GA Russell

Apparently I misread this deal. The two brands are Rocky Patel and La Aurora. ***** Cigar Place now has its own deal for $19.99. Ten different good cigars for $19.99 with free shipping. Add a lighter for $4.99. https://www.cigarplace.biz/cigar-place-top-shelf-stogies-sampler-v1124.html

Free Agent analyses https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/cfl-free-agency-window-set-to-officially-open-at-noon-et-on-sunday-1.2243567 https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/cfl-free-agency-best-remaining-top-10-canadians-and-americans-1.2243610 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/29/2025-cfl-free-agent-rankings-running-backs-fullbacks/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/2025-cfl-free-agent-rankings-receivers/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/roughriders-gm-jeremy-oday-canadian-ol-receiver-strongest-positions-in-cfl-free-agency/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/29/2-key-pending-free-agent-extensions-per-team-so-far/ ***** Jonathan Jones has signed with the Bombers. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/30/bombers-sign-american-linebacker-jonathan-jones/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-former-argonauts-lb-jonathan-jones/ ***** Tre Crawford has signed with BC. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/29/b-c-lions-sign-former-tiger-cats-roughriders-dl-tre-crawford-two-others/ ***** As the date to pay the off-season bonuses approaches, we are seeing players let go. The Redblacks have let go Brandin Dandridge. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/29/redblacks-release-american-db-brandin-dandridge/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-release-veteran-db-brandin-dandridge-1.2243715 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/29/ottawa-redblacks-release-veteran-db-brandin-dandridge/ ***** The Elks have let go Brett Boyko. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/30/elks-release-veteran-offensive-lineman-brett-boyko/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/edmonton-elks-release-canadian-ol-brett-boyko-ahead-of-offseason-roster-bonus/ ***** The Ticats have let go DeWayne Hendrix. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/30/ticats-release-dl-dewayne-hendrix-sign-two/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/hamilton-tiger-cats-release-dl-dewayne-hendrix-ahead-of-offseason-bonus/ ***** The Lions have let go Alexander Hollins. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/30/report-lions-to-release-receiver-alexander-hollins/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/b-c-lions-release-former-west-division-all-star-alexander-hollins/ ***** The league has released the names of the invitees to this year's combine. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/30/cfl-reveals-2025-cfl-combine-participants/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/cfl-reveals-list-of-2025-inivitational-combine-participants/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/cfl-reveals-list-of-2025-combine-participants/ ***** Quarterback analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/30/a-look-at-all-9-quarterback-rooms/ ***** John Huard has died at 80. RIP. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/former-toronto-argonauts-head-coach-john-huard-dies-at-the-age-of-80-1.2244343 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/30/former-toronto-argonauts-head-coach-john-huard-dead-at-80/ ***** Glenn Love has announced that he has ALS. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/29/former-cfl-lb-glenn-love-launches-gofundme-after-als-diagnosis/ ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riders-positional-breakdown-offensive-line-2/ ***** Bombers' Schedule analysis https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/review-critique-2025-bombers-schedule/

RIP. I got this eight years ago, and never got around to opening it up. Now's the time.

January 29 Derek Bailey - 1930 Leslie Bricusse - 1931 Beverly Kenney - 1932 Ron Townson - 1933 Sacha Distel - 1933 Noel Harrison - 1934 James Jamerson - 1936 Bobby Scott - 1937

Another surprise from the Bombers. They have let go Drew Wolitarsky. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/27/bombers-release-receiver-drew-wolitarsky/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-release-veteran-receiver-drew-wolitarsky-1.2242525 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/27/winnipeg-blue-bombers-release-veteran-receiver-drew-wolitarsky/ ***** The Stampeders are cleaning house too. They have let go Mike Rose and James Vaughters. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/27/stamps-release-defensive-linemen-mike-rose-james-vaughters/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/27/calgary-stampeders-release-starting-dl-mike-rose-james-vaughters/ ***** The Elks have let go Boris Bede, rather than pay him his off-season bonus. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/28/elks-release-veteran-kicker-boris-bede/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/25/elks-discussing-k-boris-bedes-future-with-off-season-bonus-looming/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/28/edmonton-elks-release-kicker-boris-bede-ahead-of-offseason-roster-bonus/ ***** Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/27/mmqb-4-most-significant-defensive-contract-extensions-so-far/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/28/crystal-ball-cfl-ca-makes-bold-free-agency-predictions/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/28/2025-cfl-free-agent-rankings-quarterbacks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/27/4-potential-landing-spots-for-janarion-grant/ ***** Shane Ray has signed with the Riders. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/27/riders-sign-defensive-lineman-shane-ray/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-former-grey-cup-super-bowl-champion-lb-shane-ray-1.2242565 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/27/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-super-bowl-grey-cup-winner-shane-ray/ ***** The Alouettes have announced their coaching staff. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/28/alouettes-announce-2025-coaching-staff/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/alouettes-head-coach-maas-returns-all-but-one-assistant-to-his-25-staff-1.2243084 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/28/montreal-alouettes-make-one-change-to-coaching-staff-for-2025/ ***** 3 Down Nation here considers the Top 20 Passing Yards leaders. It might be worth noting that Sam Etcheverry's stats are missing his first two years. The Rifle was a rookie in '52, but the Big Four did not begin to keep official stats until '54. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/26/evergreen-top-20-cfl-passing-yard-leaders-of-all-time/

Cigar Page has a new deal similar to the last. 10 good cigars (Oliva and La Aurora) for $19.99 with free shipping. Add a lighter for $5.00. https://www.cigarpage.com/the-fab-collab-tenski-cigar-grip-ii-ks-notthebee0125.html

The RCMP officer sees a car drive by, and the driver is not wearing his seatbelt. So he pulls over an elderly couple, decides to give them a warning. As he approaches the vehicle, he sees the driver reach up and put on his seatbelt. "You know, we have a mandatory seatbelt law in Alberta," he says. "I have my seatbelt on," the old guy replies. "I saw you put it on as I came up," says the cop. "I’ve had it on since I left the house. Ask the wife!" (Heavy sigh) "Look, I’m just giving you a warning. Wear your seatbelt." Old guy is outraged. "My seatbelt is on! I have had it on since I left my driveway. Ask the wife!" Cop just wants to end it. "Ma’am, do you corroborate that he’s had it on the whole time?" "I never argue with him when he’s been drinking."

As I recall, (after the Vivendi deal soured, and before he took over WEA) Edgar Bronfman, Jr., started a company which sold $700. tickets to concerts with very small audiences.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of compilations. That reminds me. With St. Valentine's Day coming up, I need to pull out my Plays for Lovers CDs! However, part of the appeal of a compilation is that it is a cheap way to learn about folks you are not familiar with. Five dollars per CD is right, not ten.

January 27 WA Mozart - 1756 Jerome Kern - 1885 Harry Ruby - 1895 Hot Lips Page - 1908 Skitch Henderson - 1908 Elmore James - 1918 David Seville - 1919 Bobby "Blue" Bland - 1930 Bobby Hutcherson - 1941 Kevin Coyne - 1944 Nick Mason - 1944 Cal Schenkel - 1947 Bob Mintzer - 1953 ***** Howard McNear - 1905 Billy "White Shoes" Johnson - 1952

Stop the presses! The Bombers have decided not to bring Adam Bighill back. His contract expires next month. He injured his knee late last year. https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/bombers-discard-bighill-jan-25-2025 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/24/bombers-moving-on-from-veteran-lb-adam-bighill-report/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/25/im-not-mad-lb-adam-bighill-thanks-winnipeg-blue-bombers-fans-team-in-social-media-post/ ***** Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/24/15-top-pending-free-agents-who-could-be-available/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/24/5-pending-free-agent-pff-grades-that-standout/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/hamilton-tiger-cats/three-free-agents-the-hamilton-tiger-cats-must-pursue-in-2025/ ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riders-positional-breakdown-defensive-backs-2/

Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/23/3-stats-that-could-change-in-free-agency/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/23/nye-5-potential-landing-spots-for-justin-mcinnis/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/23/5-potential-landing-spots-for-tyrell-ford/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/defensive-lineman-celestin-haba-looking-forward-to-cfl-free-agent-experience-1.2240721 ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/ajous-nfl-opportunity-causes-questions-for-riders-ratio/ ***** Wilfred Laurier's Taylor Elgersma has become the first Canadian-college quarterback to be selected for the Senior Bowl. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/23/taylor-elgersma-becomes-first-u-sports-qb-to-be-named-to-senior-bowl/ https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/wilfrid-laurier-qb-taylor-elgersma-accepts-invite-to-play-in-senior-bowl-1.2240474 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/22/canadian-qb-taylor-elgersma-accepts-invite-to-senior-bowl-marquee-all-star-game-in-nfl-draft-process-sources/

January 24 Jimmy Forrest - 1920 Jack Scott - 1936 Julius Hemphill - 1938 Ray Stevens - 1939 Aaron Neville - 1941 Neil Diamond - 1941 Warren Zevon - 1947

The Scouting Bureau's winter rankings have been released. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/22/rourke-maintains-hold-of-top-spot-in-winter-edition-of-cfl-scouting-bureau/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/22/5-interesting-things-from-the-winter-cfl-scouting-bureau/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/kurtis-rourke-tops-cfl-scouting-bureau-winter-list-for-2025-draft-1.2240136 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/22/qb-taylor-elgersma-among-nine-to-debut-on-cfls-winter-scouting-bureau-rankings/ ***** Free Agent analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/22/5-under-the-radar-free-agent-extensions/

Key Off-Season Dates https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/21/key-2025-cfl-off-season-dates-you-need-to-know/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/21/cfl-unveils-key-dates-for-2025/ https://x.com/i/status/1881787135814144480 ***** Bo Lokombo has retired. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/21/bo-lokombo-announces-retirement-from-pro-football/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-bo-lokombo-retires-after-10-cfl-seasons-1.2239569 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/21/canadian-lb-bo-lokombo-retires-after-10-seasons-in-cfl/ ***** GM and Head Coach contract status for each team https://3downnation.com/2025/01/21/how-long-each-cfl-head-coach-gm-is-under-contract-again/ *****

Jonah David Makes His Long-Delayed Recording Debut with "Waltz for Eli," Releasing February 28 on Swish Tap Records Recording Features Standards & Originals Performed by a Core Trio with Pianist Joel Sanford, Bassist Joe Bussey, Plus Special Guests Including Jake Stith, Anna Perkins, Jason Arce, Bryan Carrott, & Jeremy Pelt   January 21, 2025 Drummer Jonah David is already a fully formed and remarkably accomplished artist as he arrives in the jazz world with the February 28 release of his debut, Waltz for Eli, on Swish Tap Records. Produced with a core trio of pianist Joel Sanford and bassist Joe Bussey, plus an impressive array of special guests, David introduces himself with an infectious set of straight-ahead jazz tunes, delivered with aplomb and crisp precision. Indeed, one might even call it “military precision,” but that’s a bit on the nose. David is a career U.S. Navy Sailor as a musician, currently holding the rank of First Class Petty Officer and stationed in Hawaii. While he recorded Waltz for Eli in 2024, though, David was working as a percussion instructor at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA, as well as a first-call drummer on the surrounding Hampton Roads jazz scene. “My duties as a Navy musician made producing this (any) project challenging,” David says in the album’s liner notes. “My goal was to create a Jazz aesthetic that is accessible to both connoisseurs and laymen…. Additionally, I aimed to cultivate a group of musicians who trust each other and could ‘speak’ their perspectives on the music.” Waltz for Eli is an unqualified success on both counts. The core trio’s take on Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-a-ning” evidences their synchronicity both emotional and rhythmic, Sanford and Bussey playfully locking in with David at the dead center of the beat. The addition of guest guitarist Jake Stith and tenor saxophonist Jason Arce on “Little Sunflower” gives that Freddie Hubbard standard a sinuous, scintillating edge; conversely, Bryan Carrott’s gorgeous vibraphone on “How Insensitive” (with Arce switching to flute) softens the bossa nova’s mien. Jeremy Pelt’s trumpet, meanwhile, puts a declaratory, yet inquiring, character into the original “Pretenderly,” and vocalist Anna Perkins colors “Waltz for Eli” and “Sunrise, Sunset” (from Fiddler on the Roof) with enigmatic romance. While the album has one other auxiliary musician, it wouldn’t be fair to call keyboardist Ettienne Stadwijk a special guest. No doubt that his Fender Rhodes irradiates “Sunrise, Sunset,” and his organ adds unexpected crunch to “The Genius”—but Stadwijk is also David’s co-composer on all of the album’s three originals, as well as his co-producer, and even helped with the arrangement of “Little Sunflower.” David credits Stadwijk as an important mentor earlier in his career. “Ettienne looked out for me and helped me develop my pop sensibilities,” he says. Still and all, Waltz for Eli remains David’s own statement, and a tremendously personal one, even as it was designed to accentuate both his own strengths and those of his accompanists. “It took time to grow this sound, to bring out each other’s strengths and get to know each other all over again,” David says. “But I couldn’t be happier with the way things came out.” Jonah David was born October 30, 1977, in South Orange, New Jersey, just outside New York City. His father had been an activist attorney in New Orleans, putting David at the intersection of two jazz hubs from birth. His introduction to jazz, and to the drums in particular, came from a Preservation Hall Jazz Band record in his father’s collection. The next phase came in middle school, when a band teacher gave him drumsticks and a copy of the seminal drumming book Syncopation by Ted Reed (to whom Waltz for Eli’s “The Genius” is dedicated). By high school it was settled: David was devoting his life to the drum kit. He quickly developed enough proficiency to start gigging; spent his summers at the Drummers Collective in Manhattan; and studied music at Rutgers University and the New School. From there, David went on tour with ska/reggae artist King Django and with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials (for which he was hired by Ettienne Stadwijk), then got a steady gig at Manhattan’s Nuyorican Poets Café, which led to the formation of the band Roots Tonic, the original backing band for Matisyahu. A difficult personal situation led to David enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2010. He was stationed around the country—in Illinois, Washington State, and Maryland—and spent three years in Italy before becoming an instructor in percussion at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach. There he met Joe Bussey and Joel Sanford, who joined David in his regular trio in the Hampton Roads region (Virginia Beach/Norfolk/ Chesapeake/Hampton, VA). In 2024, they—along with his old friend Stadwijk—became the core ensemble for Waltz for Eli, his stunning debut album. Photography: Olivier Koning    EPK: Jonah David "Waltz for Eli"  Jonah David Web Site  

Sorry to hear about it, Jim. Get well soon!

Andrew Harris has agreed to become the Roughriders' running back coach. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/20/andrew-harris-joins-riders-as-running-backs-coach/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-add-four-time-grey-cup-champion-andrew-harris-as-running-backs-coach-1.2238995 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/riders-hire-former-bombers-star-andrew-harris-as-running-backs-coach/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/saskatchewan-roughriders-rb-coach-andrew-harris-wants-to-be-cfl-head-coach-or-gm/ ***** Off-season review https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/20/mmqb-3-teams-that-have-made-big-splashes-this-winter/ ***** Trevon Mason has signed with the Alouettes. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-hamilton-tiger-cats-dl-trevon-mason-one-other/ ***** The union is objecting to Lucheiz Purifoy's suspension. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/cflpa-strongly-protests-cfls-recent-suspension-of-veteran-db-loucheiz-purifoy/ ***** Schedule analyses https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-2025-season-opens-june-5-full-schedule-released/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bc-lions-2025-schedule-breakdown/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/hamilton-tiger-cats/the-hamilton-tiger-cats-2025-schedule-what-you-need-to-know/

Not as many interesting stories as I thought there would be. ***** The last Lew Archer story. I enjoyed it.

Ottawa Lansdowne analysis https://3downnation.com/2025/01/19/new-suites-no-roof-and-temporary-seating-plans-what-redblacks-fans-need-to-know-about-lansdowne-2-0/ ***** Sask analyses https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riders-positional-breakdown-receivers-2/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-january-19/ *****

Lucheiz Purifoy had a bad day. First he was cut by the Elks. Then he was suspended for two games. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/elks-release-american-defensive-back-loucheiz-purifoy/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/17/edmonton-elks-give-all-star-db-loucheiz-purifoy-early-release/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/purifoy-suspended-two-games-for-violating-cfl-cflpa-drug-policy/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/17/recently-released-db-loucheiz-purifoy-suspended-two-games-for-violating-cfl-cflpa-drug-policy/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/loucheiz-purifoy-cut-by-edmonton-elks-earlier-today-given-two-game-suspension-1.2237687 ***** Argos analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/turning-the-page-defending-champions-set-sights-on-2025/ ***** Stampeders analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/stamps-have-a-plan-to-get-back-to-the-post-season/ ***** Alouettes analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/5-takeaways-from-jason-maas-winter-meetings-availability/ ***** Today's view count is 439,200. 1,900 in 22 hours?

THE CRITERION CHANNEL JANUARY 17, 2025 NOW PLAYING ON THE CHANNEL Celebrate David Lynch Please join us in saluting the life and work of an artist who not only changed cinema forever but also altered how we experience the world and showed us what it really means to dream. From now through the end of January, we’ve made the intimate documentary portrait David Lynch: The Art Life free to watch—no account necessary—as part of Celebrating David Lynch. If you have questions, comments, or feedback about the Criterion Channel, please reach out to channelhelp@criterion.com! We’d love to hear from you.

January 17 Big Sid Catlett - 1910 Eartha Kitt - 1927 Cedar Walton - 1934 Chris Montez - 1943 Francois Hardy - 1944 Robin Lumley - 1948 Mick Taylor - 1949 Cheryl Bentyne - 1954 Steve Earle - 1955 Paul Young - 1956 Susanna Hoffs - 1959 Cyrus Chestnut - 1963 Kid Rock - 1971 Zooey Deschanel - 1980

The league released the 2025 schedule today. The first exhibition game is Monday May 19, and Opening Night is Thursday June 5. https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/cfl-redtag-ca-announce-2025-schedule/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/cfl-unveils-2025-schedule-highlighted-by-fewer-short-weeks-earlier-start-times/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/ranking-every-cfl-teams-2025-schedule-reveal/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/ranking-every-cfl-teams-2025-schedule-reveal/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/cant-miss-this-6-must-see-games-on-the-2025-schedule/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/3-under-the-radar-games-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2025/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/saskatchewan-roughriders-bookend-2025-cfl-schedule-with-season-opener-finale/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/a-deep-dive-into-the-riders-2025-schedule/ ***** Ottawa analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/5-reasons-bob-dyce-redblacks-are-excited-for-the-2025-season/ ***** Winnipeg analysis https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bombers-same-faces-different-outcome/ ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-january-12/ ***** Brady Oliveira 2024 highlights reel https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/brady-oliveira-2024-cfl-highlights/ ***** The Argos have let go Jonathan Jones. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/argos-release-lb-jonathan-jones-extend-ol-john-bosse/ ***** The Bombers paid Zach Collaros his $100,000. off-season bonus, so that means he will be back next year. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/bombers-qb-zach-collaros-collects-100000-offseason-roster-bonus/ ***** This thread's view count today is 437,300; an increase of 19,800 over the past 55 days (360 per day). That seems high to me. I have noticed about 300 every two days.

Perceptions Trio Charley Rose / Silvan Joray / Paulo Almeida To release The Wicked Crew CD AND DIGITAL FORMATS AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. SENSE – MUSIC RELEASE CLUB, SENSE_CRPT01 (FUGA / BIG WAX) www.senseartists.com Charley Rose - saxophone and effects Silvan Joray - guitar and effects Paulo Almeida - drums Founded in Basel (Switzerland) in 2019, Perceptions Trio brings a fresh and captivating energy to the jazz scene. Their first album as a band, The Wicked Crew, features eight original compositions by the trio’s three members—Charley Rose (France), Silvan Joray (New York City / Switzerland), and Paulo Almeida (Brazil)—along with two improvised tracks. Mostly centered on beautiful, simple melodies and enhanced by imaginative use of electronic effects, the music offers an unusual yet inviting listening experience. Each composition on The Wicked Crew reflects the distinct personality and influences of its composer, giving the album a rich palette of colors. Charley Rose blends the energy of jazz fusion and pop with expressive melodies. Silvan Joray, on the other hand, offers compositions that are meditative and contemplative, characterized by their serene beauty. Paulo Almeida brings introspective pieces, marked by rhythmic freedom, also known as “rubato“, where elasticity in the rhythm creates a sense of flow and spontaneity. Together, their compositions and improvisations seamlessly integrate these influences, resulting in a cohesive creation. Perceptions Trio with Joray, Rose, Almeida © Victor Hege With his creative use of effect pedals, saxophonist Charley Rose steps beyond the traditional role of a lead instrument to also become an accompanist by crafting chords, bass lines, and atmospheric textures. This approach transforms the saxophone into a multifaceted instrument, providing harmonic and rhythmic support while also contributing striking sonic layers. The guitarist, Silvan Joray, complements this by stretching the limits of his role, blending extended harmonies with unusual textures and using effects to play solos that are both virtuosic and evocative.Grounding the trio is drummer Paulo Almeida, whose playing fuses jazz with the rhythmic complexity and vitality of his Brazilian roots. His dynamic energy ties together Perceptions Trio’s adventurous approach, adding both drive and nuance to their unique sound. The album opens with “Radio Goose Bumps,” a high-energy, fusion-influenced piece where Charley and Silvan dazzle with virtuosic solos, setting the stage for the album's dynamic journey. In “Ubarto,” a simple melody serves as the song's backbone, evolving with expressive improvisations that keep listeners hooked. “Perceptions” takes a meditative turn, with a lyrical melody and a mesmerizing sax solo; the guitar's unwavering eighth-note pulse feels like the gentle turning of a potter’s wheel, holding everything together until it unexpectedly halts at the end. The stark and contemplative “Andromeda” is a freely improvised piece, reflecting on the impartial vastness of the universe. The title track, “The Wicked Crew,” is an exhilarating showcase of the band’s mastery of effects. Synth-like saxophone chords provide the foundation, a guitar synth solo flows fiercly alongside responsive drumming, and an energetic sax solo with octave effects brings it to a climactic close. “Lit Candles” begins with a heavenly sax intro, only to descend into darker, introspective textures supported by low, rumbling sounds and gongs before rising into a chorale-like conclusion. In “Sombra,” the flexible pulse and an unconventional melody lead into an extensive drum solo and a guitar exploration featuring a slide. Perceptions Trio with Joray, Almeida, Rose © Victor Hege “Flash Lights and Sewers Explorations” lives up to its vivid title, taking listeners on a gripping journey through shadowy depths before facing an ominous force. “Peaceful Departure” offers a heartfelt homage to Silvan’s grandfather, weaving a delicate, touching narrative. Finally, “Nebulosa” closes the album with an ambient, freely improvised reflection on the beauty and mystery of space, leaving listeners in a contemplative stillness.  Acclaimed drummer and vibraphonist Jorge Rossy, who has recently heard the trio live, says: "A Perceptions Trio concert is an inspiring and unforgettable experience. The trio creates a unique and immersive sonic world, where each member of this musical 'equilateral triangle' shines as a gifted composer. Their narratives captivate with unexpected twists, and their music is full of vitality, humor, and sophistication. Listening to them is a delightful journey for the ears that sparks the imagination, leaving the audience feeling enriched and uplifted.” TRACKS 01. Radio Goose Bumps (Charley Rose) 5:36 02. Ubarto (Silvan Joray) 5:50 03. Perceptions (Silvan Joray) 6:20 04. Andromeda (Improvised) 3:51 05. The Wicked Crew (Charley Rose) 6:38 06. Lit Candles (Paulo Almeida) 4:09 07. Sombra (Paulo Almeida) 5:38 08. Flash Lights and Sewers Explorations (Charley Rose) 6:23 09. Peaceful Departure (Silvan Joray) 5:00 10. Nebulosa (Improvised) 3:32 Produced by Charley Rose, Silvan Joray, and Paulo Almeida. Recorded by Patrik Zosso at Idee und Klang Studio, Basel (January 9, 2023). Mixed and Mastered by Patrik Zosso. ABOUT Charley Rose Charley Rose, saxophonist and composer, founded the Charley Rose Trio in 2016, releasing his first album on Déluge in 2018 and his second on Menace in June 2023. Since 2018, he has been part of Benoît Delbecq's Multiplexers, a cornerstone of contemporary jazz. Charley has performedworldwide with festivals, such as Montreal Jazz Festival, Jazz in Marciac, Cervantino Festival in Mexico, Jazz in Goa, North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz à la Défense and many others. Known for blending jazz, rock, and free improvisation, he explores innovative techniques and collaborations. Name Pronunciation: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/charley-rose ABOUT Silvan Joray Silvan Joray is currently based in New York City. His latest album Updraft has gained critical acclaim across the world, including the New York City Jazz Record and Jazzwise (UK) who described him as „one of the most exciting young jazz guitarists on the international scene.” Silvan has performed at prestigious jazz festivals around the world, including the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival, Jazzfest Kolkata, Mumbai Jazz Festival, Madras Jazz Festival, Offbeat Jazzfestival Basel, and International Jazz Festival Bern, and has toured in Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Israel. Name Pronunciation: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/silvan-joray ABOUT Paulo Almeida Paulo Almeida is a Brazilian drummer, percussionist, and composer known for his melodic approach and strong Afro-Brazilian rhythmic influences. With four albums released and a fifth on the way, he has performed worldwide alongside artists like Hermeto Pascoal, Dhafer Youssef, and Jorge Rossy. A graduate of the Conservatory of Tatuí, he also participated in the Focusyear Band in Basel, led by Wolfgang Muthspiel. Currently, he teaches at the Jazzcampus University in Basel while collaborating on various projects across Europe. Name Pronunciation: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/paulo-almeida For more info, please visit: www.perceptionstrio.com. Perceptions Trio with Almeida, Rose, Joray © Victor Hege