GA Russell

ELLA FITZGERALD’S UNEARTHED LIVE CONCERT ALBUM RELEASED THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: ELLA AT THE COLISEUM OUT NOW FEBRUARY 28TH ON VERVE RECORDS THE FIRST LADY OF SONG MEETS THE DUKE’S MEN ALBUM RECORDED AT 1967 CONCERT WITH MEMBERS OF THE DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA “IN A MELLOW TONE” ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW WATCH Early Praise for The Moment Of Truth: “Ella packed the house and still packed a punch.” — Jazz Weekly “One of the countless examples of Ella Fitzgerald thrilling an audience with her talents.” — LIFE “Ella sounds exuberant.” — WRTI “A glorious celebration of Fitzgerald’s genius” MOJO ★★★★ ““Another remarkable musical treasure has emerged from the vaults of Verve Records.” — Jazzwise (March ‘25 issue) ★★★★ February 28, 2025 — Today, Verve Records shares a new and never-before-released live concert album from the First Lady Of Song, Ella Fitzgerald. The Moment of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum, is out now on all formats. The recordings were mixed and mastered in stunning clarity from the original analog multitrack tapes, resulting in pristine high-fidelity audio typically unheard of for a live concert recording of that era. Listen to the album here and watch the animated music video for “In A Mellow Tone,” directed by Sharon Liu, here. The Moment Of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum was recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, and was recently unearthed in the private tape collection of Verve Records founder Norman Granz. The album spans nine tracks, most never heard before, and features Ella accompanied by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra at its prime. The resulting recordings underscore Ella’s reputation as a renowned live performer (“utter perfection, personified” —The New York Times). There was never a moment when Ella didn’t deliver; every night was her Moment of Truth. This live album marks a particularly interesting time in Ella’s career. In the summer of 1967, she was in the middle of an especially rewarding three-year tour run and recording collaboration with Duke Ellington, and was incorporating hit pop songs of the late-60s into her concert repertoire—two of which are presented here for the first time on record; “Alfie” and “Music To Watch Girls By” are both standouts on The Moment of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum. Encouraged by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra on stage with her, Ella is both playful and powerful— she cracks jokes with the audience before stunning them with her unrivaled voice. Ella’s band includes the rarely-heard but hard-swinging trio of Jimmy Jones, Bob Cranshaw, and Sam Woodyard, while the Ellington band captured here at its peak, featured Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope. The First Lady Of Song meets The Duke’s Men — and it’s something to behold. THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: ELLA AT THE COLISEUM 1. The Moment Of Truth - 2:52 2. Don’t Be That Way - 4:33 3. You’ve Changed - 4:37 4. Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) - 4:43 5. Bye Bye Blackbird - 5:02 6. Alfie - 5:43 7. In A Mellow Tone - 4:41 8. Music To Watch Girls By - 3:56 9. Mack The Knife - 4:53 Recorded at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA on June 30, 1967. BAND DETAILS: Ella Fitzgerald – vocals The trio: Jimmy Jones – piano Bob Cranshaw – bass Sam Woodyard – drums Members of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra: Trumpets: Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams Trombones: Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper Reeds: Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Ella Fitzgerald - The Moment Of Truth - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 02:52 2. Ella Fitzgerald - Don’t Be That Way - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:34 3. Ella Fitzgerald - You’ve Changed - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:37 4. Ella Fitzgerald - Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:43 5. Ella Fitzgerald - Bye Bye Blackbird - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 05:02 6. Ella Fitzgerald - Alfie - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 05:44 7. Ella Fitzgerald - In A Mellow Tone - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:42 8. Ella Fitzgerald - Music To Watch Girls By - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 03:57 9. Ella Fitzgerald - Mack The Knife - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:53 ELLA FITZGERALD THE FIRST LADY OF SONG RELEASES NEW SINGLE “LET’S DO IT (LET'S FALL IN LOVE)” FROM UNEARTHED LIVE CONCERT ALBUM WATCH THE VISUALIZER HERE THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: ELLA AT THE COLISEUM TO BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 28TH ON VERVE RECORDS February 7, 2025 — Today, Verve Records is proud to release Ella Fitzgerald’s “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love),” the second single from her never-before-released live concert album, The Moment of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” offers a sinfully playful twist on the highly esteemed Cole Porter classic from the 1928 Broadway show Paris. Ella adds her own sprinkle of magic by not only extending the chorus of the track, but by switching up the original melody and mixing in pop culture references of the time. Listen to the new single here. Watch the visualizer here. The full live album, The Moment Of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum was recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, and was recently unearthed in the private tape collection of Verve Records founder Norman Granz. The album spans nine tracks, most never heard before, and features Ella accompanied by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra at its prime. Listen to the first single and title track “The Moment of Truth” here, watch the animated music video directed by Sharon Liu here, and pre-order the album here. Ella’s band includes the rarely-heard but hard-swinging trio of Jimmy Jones, Bob Cranshaw, and Sam Woodyard, while the Ellington band captured here at its peak, featured Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope. Ella alongside her band was a sight to behold. There was never a moment when she was not doing her absolute best work. The first lady of song strikes again with a song that makes you want to move to the sweet rhythms and melodies she seamlessly weaves together. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) is sure to be food for the soul and a treat for your ears. BAND DETAILS: Ella Fitzgerald – vocals The trio: Jimmy Jones – piano Bob Cranshaw – bass Sam Woodyard – drums Members of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra: Trumpets: Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams Trombones: Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper Reeds: Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope Connect with ELLA FITZGERALD: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Ella Fitzgerald - Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) (Live At The Coliseum) 04:43

Trombonist Reggie Watkins Centers Himself In, But Branches Out From, His Pittsburgh Home on "Rivers," Set for March 28 Release On BYNK Records Recording Features 12 Original Compositions, Performed by a Crack Steel City Quartet of Pianist Michael Bernabe, Bassist Eli Naragon, Drummer Jason Washington Jr. Performances Scheduled at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie, PA (3/29); Con Alma, Pittsburgh (4/30 & 5/14); The Bop Stop, Cleveland (6/20); Small's, NYC (6/23)   February 28, 2025 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—trombonist-composer Reggie Watkins’s adopted hometown, and one of America’s richest jazz cities—is at the heart of Rivers, Watkins’s fourth album as a leader, to be released March 28 on BYNK Records. But the album doesn’t confine itself to the City of Bridges. Ever the restless explorer, Watkins uses a Pittsburgh-based, post-bop jazz quartet featuring pianist Michael Bernabe, bassist Eli Naragon and drummer Jason Washington Jr. to take on the world. Even the title of the record (the first to comprise all Watkins originals) isn’t as specific to the city as it may seem. Of course Rivers refers on one level to Pittsburgh’s geographic foundation, the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. “You can’t get away from river culture,” Watkins says. “Whatever you do, wherever you go, there are always those three rivers you have to cross.” At the same time, however, the album (and its title track) also nods to Sam Rivers, the innovative Boston saxophonist who is one of Watkins’s inspirations. Watkins also pays tribute to other musical inspirations and friends from locations far and near. The wily opener “Blues for 3-D” is dedicated to the three D’s (trombonist, composer, and Oklahoma native David Gibson, as well as Andre Hayward and Steve Davis); playful but angular “Ocularity” tips its hat to Texan geniuses Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry; and the high-stepping “Blue 6” takes its cues both from New Yorker Thelonious Monk and from Jimmy Knepper, the California trombone great who is one of Watkins’s prime heroes. Even the far-flung locations themselves receive salutes on the album, as with the fond (and self-explanatory) closer “Shanghai Strut.” Even so, Pittsburgh—and the life and career Watkins has built for himself there—remain a constant presence on Rivers. “Hide n Seek,” with its blissful feel and affectionate romp of a trombone solo, is an ode to his children. “Meditations,” a tune that is exactly what its title promises, nonetheless suggests the placid ebb and flow of the river waters that remain the city’s defining feature. “I’ve just always had this connection to the city and the people and the jazz scene here,” the trombonist notes. “Musicians from Akron and Cleveland are coming to Pittsburgh and vice versa so now you have influences going in both directions.” Naturally, he expresses that bond in part through the powerful chemistry he shares with the album’s locally based band. “There’s special meaning to hooking up with talents like Eli, Michael, and Jason, who was only 23 when we first played together but played beyond his years,” says Watkins. Taken together, Rivers is the story of all these things rolled into one—and hence, a story of Watkins himself. Reggie Watkins was born August 24, 1971, in Wheeling, West Virginia, 60 miles outside of Pittsburgh. A music lover and aspiring brass player in his teenage years, he tried his hand at trumpet and tuba before finding the trombone in high school. He found it again, on another level, when he discovered J.J. Johnson while studying music at West Virginia University. Thereafter he dove headlong into jazz. After graduating, Watkins worked for a few years as a musician on the cruise ship circuit before moving to Pittsburgh in 1998, where he worked with noted drummer and native Pittsburgher Roger Humphries. At that point, legendary trumpeter and big bandleader Maynard Ferguson came calling, and Watkins toured with him for several years, becoming his musical director as well. From Ferguson, Watkins went to pop singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, with whom he worked for six years. Watkins recorded his first album, 2004’s A-List, while still with Ferguson, and his second, 2010’s One for Miles, One for Maynard (released in 2014), while with Mraz. His third, Avid Admirer: The Jimmy Knepper Project (featuring pianist Orrin Evans), came in 2016 after Knepper’s daughter Robin gifted Watkins her late father’s trombones. In addition, Watkins has recorded as a member of the funk ensemble Steeltown Horns, whose debut album 5 Years of Funk was released in 2023. For the last eight years, Watkins has recorded and toured with Orrin Evans and his three-time Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band. He is featured on their albums The Intangible Between (2020) and Walk a Mile in My Shoe (2024). The CD release show and after party will take place Sat. 3/29 at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall aka The Carnegie Carnegie in Carnegie, PA (Greater Pittsburgh). Watkins will also be performing at Con Alma in Pittsburgh, Wed. 4/30 and Wed. 5/14, as well as at The Bop Stop, Cleveland, Fri. 6/20 and Smalls, NYC, Mon. 6/23. Interview with CBS/Pittsburgh (February 2025) Photography: Sienna Watkins    EPK: Reggie Watkins "Rivers"  Reggie Watkins Web Site  

Combine results https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/28/invitational-combine-leaderboard-top-5-from-every-drill-2/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/28/top-results-from-the-2025-cfl-invitational-combine/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/28/11-advance-following-invitational-combine/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/28/cfl-promotes-11-prospects-from-invitational-combine-to-national-including-pair-of-quarterbacks/ ***** Richie Sindani has retired. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/28/toronto-argonauts-receiver-richie-sindani-taking-year-off-from-cfl-moved-to-retired-list/

I've never been much of a film buff, but I've seen all five of those. My feeling at the time (and I may have been wrong) was that not many people saw Night Moves. I enjoyed it.

Free Agent analysis https://3downnation.com/2025/02/27/what-the-calgary-stampeders-paid-their-2025-free-agent-signings-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/ ***** More on the Combine https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/27/5-players-to-watch-at-the-invitational-combine/ ***** BC uniform numbers https://3downnation.com/2025/02/27/b-c-lions-unveil-numbers-for-free-agent-signings/ ***** The Redblacks' training camp this year will be at Queen's in Kingston. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/27/ottawa-redblacks-to-host-2025-training-camp-in-kingston-sources/

https://x.com/RandyRRQuaid/status/1895124970335801464

More on the Combine https://www.cfl.ca/combine/2025-cfl-invitational-combine/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/26/western-university-montreal-top-all-schools-at-cfl-combine/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/26/5-cfl-players-that-attended-invitational-combines/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/26/15-players-to-watch-at-the-2025-cfl-invitational-combine/ ***** Having retired three months ago, Kristian Matte has joined BC's staff as their running backs coach. Matte was an offensive lineman, so I found this notable. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/26/lions-hire-kristian-matte-as-running-backs-coach/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/26/b-c-lions-hire-longtime-montreal-alouettes-ol-kristian-matte-as-rb-coach/ ***** Jearld Baylis has died, at only 62. RIP. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/toronto-argonauts-mourn-death-of-former-cfl-defensive-tackle-jearld-baylis-a-four-time-all-star-1.2260208 https://3downnation.com/2025/02/26/legendary-cfl-dl-jearld-baylis-dead-at-62/ ***** Almondo Sewell has joined the U Alberta Golden Bears' staff as their defensive line coach. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/26/university-of-alberta-hires-six-time-cfl-all-star-almondo-sewell-as-defensive-line-coach-sources/ ***** Free Agent analysis https://3downnation.com/2025/02/26/what-the-toronto-argonauts-paid-their-2025-free-agent-signings-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

not jazz 5 LPs on 2 CDs Disc One

The Combine explained https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/25/cfl-combine-101-the-basics-behind-every-drill/ ***** Power Rankings, cont. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/25/everything-wrong-with-the-way-too-early-amsoil-power-rankings/ ***** Free Agent analysis https://3downnation.com/2025/02/25/what-the-edmonton-elks-paid-their-2025-free-agent-signings-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

There was quite an auto race in Australia Saturday.

Power Rankings! https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/the-way-too-early-amsoil-power-rankings-are-here/ ***** Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/mmqb-favourite-east-division-free-agent-moves-so-far/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/22/how-much-the-saskatchewan-roughriders-paid-their-top-2025-free-agent-signings/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/24/what-the-b-c-lions-paid-their-top-2025-free-agent-signings-how-they-fit-in-to-the-roster/ ***** Ace Eley was BC's Outstanding Rookie last year, but last week they cut him. Today he signed with the Redblacks. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/redblacks-sign-american-lb-ayinde-eley/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/22/sources-b-c-lions-release-most-outstanding-rookie-nominee-ayinde-eley/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/24/ottawa-redblacks-lb-ayinde-ace-eley-following-release-from-b-c-lions/ ***** Julian Howsare has returned to the Ticats. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/24/ticats-add-defensive-end-julian-howsare/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/defensive-lineman-julian-howsare-returns-to-hamilton-tiger-cats-1.2256968 https://3downnation.com/2025/02/24/hamilton-tiger-cats-bring-back-veteran-dl-julian-howsare/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/hamilton-tiger-cats/american-de-howsare-returns-to-the-tiger-cats-additional-d-lineman-signed/ ***** Sask analyses https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/saskatchewan-roughriders-top-5-breakout-candidates-for-2025-gregs-version/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-february-23/

RIP Roberta Flack! I saw her ca. 1970 in a club in Washington called Mr. B's. I remember that the bass player was Steve Novosel. The one song I remember her singing was a hit some time later by The Carpenters - Leon Russell's Superstar (Don't you remember you told me you loved me, baby?).

Jim Snidero Bird Feathers Impacting February 24th, 2025 Format: Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Jim Snidero - Bird Feathers 05:12 2. Jim Snidero - Scrapple from the Apple 05:34 3. Jim Snidero - These Foolish Things 07:09 4. Jim Snidero - Ornithology 05:03 5. Jim Snidero - Embraceable You 05:57 6. Jim Snidero - The Nearness of You 05:20 7. Jim Snidero - Charlie’s Wig 04:44 8. Jim Snidero - Confirmation 05:06 9. Jim Snidero - Lover Man 02:52 New from Jim Snidero on Savant Records JIM SNIDERO - Bird Feathers Savant Records SCD 2224 Jim Snidero – alto saxophone Peter Washington – bass Joe Farnsworth – drums Airplay starts now • Suggested Tracks 1. Bird Feathers 5:12 • 2. Scrapple from the Apple 5:34 6. The Nearness of You 5:17 • 7. Charlie’s Wig 4:44 Like our stuff? Let’s hear from you. Record Company Contact Barney Fields • Savant Records, Inc. jazzdepo@ix.netcom.com • (212) 873-2020 • www.jazzdepot.com SCD 2224 J... 2224 Jim S... Richard Baratta Looking Back Impacting February 24th, 2025 Format: Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Richard Baratta - I Feel Good 04:58 2. Richard Baratta - Purple Haze 04:36 3. Richard Baratta - Blowin’ in the Wind 05:01 4. Richard Baratta - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds 05:45 5. Richard Baratta - Feeling Good 06:24 6. Richard Baratta - California Dreamin' 04:51 7. Richard Baratta - Whole Lotta Love 05:51 8. Richard Baratta - Hey Jude 06:25 9. Richard Baratta - Respect 05:51 10. Richard Baratta - You Can't Always Get What You Want 05:06 New from Richard Baratta on Savant Records RICHARD BARATTA - Looking Back Savant Records SCD 2222 Richard Baratta - drums, leader Bill O'Connell - piano • Vincent Herring - alto saxophone Paul Bollenback - guitar • Michael Goetz - bass Paul Rossman - percussion • Carroll Scott – vocal (track 5 only) Airplay starts now • Suggested Tracks 1. I Feel Good 4:58 • 3. Blowin’ in the Wind 5:04 4. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds 5:47 • 6. California Dreamin’ 4:53 Like our stuff? Let’s hear from you. Record Company Contact Barney Fields • Savant Records, Inc. jazzdepo@ix.netcom.com • (212) 873-2020 • www.jazzdepot.com SCD 2222 R... SCD 2222 R...

Jim, that's not the point. The man who releases a new album every year can claim to be a recording artist. That is more valuable than the dollars he receives for the CDs, I think.

Suppose a guy wanted to make a CD as a vanity exercise on the cheap. How much would it cost him? Any idea? For years Blossom Dearie made her own albums.

Ken, I'm surprised to hear this. Years ago I saw Roger Moore tell Johnny Carson that when he was starting out, Noel Coward told him to take any acting job that became available; because an out-of-work actor isn't anything. I would think that a jazz musician who annually released a new CD could use it as proof that he is still in the business.

Speaking of Blossom Dearie, I would like to see a Blossom Dearie Verve box. I don't think it would come close to filling seven CDs, but the albums I have are quite good.

My least favorite of the series thus far (of the nine I have read).

Johnny Augustine has signed with the Ticats. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/21/ticats-sign-national-rb-johnny-augustine/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-veteran-canadian-de-enock-makonzo-1.2255559 https://3downnation.com/2025/02/21/hamilton-bomber-cats-canadian-rb-johnny-augustine-becomes-eighth-ex-winnipeg-player-to-signs-with-ticats/

Free Agent analyses https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/19/5-notable-free-agency-signings-in-recent-years/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/19/10-sneaky-good-free-agency-signings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/20/5-noteworthy-canadian-free-agent-signings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/20/which-team-made-the-biggest-free-agency-splash/ ***** Kerfalla Exume has signed with the Riders. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-two-time-grey-cup-champion-db-kerfalla-exume-1.2253977 https://www.cfl.ca/2025/02/18/riders-sign-defensive-back-kerfalla-exume/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-canadian-db-kerfalla-exume/ ***** Charlie Baillie has died at 90. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/longtime-montreal-alouettes-player-mcgill-head-coach-charlie-baillie-dead-at-90/ ***** Anthony Bennett has signed with the Als. https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-pick-dl-anthony-bennett-to-1-year-deal/ https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-anthony-bennett/ ***** David Mackie has agreed to become the players union's new Executive Director. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/recently-retired-canadian-fullback-david-mackie-hired-as-cflpa-executive-director-sources/ ***** Juwan Simpson will be an assistant coach at East Mississippi Community College. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/20/former-cfl-player-coach-juwan-simpson-hired-at-east-mississippi-community-college/ ***** Lucky Whitehead will be an assistant coach at a Fredericksburg, VA, high school. https://3downnation.com/2025/02/20/retired-cfl-all-star-lucky-whitehead-hired-as-receivers-coach-special-teams-coordinator-for-virginia-high-school/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/the-end-of-a-lucky-era/ ***** Argos analysis https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/can-toronto-argonauts-survive-another-off-season-of-great-turnover/ ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/saskatchewan-roughriders-top-5-breakout-candidates-for-2025-alexs-version/

GERMAN JAZZ PRIZE 2025 Introducing the Expert and Special Jury – Award Ceremony on June 13 in Cologne ● 30 high-profile professionals on the expert and special jury ● Awards in 22 categories ● Award ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne Preparations for the German Jazz Prize 2025 are well underway. Organized by the Initiative Musik, this prestigious award, now in its fifth edition, honors outstanding achievements in jazz and improvised music. The award ceremony will take place on June 13, 2025, at the E-Werk in Cologne. 25 High-Profile Members of the Expert Jury and Five More on the Special Jury The 25-member expert jury, consisting of renowned figures from the jazz and improvised music scene, is responsible for selecting the nominees from more than 1,000 submissions. This independent jury represents the broad spectrum of the genre, bringing together artists and experts from the fields labels/publishing, venues/festivals, artist management/agencies, and media/journalism. Their collective expertise ensures that the diversity of jazz is well represented, and outstanding artistic achievements are recognized. This year, for the first time, a five-member special jury will select the four nominees as well as the prize winner in the category Composition/ Arrangement. "It was an honor to serve as a jury member in this category. It was a truly fascinating process, discovering new and interesting arrangements, compositions, and artistic expressions. The diversity, variety, and broad spectrum of innovative approaches showcased how jazz can be seen through different lenses. It was also inspiring to witness the dedication, passion, and care each jury member brought to the process of analyzing the applications." Diego Piñera, Member of the Special Jury The 21 winners in the other categories will be selected by the 17-member main jury, which will be announced at a later date. Awards in 22 Categories The German Jazz Prize, which awards a minimum of €10,000 to each winner, recognizes a total of 22 categories, including artists, recording/production, live, composition/arrangement, and three special prizes. The prize highlights the importance of achievements in jazz as a whole and aims to recognize and promote the genre alongside improvised music in all its forms. Award Ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne on June 13 The highlight of the German Jazz Prize 2025 is the award ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne. Outstanding musicians and artists from the jazz scene gather on June 13 to celebrate the diversity and innovative power of the genre. Further information can be found at www.deutscher-jazzpreis.de Expert Jury of the German Jazz Prize 2025: ● Anja Illmaier – Intakt Records, Director of Taktlos Festival, Association Friends of Irène Schweizer ● Daniela Siemon – PR Consultant, Owner of the Agency der Promotor ● Dennis Wiesch – Dramaturgy and Project Development at Monheimer Kulturwerke GmbH ● Dhanesh Jayaselan – Creative Director, Producer & Cultural Curator ● Isumi Rögner – Cultural Manager, Dramaturg, Translator, Jazz Advisor at Goethe-Institute Head Office ● Janis Burley Wilson – President of August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Founder/Director of Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival ● Judyth Babin – Artist Manager, Tour Agent, Label ● Karen Kennedy – Artist Manager, President and Founder 24 Seven Artist Development ● Kevin le Gendre – Journalist and Broadcaster ● Marie Blobel – Curator jazzwerkstatt Peitz & jazzexzess ● Marieke Meischke – Writer, Artistic Director Jazz Maastricht/Music Meeting Festival, Advisor Dutch Performing Arts Fund, Confidential Counsellor ●Martin Brugger – Musician and Producer, Co-Founder of Squama Recordings ● Max von Pretz – Co-Artistic Director of the Südtirol Jazzfestival Alto Adige and Artistic Director of the Jazz Program at Dekadenz Brixen ● Maxi Broecking – Journalist, Author (ZEIT, Tagesspiegel, Taz, Jazzthing), Lecturer (Columbia University, HCA), Curator, Publicist ● Michaela Drnek Bóková – Label Manager, Producer, Vocalist ● Natalie Greffel – Musician and Curator for XJAZZ! Festival ● Olga Reznichenko – Pianist, Educator ● Sebastian Hecht – Managing Director of XJAZZ! Festival ● Shannon Barnett – Musician, Composer, Educator ● Silvan Strauss – Drummer and Producer ● Sophie Emilie Beha – Music Journalist, Curator, Author, Presenter ● Tony Lakatos – Saxophonist, Composer, Producer ● Vincent Bababoutilabo – Musician, Author ● Werner Aldinger – Label Owner (enja & yellowbird records) ● Wolf Kampmann – Music Journalist, Author, University Lecturer Special Jury of the German Jazz Prize 2025: ● Charlotte Greve – Saxophonist & Composer ● Diego Piñera – Drummer, Composer, Arranger ● Django Bates – Pianist, Eb Horn Player, Composer, Educator and Professor of Jazz at Bern University of the Arts ● Gebhard Ullmann – Musician (Woodwind Instruments) and Composer ● Sylvaine Hélary – Flutist, Composer and Artistic Director of Orchestre National de Jazz GERMAN JAZZ PRIZE Since 2021, the German Jazz Prize has been honoring outstanding artistic achievements in the national and international jazz scenes. Main sponsor of the prize is Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. The fifth edition takes place on June 13 at the E-Werk in Cologne, in cooperation with the city of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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Disc One

It has begun to snow. Still light flurries. The forecast calls for three inches. This is our third snowfall of the year. I think this is the first time we've had three since I moved here in the autumn of 2001. The first was an inch that was gone in 24 hours. The second was maybe two inches that lasted a couple of days. The temp will rise to the 50s in a few days, so I expect today's to be gone quickly. There is no traffic at all. The Publix was somewhat crowded, but no apparent bread-and-milk panic buying.