GA Russell

“The Distance” from Michael Formanek’s Ensemble Kolossus releases February 12th Ensemble Kolossus is an 18 piece big band featuring some of the most distinctive musicians on the New York scene bonding to realize Formanek’s epic design. The band will open the second night of ECM @ Winter Jazzfest (press release attached) and then perform in Baltimore the following week – then following the February 12th release of the album EK plays two nights at Jazz Standard in NYC – see all tour dates below. Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus in concert: January 16 - New York NY @ Winter Jazzfest ECM night 2 January 22 - Baltimore, MD @ The Creative Alliance March 22-23 - New York, NY @ Jazz Standard

Avishai Cohen’s ECM leader debut - “Into The Silence” - will release February 12th. Avishai Cohen: trumpet Yonathan Avishai: piano Eric Revis: double bass Nasheet Waits: drums Bill McHenry: saxophone Avishai Cohen on tour 2016 Avishai Cohen Quartet January 15 - New York, NY – 1st night of ECM @ Winter JazzFest– (w/ Jason Lindner, Tal Mashiach & Nasheet Waits) Avishai Cohen on tour with SF Jazz Collective: April 6 – Louisville, KY at The Clifton Center April 7 – West Lafayette, IN at Purdue Convocations April 8 – Carmel, IN at Carmel Center for the Performing Arts April 9 - Dubuque , IA at University of Dubuque Avishai Cohen Quintet on tour: April 27 – New York, NY at Jazz Standard April 28 – Cambridge, MA at Regattabar April 29 – Chicago, IL at Old Town School of Folk April 30 – Des Moines, IA May 1 – Minneapolis, MN – The Dakota May 4 - Oakland, CA at Yoshi’s May 7 – Vancouver, BC at Norman Rothstein Theatre

Happy Birthday 2016 Marty!

The Monkees - OAS - $15.99 http://www.amazon.com/The-Monkees-Original-Album-Series/dp/B008M4HBS0

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that everyone has enjoyed the past month as a respite. One thing that I think hurts the various pro leagues is that there is so little time between the championship game and the following opening day of training camp. It's like it never ends. So let's look at a few articles about Edmonton's 26-20 victory over Ottawa in the Grey Cup. http://3downnation.com/2015/11/29/esks-win-2015-grey-cup-26-20-over-redblacks/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/11/29/burris-and-the-redblacks-come-up-short-at-grey-cup/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/12/01/a-friendly-manitoba-grey-cup/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/12/02/thoughts-on-the-2015-grey-cup/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/12/03/esks-proved-theyre-top-team-from-overcoming-injuries/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/12/04/the-most-grey-cup-thing-ever-all-the-parties-one-night/#comments http://www.cfl.ca/2015/11/29/spirit-of-edmonton-eskimos-capture-103rd-grey-cup/ http://www.cfl.ca/2015/11/30/early-adjustment-helped-esks-shut-down-redblacks/ http://www.cfl.ca/2015/11/30/burris-redblacks-fall-short-of-cinderella-finish/

Yesterday I saw an NC plate: LA D DA

Wayne Rogers from the cast of the television MASH has died. RIP. Wasn't he an outspoken fan of jazz? I'm not sure about that, but I think so. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3380872/Wayne-Rogers-played-beloved-character-Trapper-John-McIntyre-hit-M-S-H-dies-aged-82-Los-Angeles.html

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - OAC - $11.85 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-Stevie-Vaughan/dp/B00CFK5JKY

Happy Birthday 2015 LWayne!

I usually receive each Christmas a few boxes which were released during the year. Erroll Garner - Complete Concert by the Sea Roland Kirk OAS Django Reinhardt OAS Shirley Bassey OAS Coltrane - The Heavyweight Champion Miles - At Newport 1955-1975 Sarah Vaughan OAS

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sugarfoot - Season 2 - $23.99 http://www.amazon.com/Sugarfoot-Complete-Second-Will-Hutchins/dp/B00G3BRCBU/

Happy Birthday 2015 Jeff!

Happy 40th Birthday 2015 Swinger!

http://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2015/12/21/460527087/the-2015-npr-music-jazz-critics-poll Any thoughts?

Maverick - Season 3 - $23.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FNRA0KA

Today only... 100 Warner Bros. movies - $94.99 http://smile.amazon.com/Best-Warner-Bros-Film-Collection/dp/B009L0H4F4/

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It's list time again! No need to be too formal. If you like, you can limit your list to new releases; or in the alternative to your favorite purchases of the year regardless of recording date. I'm going to need some time to review what I have that's new!

Today is David's birthday. RIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NipJ_uzMu5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kfASOzPUO8

Unless I'm mistaken, I have Gerry Mulligan playing Sometime Ago on his Something Borrowed Something Blue Limelight album. I also have Brasil '66 doing it on an early '70s album.

These are the ten American beers whose sales declined the most from 2009-2014. Budweiser comes in at #10. http://247wallst.com/special-report/2015/12/07/beers-americans-no-longer-drink-2/2/

Happy Birthday 2015 Indestructible!

Happy Birthday, Jim!