db-cauchy-muamba-moves-to-the-left-coast-signs-with-lions/#comments ***** Ottawa has cut Drew Tate and signed Dominique Davis. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/12/redblacks-agree-to-terms-with-bombers-qb-dominique-davis/#comments ***** Nic Demski is expected to sign with Winnipeg. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/11/strong-indications-riders-nic-demski-headed-bombers-free-agency-report/#comments ***** Montreal has allowed Kyries Hebert to speak with teams to determine his market value. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/09/als-withhold-roster-bonus-tell-kyries-hebert-can-seek-trade-report/#comments ***** Calgary has cut Marquay McDaniel. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/09/stampeders-release-veteran-receiver-marquay-mcdaniel/#comments ***** Calgary has told Jerome Messam he probably won't be back. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/08/stampeders-tell-veteran-running-back-messam-test-free-agency/#comments

I have received an email from Laurie saying that she is making Red Car (16 minutes from 1981) available for free through 2/18. https://artpepper.bandcamp.com/track/free-valentine-2-11-to-2-18-red-car

Let's try to catch up. Ottawa and Montreal swapped bilingual fullbacks - Patrick Lavoie for JC Beaulieu. http://3downnation.com/2018/01/30/redblacks-trade-patrick-lavoie-montreal-swap-canadian-fullbacks/#comments https://3downnation.com/2018/01/30/redblacks-gamble-moving-patrick-lavoie/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/beaulieu-lavoie-mean-end-nik-lewis-montreal/#comments ***** Ricky Ray has decided not to retire, but to return to the Argos. http://159.203.52.247/2018/02/02/ricky-ray-coming-back-argos/#comments http://138.197.137.206/2018/02/02/ricky-ray-admits-retirement-was-on-his-mind-but-returns-to-argos/#comments ***** Calgary traded Charleston Hughes to Hamilton for picks. Hamilton then traded Hughes to Regina for Vernon Adams. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/stampeders-trade-dl-charleston-hughes-to-the-ticats/ http://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/ticats-flip-charleston-hughes-riders-vernon-adams/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/ticats-deal-vernon-adams-johnny-course/#comments http://159.203.52.247/2018/02/02/adding-charleston-hughes-helps-short-term-riders-abandoned-long-game/#comments http://www.3downnation.com/2018/02/02/charleston-hughes-trade-makes-sense-still-sucks-stamps-fans/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/05/new-ticats-qb-vernon-adams-eats-burger-makes-good-first-impression/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/07/crazy-day-charleston-hughes-happy-end-riderville/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/07/bill-will-come-due-riders-big-money-moves/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/07/charleston-hughes-happy-go-shed-new-mosaic-stadium/#comments ***** Edmonton traded Odell Willis to Ottawa for Jake Ceresna. Ottawa then traded Willis to BC for picks. https://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/odell-willis-dealt-ottawa-will-soon-flip-b-c-report/#comments http://159.203.52.247/2018/02/02/willis-trade-serves-dual-role-lions/#comments ***** It is time for bonuses to be paid. As a result, a number of good players are getting cut. Edmonton cut Adarius Bowman, who signed with Winnipeg. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/04/big-bonus-due-options-table-bowman-eskimos/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/05/esks-release-receiver-adarius-bowman-report/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/05/esks-criticized-handling-bowman-release/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/05/riders-mix-adarius-bowman-sources/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/06/young-eskimos-fan-devastated-release-adarius-bowmam/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/06/eskimos-gm-sunderland-makes-unpopular-decision-to-cut-bowman/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/07/heartbroken-eskimo-kid-every-reason-sad/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/09/bombers-ink-star-receiver-adarius-bowman/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/09/why-adarius-bowman-landed-in-the-peg/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/09/bowman-rejects-better-offer-riders-join-bombers-report/#comments ***** Sask cut Kienan LaFrance and Shakir Bell. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/riders-release-two-running-backs-kienan-lafrance-and-shakir-bell/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/kienan-lafrance-cut-as-riders-dodge-off-season-bonus/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/02/andrew-harris-wants-fellow-winnipeg-native-kienan-lafrance-come-home/#comments http://3downnation.com/2018/02/06/alouettes-have-discussed-possibly-signing-kienan-lafrance-and-emanuel-davis/#comments ***** Winnipeg cut Dominique Davis. http://3downnation.com/2018/02/01/bombers-release-quarterback-dominique-davis/#comments

Happy Birthday BW!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Trumpeter/Composer/Arranger/Big Band Leader Bill Warfield Pays Tribute to His Late Mentor, Colleague, & Friend Trumpeter Lew Soloff On "For Lew," To Be Released March 9 by Planet Arts Records 10 Tracks Compiled from Four Warfield Big Band Albums (1990-2014) Plus Two Previously Unreleased Songs CD Release Show at the Zinc Bar, NYC, Saturday, March 24 February 7, 2018 Bill Warfield's career as a trumpeter was launched the moment he heard Lew Soloff's immortal solo on the Blood, Sweat & Tears hit "Spinning Wheel." "It just completely knocked me out," says Warfield, who was 18 at the time and gigging as a pianist, having given up hope of earning a living as a horn player due to dental problems. "I'd never heard anything like it. I decided at that point that I wanted to play the trumpet again." Eventually, Warfield would get to know, study, and record with Soloff, who died in 2014 at age 71. Warfield's latest album, For Lew, set for release on March 9 by Planet Arts Records, is a tribute to his late mentor, colleague, friend, and inspiration. Compiled from material Warfield recorded with his big band between 1990 and 2014, the album includes ten selections that first appeared on New York City Jazz (1990), The City Never Sleeps (1994), A Faceless Place (2005), and Trumpet Story (2014). Two of the tracks are previously unreleased. "Lew was such a warm, supportive human being," Warfield says of Soloff. "When he died, it took me a week to get over it. I patterned my playing after him. I wanted to do the gigs he did. I wanted to sound like him. I wanted to be like him. I wanted to be him. I patterned my whole career after that guy. He was a little nerdy guy who would put a horn in front of his mouth and became Superman. He was the guy who got me to take my writing seriously. On the second record I used him on, I used a few other people's charts. Then he pulled me to the side and said, 'Look, your writing is really special. You shouldn't include anybody else's stuff on your records.'" Five tunes on For Lew are Warfield originals; six arrangements are his. While drawn from four different sessions, each made up of different players, every track is an all-star affair. Soloff is the soloist on one track, "Salsa En Mi Alma," and is heard playing lead trumpet on that song and two others. In addition to Warfield, who solos on three tracks, other world-class instrumentalists among the disc's collective personnel are trumpeters Randy Brecker and John Eckert; trombonist Matt Havilan; saxophonists Dan Block, Andy Fusco, Bob Hanlon, Rich Perry, Chris Potter, and Walt Weiskopf; pianists Ted Rosenthal and Joel Weiskopf; guitarists Vic Juris and Dave Stryker; bassist Mike Richmond; and drummers Tim Hornerand Bob Weller. Warfield followed Soloff's advice and over the past quarter century has created a canon of music for large ensemble that showcases his distinctive composing and arranging style. He counts Hank Levy, Fred Lipsius, Dick Halligan, Mike Abene (who would produce his first two big band albums), Michel Colombier, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, Gil Evans, and Bob Brookmeyer, along with Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Webern, Prokofiev, and other classical composers, as influences on his arranging style. Bill Warfield was born in Baltimore on March 2, 1952. He took up trumpet in the fourth grade because, he says, "it looked cool. Because it only had three buttons, I thought it would be easier to play." By the time he was 14, he played Saturday mornings with the orchestra and brass ensemble at the Peabody Conservatory Preparatory School and Saturday afternoons with the Maryland Youth Symphony, as well as with a teenage soul band called Nina and the Marcels. After recovering from a car accident in which he lost his front teeth, he studied for four years at Towson State with Hank Levy, an arranger noted for his charts for Don Ellis and Stan Kenton who was a key early influence. Warfield moved to New York City in 1980 and began subbing in the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, playing and arranging for the Bill Kirchner Nonet, and copying music for Lester Bowie, Joseph Jarman, and others, while earning a master's from the Manhattan School of Music. He toured Europe with Ornette Coleman, having been recommended by Lew Soloff. Warfield has spent three decades as an inspiring music educator. After stints at the Dalton School in New York, Brooklyn College, Towson State University in Maryland, and the University of North Florida, he joined the faculty at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, in 1996. He continues to teach and direct the jazz program there three days per week. The other four days are usually spent in back in Manhattan, where he currently directs four bands: the New York Jazz Repertory Ensemble, the New York Jazz Octet (which includes tenor saxophonist Don Braden and pianist Kenny Werner), the Hell's Kitchen Funk Orchestra, and the Bill Warfield Big Band. The Bill Warfield Big Band will be performing two sets (7:00pm/8:30pm) at the Zinc Bar in Greenwich Village to celebrate the release of For Lew. Photography by John Abbott Web Site: billwarfield.net

Keith Jarrett to play solo concert Carnegie Hall March 21st at 8PM following release of new album: After The Fall Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette live in concert November 1998 release date: March 2nd The group colloquially known as “the Standards trio” has made many outstanding recordings, and After The Fall must rank with the very best of them. “I was amazed to hear how well the music worked,” writes Keith Jarrett in his liner note. “For me, it’s not only a historical document, but a truly great concert.” This performance - in Newark, New Jersey in November 1998 - marked Jarrett’s return to the stage after a two-year hiatus. Joined by improvising partners Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, the trio glides and soars through classics of the Great American Songbook, plays breathtaking accounts of hallowed bebop tunes, and tackles a rare, energetic exploration of Coltrane’s “ Moment’s Notice”. Copyright © 2018 ECM Records. 1755 Broadway, Floor 3. New York, NY 10019. All rights reserved.