GA Russell

Happy Birthday Hans!

Happy Birthday Alan!

Happy Birthday John!

Happy Birthday Sandy!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Happy Birthday BfB!

Happy Birthday Victor!

Happy Birthday Zen!

Happy Birthday mr jazz!

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!