GA Russell

Today only: The Man from UNCLE (complete) - $59.99 http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWD1ZMK?ref_=gbrc_tit_r-1_5082_31d773d7&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Tonight's Argos-Eskimos game will be on ESPN2, starting at 9:00 pm eastern. ***** The Redblacks have released Chevon Walker. http://3downnation.com/2015/08/28/chevon-walker-out-in-the-nations-capital/#comments http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-release-rb-walker-look-to-rb-johnson-1.352300 http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-release-rb-chevon-walker ***** Mark Fulton has studied the stats to come to conclusions regarding the season so far. http://3downnation.com/2015/08/27/what-has-been-working-in-the-cfl-first-eight-games-2015-cfl-regular-season/#comments ***** Here Mark Fulton discusses his use of stats regarding his power rankings. http://3downnation.com/2015/08/19/a-practical-guide-for-power-rankings/#comments

Happy Birthday 2015 kh, born in 1958!

Happy Birthday 2015 Joe!

John Hodge Week 10 picks http://3downnation.com/2015/08/27/week-10-cfl-picks/#comments ***** Mike Beamish 8/27 power rankings http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/power+rankings+week/11320685/story.html ***** This weekend marks the halfway point of the season.

The other thing I remember about Dawkins was the necklaces. And the backboards shattering. I think that that was what the fans came to see!

Montreal 26....Hamilton 23 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/montreal-alouettes-hamilton-tiger-cats-20150827/Stats http://cfl.ca/article/als-hang-on-for-big-win-at-tim-hortons-field http://www.tsn.ca/als-hand-ticats-first-loss-at-tim-hortons-field-1.352050 http://3downnation.com/2015/08/27/the-streak-is-over-ticats-fall-26-23-to-als/#comments Great game! The Als looked the best they have all season, especially their defense. Cato hurt something, maybe his right hip, in the second quarter; and Tanner Marsh came in and finished the game without showing much rust. Boris Bede missed only his second FG of the year. During the halftime, Angelo Mosca's number was retired. He mentioned the Ticats to whom he owed a lot, and I realized that I have met every one of them - Jake Gaudaur, Ralph Sazio, Joe Zuger, Rooster Fleming and Bob Young. Bernie Faloney is the only other Ticat to have his number retired. http://cfl.ca/article/tiger-cats-officially-retire-angelo-moscas-no-68 http://3downnation.com/2015/08/27/milton-mosca-will-always-be-the-face-of-hamilton/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/08/25/milton-mosca-still-looms-larger-than-life/#comments

Tonight's Als-Ticats game is on ESPN2 at 7:30 pm eastern. ***** Week 10 game notes http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-10 ***** Teams are not converting third and one as often as usual. http://cfl.ca/article/landry-teams-struggling-on-third-and-short-situations ***** Chris Getzlaf hurt himself in practice, and will not play this week. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/getzlaf-leaves-riders-practice-on-crutches~689567 ***** Another trick shot from Argos long snapper Jake Reinhart. http://www.tsn.ca/tnf-trick-shots-the-roof-top-shot-1.351809 ***** Justin Dunk Week 10 picks http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/week-10-cfl-picks-riders-may-finally-get-in-win-column/ ***** Dan Ralph Week 10 picks http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/calgary-stampeders-find-themselves-back-atop-west/article26117043/

My recollection of Dawkins is that he was one of the first to skip college. RIP.

Laurie Antonioli's "Varuna,"A Duo Session with Pianist Richie Beirach,To Be Released by Origin RecordsSeptember 18 A Follow-Up to the Vocalist's 2014 Joni Mitchell Tribute,"Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light,"New CD Is Her 2nd with Longtime Collaborator Beirach& 2nd for the Origin Label August 25, 2015 Since returning to her native Bay Area in 2006 from a period of living and working in Europe, vocalist Laurie Antonioli has concentrated her creative energies on her American Dreams band, which backed her on last year's breakthrough Origin Records release Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light. For her new Origin CD, Varuna, Antonioli returns to an important chapter in her musical life by recording intimate sessions with her collaborator of more than 25 years, the esteemed pianist Richie Beirach. The CD, Antonioli's 6th as a leader, will be released September 18. "I've been sitting on these sessions until the time was right," says the vocalist of Varuna, which was recorded in Leipzig, Germany (Beirach's home base) nearly 10 years ago and completed in Berkeley in 2012. "We do some of Richie's brand-new original material, with my lyrics, as well as several standards completely reimagined. The Resolution Suite features three pieces improvised by Richie and me with bassist Pepe Berns. The poem on 'Revelation' happened in the moment, and 'Exaltation' was inspired by Coltrane's 'sheets of sound.'" "Laurie is the real deal," says Beirach, "with a rich, elegant alto voice, great intonation and phrasing, and most of all, that unteachable, unexplainable element of humanity in every note she sings. Piano and voice is very intimate, with no place to hide but incredibly free and capable of magic moments. I love working with Laurie because it's truly like breathing from the same source of air. Especially on this CD, we are as one mind, one will, and one musical entity." Antonioli and Beirach's first recorded encounter, in 1992, was a startlingly inventive date released by Nabel Records in 2005 as The Duo Session. With Antonioli holding down a professorship at Austria's KUG University between 2002 and 2006 and Beirach teaching in Leipzig, they performed regularly in top clubs and concert halls around Europe. The prolific Beirach gave Antonioli his latest original tunes so she could write lyrics to them, an activity that has formed the backbone of their creative partnership. "Writing lyrics to Richie's music feels like an extension of our conversations," says the vocalist. "And knowing what he had in mind often informs the storyline." Varuna features three of these songs: the hauntingly cinematic "Inside My Dreams"; the sensuous ballad "My Love"; and the gently flowing title track, which establishes a shimmering feel that pervades the entire album. Varuna, the Vedic god who lives in celestial waters, is also the name of the recently discovered dwarf planet near Pluto. The album's themes of time and space are echoed throughout -- longing for home in "Over the Rainbow," the night wind in "Summer Night," the unseen presence of a loved one in "You're an Angel Now" (Laurie's lyrics to John Patitucci's music). Early on in her career, Laurie Antonioli was a protégée of Joe Henderson, Mark Murphy, and Pony Poindexter, who recruited the 22-year-old singer for an extensive European tour that turned into an eight-month sojourn in 1980. Following the release of her 1985 recording debut Soul Eyes, a duo album with George Cables, Antonioli was one of the Bay Area's most visible singers, booked at leading venues and festivals with her own band, performing regularly with Bobby McFerrin, and sitting in with luminaries like Tete Montoliu, Jon Hendricks, and Cedar Walton at Keystone Korner. Laurie's second album, 2004's Foreign Affair, is a bracing blend of post-bop jazz and Balkan music created with players from Serbia, Albania, Germany, and the U.S. Her fourth, American Dreams (2010), was inspired by feelings that arose during her years abroad and features a number of her collaborations with Austrian pianist Fritz Pauer. Her brilliant 2014 Joni Mitchell tribute, Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light, appeared on numerous best-album-of-the-year lists and received particularly cherished accolades from Ms. Mitchell herself, who invited Antonioli to perform at SFJAZZ's May 2015 gala celebration in Mitchell's honor (alongside Kris Kristofferson, Kurt Elling, and Patti Austin, among others). For the last nine years Antonioli has served as the Chair of the Vocal Program at Berkeley's California Jazz Conservatory (formerly the Jazzschool). She created a unique eight-semester curriculum for the Vocal Department's degree program as well as overseeing hundreds of artists in workshops and concerts she organizes. "I enjoy the opportunity to pass on what I've learned and implement a program that is both organic and academically sound. That said, artistry is elusive and not necessarily something that can be taught, which is a very provocative challenge. I'm motivated to contribute what I can to preserve this delicate, complex, and soulful art form." Laurie Antonioli and her American Dreams band will be appearing 9/6 at JoniFest in Greenville, SC; 10/10 at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley; and 11/20 at the Unitarian Church in Berkeley, before entering Fantasy Studios 12/14 to record their next album. Antonioli and Beirach are planning a European tour, with dates to be announced, in April 2016. Web Site: laurieantonioli.comFollow: Like:

8/26 Checking Down http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-news-and-notes-for-week-10 ***** Jamie Nye Week 10 picks http://cfl.ca/article/weekly-predictor-do-the-roughriders-grab-their-first-win ***** Chris Schultz Week 10 picks http://www.tsn.ca/talent/week-10-picks-a-tough-first-assignment-for-popp-and-the-als-1.351168 ***** Scott Cullen 8/26 power rankings http://www.tsn.ca/tiger-cats-continue-to-rule-cfl-rankings-1.350962 ***** Lions co-founder Victor Spencer has died at 90. http://www.tsn.ca/lions-co-founder-spencer-passes-away-at-90-1.351224 ***** The Ticats' defense has scored 8 touchdowns in 8 games. The record for the season is 11 (BC, 1987). http://cfl.ca/article/infographic-will-ticat-d-break-the-td-record ***** CJOB Week 10 picks http://www.cjob.com/2015/08/26/680-cjob-football-panel-going-for-a-10-with-week-ten-cfl-picks/

Thanks HF!

Guys, regarding the George Adams box: How many of the five CDs feature Don Pullen? http://www.importcds.com/complete-remastered-recordings-5pc/8052405140616

Malcolm Kelly 8/25 power rankings http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-power-rankings-week-9-1.3203120 ***** cfl.ca 8/25 power rankings http://cfl.ca/article/nissan-titan-power-rankings-was-the-argos-win-enough ***** More on Angelo Mosca http://www.tsn.ca/tiger-cats-set-to-retire-mosca-s-no-68-jersey-1.350763 ***** The Canadian dollar is declining, and the players are feeling it. http://3downnation.com/2015/08/24/falling-loonie-hits-cfl-players-right-in-the-pocketbook/ ***** The Argos' attendance last week was their smallest since 2003. http://3downnation.com/2015/08/24/rogers-centre-a-sea-of-empty-seats-for-argos/ ***** Halfway down this page, you will find links to each team's roster. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl

The Bombers have signed a receiver named Mike Willie. Ian Busby says that we can expect to see a Willy to Willie connection! http://www.tsn.ca/hash-marks-qb-franklin-to-start-for-esks-1.350219

Not only are the Eskimos not worried about Franklin's lung contusion, they will start him this week. http://cfl.ca/article/report-franklin-to-make-first-career-start-vs-argos ***** Week 9 Plays of the Week http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/115119 ***** Reports have Ronnie Pfeffer signing a three-year contract with the Redblacks. http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/rookie-kickerpunter-pfeffer-signs-with-redblacks/ http://cfl.ca/article/report-redblacks-ink-kicker-punter-ronnie-pfeffer ***** Here's the collection of trick shots so far. http://www.thesnap.ca/tag/trick-shots/ ***** Here's a look at Pinball Clemons. http://www.argonauts.ca/video/index/id/114791

Mark Fulton 8/24 power rankings http://3downnation.com/2015/08/24/power-rankings-by-the-numbers-end-week-8/#comments You will note that this is based on stats, and that he ranks the winless Riders eighth, ahead of the Lions. ***** Week 9 review http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-replay-looking-back-at-week-9 ***** James Franklin suffered a lung contusion Friday. No word yet on whether he will be put on an injured list. http://cfl.ca/article/eskimos-provide-injury-update-on-qb-james-franklin ***** Alzheimer's Canada will honor Angelo Mosca. Here's a nice video about him and Joe Kapp. http://www.tsn.ca/mosca-to-be-honoured-by-alzheimer-s-canada-1.350258

Hamilton 49....Edmonton 20 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/hamilton-tiger-cats-edmonton-eskimos-20150821/Stats http://cfl.ca/article/ticats-put-up-49-points-in-convincing-win-over-eskimos http://3downnation.com/2015/08/22/picture-perfect-ticats-lay-waste-to-eskimos-49-20/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/08/22/statement-emphatically-made-ticats-crush-eskimos-49-20/#comments The Ticats' offense had no difficulty solving the Eskimos' highly-praised defense. ***** Calgary 34....Sask 31 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/calgary-stampeders-saskatchewan-roughriders-20150822/Stats http://www.cfl.ca/article/steady-stampeders-hold-off-roughriders-for-sixth-win http://3downnation.com/2015/08/23/first-road-win-doesnt-come-easy-but-stamps-get-job-done/#comments http://3downnation.com/2015/08/23/riders-skid-creates-radio-discussions/#comments Fun game. The Stamps were clearly the superior team; but whenever they would take a comfortable lead, the Riders would come back and catch up. ***** Toronto 30....Ottawa 24 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/ottawa-redblacks-toronto-argonauts-20150823/Stats http://cfl.ca/article/comeback-kids-strike-again-as-argos-edge-redblacks See-saw battle! The Argos took the last lead with seven minutes to go in the fourth. It looks like the Redblacks will have to be considered a competitive team this year. The Argos are 6-2 for the first time since 1997. ***** The Als announced that Turk Schonert will remain as offensive coordinator, but Anthony Calvillo will take over his duties as quarterback coach. http://www.tsn.ca/als-calvillo-named-qb-coach-1.349421 **** Dave Dickinson, Leroy Blugh, Eddie Ddavis, Gene Makowski, Bob O'Billovich, Larry Reda and Robert Wettenhall were inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday in Regina. http://cfl.ca/article/canadian-football-hall-of-fame-welcomes-new-class http://3downnation.com/2015/08/19/davis-makowsky-truly-deserve-hall-of-fame-inductions/#comments

Not jazz, but... Dusty in Memphis with AutoRip is $3.99 today. http://www.amazon.com/Dusty-Memphis-Springfield/dp/B008645ZAC

Happy Birthday 2015 Tom!

Big news! The Als fired Tom Higgins tonight. Jim Popp will serve as head coach for the rest of the year. http://3downnation.com/2015/08/21/montreal-alouettes-relieve-tom-higgins-of-head-coaching-duties/#comments http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-fire-higgins-as-head-coach-gm-popp-to-take-over-1.349149 http://cfl.ca/article/als-part-ways-with-higgins-popp-takes-over-sidelines

Montreal 23....BC 13 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/montreal-alouettes-bc-lions-20150820/Stats http://cfl.ca/article/fourth-quarter-play-powers-als-past-lions http://3downnation.com/2015/08/21/alouettes-put-15-years-of-bc-place-futility-behind-them/#comments Not a bad game, but mostly a defensive battle which went by the numbers. This is the Als' first win at BC Place since 2000! ***** Swayze Waters will return to the Argos' lineup this week, so the Argos have released Ronnie Pfeffer. Brandon Whitaker will also be back. http://www.tsn.ca/argos-k-waters-set-to-return-ray-throws-1.349018 http://www.tsn.ca/whitaker-waters-set-to-return-for-argonauts-1.348577 ***** Justin Medlock "barefoot ball spin" trick shot http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/thursday-night-trick-shots-week-9~685183

An American named Jason Holmes will make his debut Saturday for St. Kilda. If I read this right, the only other American to play in the AFL moved with his family to Australia when he was five years old. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/american-saint-jason-holmes-to-debut-this-weekend-20150820-gj3d4j.html

Week 9 game notes http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-9 ***** The Bombers announced that they have indeed signed Jasper Simmons. http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-ink-linebacker-jasper-simmons ***** John Hodge Week 9 picks http://3downnation.com/2015/08/20/week-nine-cfl-picks/#comments ***** Justin Dunk Week 9 picks http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/week-9-cfl-picks-lions-will-feast-on-cato-als/ ***** Mike Beamish Week 9 picks and 8/20 power rankings http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Week+Picks+power+rankings/11304636/story.html ***** Dan Ralph Week 9 picks http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/cfls-top-defences-to-take-centre-stage-in-hamilton-edmonton-contest/article26028332/ ***** CJOB Week 9 picks http://www.cjob.com/2015/08/19/the-680-cjob-football-panel/

"Cheerin' Up the Universe,"New CD by Trumpeter/Vocalist Bob Merrill,Due for September 4 Release byAccurate Records Merrill's 4th CD as a LeaderIncludes Support from John Medeski, Drew Zingg,Nicki Parrott, George Schuller, Russ Gershon,& Special Guests Harry Allen (Tenor Sax),Roswell Rudd (Trombone),Gabrielle Agachiko (Vocal) August 19, 2015 Trumpeter/vocalist Bob Merrill has had an amazingly varied career in and around music -- mentored by his late father-in-law Joe Bushkin, Jaki Byard, and Red Rodney; starting and operating Hip Pocket Recording Studios in New York City; and recording as a leader himself. Cheerin' Up the Universe, his new CD and fourth to date, is being released September 4 by Accurate Records, which has also reissued two of Merrill's earlier albums (Catch As Catch Can, Got a Bran' New Suit). In the great tradition of trumpeter-singers, going back to Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, and Louis Prima, Merrill is both a carefree entertainer who wants to lift up his audience and a serious artist who pays the deepest respect to jazz tradition with his mastery of forms. On previous albums, the New York-based artist mined the jazz mainstream, sometimes with a stylish Rat Pack-era sound, sometimes with a deeper blend of late swing and hard bop -- and always, says Accurate Records honcho Russ Gershon, who has known Merrill since they were classmates at Harvard, with real jazz and real blues feeling. "He has a passionate attachment to the real thing," said Gershon, leader of Either/Orchestra, who lends his saxophone skills to the album. Backed by such one-of-a-kind guest players as trombone great Roswell Rudd and keyboardist John Medeski, Merrill indulges himself-and anyone who has grown up loving the likes of James Taylor ("The Secret o' Life"), Steely Dan ("IGY [What a Beautiful World]"), Burt Bacharach ("I Say a Little Prayer"), and Stevie Wonder ("Overjoyed") -- by applying his personal touch to a selection of pop hits that in spirit and title promote happiness. For a little icing on the cake, he covers Pharrell's inescapable "Happy," with the lyrical bassist Nicki Parrott harmonizing and a touch of Lee Morgan's infectious "Sidewinder" informing the bridge. The title track, a fetching Merrill original, aims to cheer up the universe "one star at a time." L. to r.: Bob Merrill, Russ Gershon, Roswell Rudd. Merrill has deep history with the musicians on the date: guitarist Drew Zingg was a grade school classmate; his friendship with drummer George Schuller dates back to boarding school; keyboardist/arranger John Van Eps first connected with Merrill at the New England Conservatory. John Medeski, who contributes to four tracks on piano and two on organ, met Merrill in 1989, when the keyboardist was hired, at Gershon's suggestion, for a gig in Cambridge. "Russ also suggested some bass players who were all booked," Merrill explains. "But my last call was to Chris Wood, who was free. It was on that gig that Medeski met Wood, and they later added Martin -- the rest is history." Bob Merrill has had similar encounters with kismet throughout his life, which began in 1958 in Manhattan. He grew up in the Upper East Side building where Benny Goodman lived, and once he'd heard Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing," young Bob was hooked on jazz. After his head was turned by Doc Severinsen's trumpet playing during a Tonight Show taping his father took him to, Bob devoted himself to the horn. He took lessons and played gigs with local trumpet guru Felix Sangenito and also studied with William Vacchiano, first trumpet chair at the New York Philharmonic. While attending Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, he jammed with saxophonist Thomas Chapin. Accepted at Harvard, Merrill deferred for a year to study jazz at the New England Conservatory of Music, where his teachers included George Russell and Jaki Byard. He formed a group with drummer George Schuller, son of the late Gunther Schuller, then president of NEC. Merrill began singing, he says, when he played wedding gigs and discovered that attractive women on the dance floor turned to hear what someone on stage was singing more than they ever turned to hear what someone was playing. His relaxed vocals add an important dimension to his art. He modestly says that his understated style is a concession to his vocal limitations. But with his Mel Tormé-influenced smoothness and Kurt Elling-like articulation, he is an appealing and distinctive interpreter of the Great American Songbook. After marrying Christina Bushkin in 1991, Merrill coaxed her father, the fabled swing pianist Joe Bushkin, out of retirement. One of their first gigs was a memorable run at Tavern on the Green in Central Park with a group featuring bass immortal Milt Hinton, who credited Bushkin for bringing him to New York in the early '50s for an extended run at the Embers with Jo Jones. Merrill produced CD reissues of Joe Bushkin's classic LPs, and they played the jazz festival circuit until the pianist's death in 2004. The release of Cheerin' Up the Universe opens a new chapter in Merrill's musical life. "We now embark on the process of cheering up the universe in various venues, until we reach Pluto," says Bob. He'll be appearing in support of the new album at the following: 9/17 Caffe Vivaldi, NYC; 9/24 Oak Room Tavern, Sea Cliff, NY; 10/22 Treme, Islip, NY. Additional dates are in the works. Web Site: bobmerrill.netFollow: Like: