GA Russell

I'll look forward to this one. I didn't particularly go for his Freedmantown album not because of the music but because of the politics. Drummer/Composer Reggie Quinerly's "Invictus" To Be Released March 17 By Redefinition Musc Follow-Up to 2012 Debut "Music Inspired by Freedmantown" Features Warren Wolf, Vibraphone; Yotam Silberstein, Guitar; Christian Sands, Piano; & Co-Producer/Bassist Alan Hampton CD Release Show at Smoke, NYC, March 25 February 2, 2015 Drummer/composer Reggie Quinerly made an indelible impression on the jazz world with his 2012 debut recording, Music Inspired by Freedmantown, a soulful and serious-minded tribute to the historic African-American neighborhood in Houston where he grew up. For his second CD, Invictus, which will be released by the drummer's Redefinition Music label on March 17, Quinerly takes inspiration -- and the CD's title -- from the 1875 poem by William Ernest Henley ("I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul"). "Many of today's artists face great uncertainty," Quinerly observes in the new CD's notes, ". . . and while critics, musicians and fans continue to debate the commercial sustainability of an entire industry, I firmly believe its sustainability rests solely within us creators: no matter who is (or isn't) listening, we must persevere, we must create and we must document, because only that which is documented lives on." Invictus demonstrates with its very different musical demands just how much Quinerly has developed into a balanced yet ever-evolving artist. The album surrounds him with a brilliant young cast: vibraphonist Warren Wolf, regarded as one of the most exciting players on the instrument in years; prodigious pianist Christian Sands; rising guitarist Yotam Silberstein; and lyrical bassist Alan Hampton. One of the wonders of Invictus is how much freedom the compositions allow these ravishing soloists while staying inside its textural designs. Quinerly had this particular instrumentation in mind from the start, crafting compositions that took into account the sonorities and lyrical abilities of each player. Wolf is showcased on the album opener "Tavares," dedicated to Horace Silver and "rooted in tradition with a certain earthiness." Bassist Hampton, Quinerly's high school classmate and "one of my favorite musicians to work with," is the soloist on the melodic "Nimzo Indian," named for the chess strategy. Guitarist Silverstein is featured on the ballad "Variation 24," and Sands on the solo piano piece "Kunst Überlebt" (Art Survives). On Reggie's arrangement of "My Blue Heaven," the disc's only nonoriginal, the leader tips his hat to another musical influence, the illustrious pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams. "As a composer, the melodies you write are like parts of your identity, like your name," says Quinerly. "If a melody is not done right, if the notes are not played properly, it's like mispronouncing your name. but all the musicians on this project pay special attention to properly interpreting the intended themes." Reggie Quinerly, 34, was born and raised in Houston's Fourth Ward -- once known as Freedmantown -- and attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where his classmates included Mike Moreno, Robert Glasper, Eric Harland, Jason Moran, and Alan Hampton. After graduation he headed for New York City, enrolling at the Mannes School of Music at New School University and studying there with Jimmy Cobb, Lewis Nash, and Kenny Washington. He earned a B.A. from Mannes and later an M.A. from Juilliard, both in Jazz Studies. Noted as "a drummer and composer of swinging disposition" (Nate Chinen, New York Times), Quinerly has worked with such notable musicians as Von Freeman, Vincent Herring, John Hicks, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and Greg Osby. With saxophonist Marcus Strickland, he also played and lectured in New York City schools as part of Lincoln Center's Jazz in the Schools program. He frequently collaborates with vocalist/pianist Enoch Smith Jr., who appeared on Quinerly's first project. The first CD release show for Invictus will take place on Wednesday 3/25 at Smoke, 2751 Broadway, New York City, when Quinerly will lead a quartet comprised of Jaleel Shaw, alto saxophone; Lawrence Fields, piano; and Alan Hampton, bass. Additional dates are in the works. Photography: Javier Oddo (top), Adam Sjoberg (bottom) Web Site: reggiequinerly.com Follow: Like:

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Here is the list of the 2014 jazz releases that are up for a Grammy. http://www.grammy.com/nominees?genre=16 Any recommendations?

Happy Birthday 2015 Thom!

A man in a Florida supermarket tried to buy half a head of lettuce. The very young produce assistant told him that they sell only whole heads of lettuce. The man persisted and asked to see the manager. The boy said he'd ask his manager about it. Walking into the back room, the boy said to his manager: 'Some asshole wants to buy half a head of lettuce.' As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he added, 'And this gentleman has kindly offered to buy the other half.' The manager approved the deal, and the man went on his way. Later the manager said to the boy, 'I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son?' ‘Canada, sir,' the boy replied. 'Well, why did you leave Canada?' the manager asked. The boy said, 'Sir, there's nothing but whores and hockey players up there.' ‘Really?' said the manager. 'My wife is from Canada.' ‘No shit?' replied the boy. 'Who'd she play for?

And with Shorty Rogers, I feel like I started with the best and could never find anything as good afterward. I became aware of him through a CD called "Short Stops," which collected two of his early 10" albums and the Wild One EP. I then started picking up all of the LPs I could find, but none of them ever struck me like the music on that CD. Is it because those are his best arrangements, or is it because I heard them first? TTK, that was precisely my experience as well!

And later... and I have seen composer's credit for One Monkey given to Joe Tex.

I had a couple in college... and

Bill Polian, who was the personnel man for both the Als and the Bombers when they won Grey Cups way back in the day, has been elected to the Canton hall of fame. http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/polian-elected-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame-20150131

I have seen a number of reports that Chicago has signed John Chiles to a future contract, but I haven't seen a definition of what that is. Any idea? http://www.tsn.ca/bears-ink-former-argos-wr-chiles-to-contract-1.193703 ***** The Bombers have traded Cory Watson to the Riders for Kris Bastien. The word is that Watson told the Bombers he would retire if he was not traded. http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-acquire-wr-watson-from-bombers-in-exchange-for-wr-bastien-1.194696 http://cfl.ca/article/trade-riders-acquire-wr-watson-from-bombers ***** Tom Higgins has decided that Anthony Calvillo will be his receivers coach this year. http://www.tsn.ca/former-star-qb-calvillo-named-alouettes-receivers-coach-1.194801 ***** Hamilton native (and therefore national/non-import) receiver Austin Collie has signed with the Lions after five years in the NFL. Collie has a history of concussions, so his passing his physical and getting much playing time are yet to be determined. http://www.tsn.ca/b-c-lions-sign-former-nfl-receiver-collie-to-contract-1.195009 http://cfl.ca/article/buono-inks-free-agent-wr-collie ***** Ian Wild has tweeted that he will sign with Pittsburgh. http://www.tsn.ca/former-bombers-lb-wild-tweets-he-s-signing-with-nfl-s-steelers-1.195864 ***** The Eskimos have released Matt O'Donnell so that he can sign with an NFL team, presumably Cincinnati. http://www.tsn.ca/former-bombers-lb-wild-tweets-he-s-signing-with-nfl-s-steelers-1.195864

I have a pet peeve with the press reporting items which I do not believe meet the New York Times' minimal standard of news which is fit to print. Two weeks ago, the news was that the husband of a woman soccer player was arrested for DUI. I remember a couple of years ago that our local paper reported that a baseball player's brother-in-law (!) was arrested for DUI. Today the news on CNN is that the late Whitney Houston's daughter needed to be taken to the hospital. I believe that these are instances of violation of a person's privacy. Personally, I have a problem with the press reporting on the problems of a "public person" when the problems are irrelevant to the reason the person is "public." But in these cases, the person is not at all public, but merely a relative of a public person. I think that the press is way out of line here. Any thoughts?

FWIW, when I think of West Coast Jazz, I think of... 1) the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker, and 2) the Shorty Rogers Short Stops collection. If a recording doesn't remind me of one or the other, I don't think of it as West Coast Jazz.

I remember back thirty years ago, the Libertarians were objecting to the fact that the number of taxi cab medallions in NYC was fixed in the 1930's. The issue was the number. I don't recall anyone objecting to the government's right to regulate who received a cab license (ie, the prohibition of convicted pimps). As I see it, Uber is (de facto) arranging for anyone to become a cab driver without first clearing the driver. I think that's asking for trouble.

I'll catch up with the week's news later. In the meantime, here is an interview with Jon Ryan on the alumni association's facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/cflaa/posts/10152653740726453

Jim, I'm pretty sure I had that card! That's a 1960!

Rocky Bridges passed away Tuesday at 87. RIP. My favorite story of his was of the time he joined a group of players who toured Japan in the off-season. He said (quote approximate), "We'd beat them, and then two hours later we'd want to go out and beat them again." http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-rocky-bridges-20150131-story.html

Two new Iyer stops. Vijay Iyer Trio on tour: February 19 Eugene, OR The Shedd February 20 Portland, OR Portland Jazz Festival - Winningstad Theater March 7 New York, NY Temple of Dendur- Metropolitan Museum of Art March 26 Albuquerque, NM The Outpost March 27 San Francisco, CA SF Jazz – Miner Auditorium March 28-29 Chicago, IL Constellation April 10-11 Boston, MA Regattabar

The Argos have released John Chiles early so that he can sign an NFL contract, presumably with Chicago. http://cfl.ca/article/chiles-released-set-to-become-a-free-agent http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-release-rb-chiles-expected-to-sign-with-nfl-s-bears-1.192864 ***** It looks like Duron Carter will sign with Indianapolis. http://www.tsn.ca/report-former-alouettes-wr-carter-close-to-deal-with-colts-1.193153

Tommy Mason has died. RIP. He was the last football star Tulane ever had, that I know of. http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/01/22/vikings-first-draft-pick-mason-dies/?intcmp=trending

I'm afraid of Judy Tenuta.

Here are a couple of unusual items coming from the Argos. The Argos have hired Jonathan Himebauch to be their offensive line coach and assistant head coach. I find that odd. "Offensive line coach" doesn't sound very high up on the ladder, but "assistant head coach" sounds very high up. Any ideas? http://cfl.ca/article/himebauch-joins-argonauts-coaching-staff ***** You know how the league is involved with women's issues like domestic violence and breast cancer. Well an Argos season ticket holder last year objected to the team's involvement with a domestic violence program because he felt that that particular program discriminates against men. So the Argos refused to renew his season tickets. So now he has filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. To be continued. http://www.tsn.ca/talent/argos-face-human-rights-complaint-over-alleged-threat-to-cancel-customer-s-season-tickets-1.191884 ***** Here is an article discussing the league's policy regarding custody of game balls, in light of the NFL under-inflated footballs controversy. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-nfl-have-similar-protocol-regarding-inflation-of-their-footballs-1.192185

Alabama announced Saturday that Lane Kiffin will return to Alabama this year as its OC. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/lane-kiffin-returning-to-alabama-in-2015-201632996.html

Comparable to The Great Les Baxer? TTK, I bet that you, of anyone, can tell me who it was who said, "The Les Baxter the better!"

Nowadays, you don't see a trade of a star for a star very often (in any league). So I was surprised to see that the Argos have traded Shea Emry to the Riders for Ricky Foley. http://cfl.ca/article/returning-home-riders-trade-foley-back-to-toronto http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-acquire-star-de-foley-from-roughriders-for-lb-emry-1.190931 ***** New Orleans has signed Delvin Breaux. http://www.tsn.ca/report-former-tiger-cats-cb-breaux-reaches-agreement-with-saints-1.190919

I saw Gene Clark in Atlanta, not too long before he died, I guess in the late '80s. He was touring with a group called The Byrds, but it was just him and four other guys. He sang lead. It was all Byrds songs. I'm glad to have been able to see him, but I can't say that I was all that impressed. There wasn't anything bad about the show; it just wasn't that big a deal.