GA Russell

Anne Sajdera Brings a Renewed Lyrical Perspective to "It's Here," Releasing September 20 on Bijuri Records San Francisco Pianist/Composer's Third Album Meshes a Nuanced Emotional Expression Across an Array of Instrumental Colors and Moods CD Release Shows at Keys Jazz Bistro, San Francisco, Sun 10/6 & Mr. Tipple's, San Francisco, Fri 11/8   August 13, 2024 Pianist/composer Anne Sajdera takes an introspective turn on It’s Here, her third album, set to be released September 20 on Bijuri Records. The recording features five originals and three covers that juxtapose wistfulness for the past with an embrace of the present, on which the Bay Area–based Sajdera works with a wide-ranging assemblage of musicians whose core comprises bassist Gary Brown and drummer Deszon Claiborne. The title It’s Here comes from the revelation Sajdera experienced after writing the eponymous track, then trying to determine what it was about. “It was that feeling I get when I look at old photos or mementos, and for a split second you think you don’t have that moment anymore,” she says. “But then you realize it’s right here, if you look for it.” The feeling of that realization is unmistakable across “It’s Here,” from Sajdera’s winsome melody to the gorgeous solos by Sajdera, trumpeter Mike Olmos, and alto saxophonist Jesse Levit. Yet it also recurs, if in altered forms, throughout the album, from the genial post-bop take on “Stella by Starlight” to the affecting solo piano closer “Just Starlight.” Which is not to say that the record is confined to any single mood or color. The Slovakian folk song “Ach Anička” (featuring two Czech guest musicians, trumpeter Miroslav Houcal and alto saxophonist Jan Fečo, who also animated her 2018 album New Year) and the Sajdera original “Bounce” both express upbeat joy with hard-driving swing and funk, respectively. “Three Color Study,” another solo piano piece, molds its fraught emotions to an expressive but angular melodic path, while the aptly titled “Lovely” is swathed in rich orchestration with players Rita Thies (flute) and Joyce Lee (violin) augmenting the ensemble, expressionistic solos by Olmos (trumpet) and Levit (alto saxophone), and perhaps a hint of the Brazilian music Sajdera so exquisitely drew on for her debut, 2012’s Azul. If there are common elements, however, It’s Here is nonetheless a step forward for Sajdera. She remains a resolutely forward-looking pianist and composer, and this album finds her showing a more ruminative side without diminishing the style that had helped her establish her luminescent musical career. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia on November 5, 1965, Anne Sajdera was a “Navy brat,” largely growing up in the busy fleet center of San Diego, California. Her maternal grandfather was a professional musician in the Chicago area up until the 1940s, and even though he passed away when she was quite young, his love of music left an imprint on the family and inspired her grandmother to make sure Anne received piano lessons. She maintained a steady diet of Chopin waltzes, Bach inventions, and Beethoven sonatas in her piano studies, but at the age of 13 became intrigued by Chick Corea’s My Spanish Heart. Adolescent explorations into other kinds of music helped her to find a tight circle of musical friends who often gathered to play and perform together. After relocating to the Bay Area in 1985, she auditioned at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and was accepted as a piano performance major, studying under Peggy Salkind, and then switching to a composition major at the end of her sophomore year, studying under Elinor Armer. Sajdera’s investigation of jazz picked up pace while still at the Conservatory, listening daily to Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, and finally taking flight when she began a relationship with an accomplished jazz guitarist, with whom she was soon playing casuals. A class at Berkeley’s Jazzschool with the great Brazilian pianist/composer Marcos Silva sparked her enduring passion for Brazilian music. Before long she was gigging around the Bay Area with her own band Pelo Mar, and as an original member of Bat Makumba. Her debut album, 2012’s Azul, also reflects this deep and abiding passion, mixing her ravishing original pieces with classic tunes by the Brazilian masters. It received a place on one of Jazziz magazine’s 2012 Critics Polls and was named one of Latin Jazz Corner’s Great Latin Jazz Albums. The long-awaited follow-up, 2018’s New Year, took on a more straight-ahead postbop aesthetic and won Sajdera another round of critical acclaim. The six-year gap between New Year and It’s Here was, of course, necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic (which pre-empted Sajdera’s initial plan to record her third album in 2020). Yet it was also the pandemic that inspired the state of thoughtful reflection that gives her third album its essential character of fond remembrance and hopeful outlook. Anne Sajdera will perform a CD release show, in two sets (5:00 & 7:00pm), at Keys Jazz Bistro in San Francisco on Sunday 10/6, and a CD release/birthday show, in two sets (6:00 & 7:30pm), at Mr. Tipple’s, San Francisco on Friday 11/8. Photography: Fifi Larue    EPK: Anne Sajdera "It's Here"  Anne Sajdera Web Site  

August 13 George Shearing - 1919 Benny Bailey - 1925 Joe Puma - 1927 Don Ho - 1930 Dave "Baby" Cortez - 1938 Son Seals - 1942 Kathleen Battle - 1948 Dan Fogelberg - 1951 Mulgrew Miller - 1955 ***** William Caxton - 1422

Nathan Rourke has signed with BC. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/13/homecoming-nathan-rourke-signs-with-bc-lions/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/nathan-rourke-cfl-return-bc-lions-nfl-1.7293267 https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/nathan-rourke-signs-with-b-c-lions-returning-to-cfl-after-nfl-stint-1.2161688 https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/rourke-returns-canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-signs-with-bc-lions/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/13/hes-back-nathan-rourke-returns-to-b-c-lions/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/13/canadian-nathan-rourke-blows-up-cfl-qb-market-with-b-c-lions-contract-following-nfl-stint/ ***** Rick Campbell says that he intendeds to keep Vernon Adams. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-head-coach-rick-campbell-vernon-adams-jr-will-not-be-traded-1.2161694 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/13/rick-campbell-vernon-adams-jr-will-not-be-traded-despite-addition-of-nathan-rourke/ ***** Power Rankings https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/13/amsoil-power-rankings-how-the-turn-tables/ ***** Week 11 picks https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/13/weekly-predictor-elks-to-keep-rolling/ ***** The Elks will be sold to local businessman Larry Thompson. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/longtime-season-ticket-holder-larry-thompson-to-take-over-as-elks-owner-1.2161698 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/13/edmonton-elks-to-be-sold-to-local-business-man-larry-thompson-report/ ***** Peter Dyakowski has agreed to become the Interim Executive Director of the union. https://3downnation.com/2024/08/13/cflpa-appoints-former-ol-peter-dyakowski-as-interim-executive-director/

August 12 Percy Mayfield - 1920 Joe Jones - 1926 Porter Wagoner - 1927 Buck Owens - 1927 Charlie O'Donnell - 1932 Mark Knopfler - 1949 Kid Creole - 1950 Pat Metheny - 1954

Edmonton 33....BC 16 The absence of Adams lowered the Lions to the Elks' level. Tre Ford got hurt in the second quarter, and MBT came in and did well. So now the Elks have a winning streak! This was their first win at home since last year's Labor Day rematch. The Lions have now lost three in a row. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/11/recap-edmonton-33-bc-16/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/11/elks-overcome-injuries-beat-lions-for-second-straight-win/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/surging-elks-dump-lions-for-second-straight-win-1.2161231 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/12/edmonton-elks-win-over-b-c-lions-but-lose-tre-ford-seven-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/12/b-c-lions-fall-like-water-off-an-elks-back-for-third-consecutive-loss-10-other-thoughts/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-scores-today-edmonton-elks-33-bc-lions-16-elks-dominate-at-home/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/edmonton-elks-tre-ford-exits-game-vs-bc-lions-1.2161206 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/11/edmonton-elks-qb-tre-ford-leaves-win-over-lions-does-not-return/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/11/3-stats-that-defined-edmontons-win-over-bc-in-week-10/ ***** Week 10 Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/12/cfl-plays-of-the-week-week-10-2024/ ***** My pick for Play of the Week is this catch by Reggie Begelton. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/12/reggie-begelton-cfl-data-enhanced/ ***** Power Rankings https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-power-rankings-week-11/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/12/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-b-c-lions-plummet-amid-three-game-losing-skid/ ***** Week 10 review https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/12/landrys-5-takeaways-from-week-10-3/ ***** Season review https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/12/mmqb-5-midway-point-observations/ ***** It looks like Trevor Harris will be back for the Riders this week. https://3downnation.com/2024/08/12/trevor-harris-full-participant-in-practice-with-saskatchewan-roughriders/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-qb-trevor-harris-taking-starting-reps-as-key-clash-with-als-looms-1.2161388

Thanks K!

Thanks, Jim. Good idea to go to Discogs for some help.

OK, so if it was 1963, Riverside hadn't gone broke yet, right?

Montreal 33...Hamilton 23 Not really an interesting game, as the Als were completely in charge from start to finish. However, it was interesting to see both Powell and Alexander do pretty well, considering that they are both still raw. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/10/recap-montreal-33-hamilton-23/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/10/alexander-scores-twice-as-als-complete-back-to-back-wins-over-ticats/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/montreal-alouettes-capitalize-on-hamilton-tiger-cats-sloppiness-in-victory-1.2160910 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/11/alouettes-dominate-the-tiger-cats-for-second-time-secure-best-start-in-20-years-seven-other-thoughts/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/10/3-stats-that-defined-the-alouettes-win-over-the-ticats-in-week-10/ ***** Scott Milanovich has announced that Powell will start for the Ticats next week. https://3downnation.com/2024/08/11/ticats-name-taylor-powell-starting-qb-after-bo-levi-mitchell-benched-early-in-loss-to-als/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/powell-replaces-mitchell-behind-centre-for-ticats-1.2160882 ***** Bob Dyce has announced that Jeremiah Masoli will start for the Redblacks next week. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/11/jeremiah-masoli-to-start-for-redblacks-in-week-11/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/11/jeremiah-masoli-takes-redblacks-first-team-qb-reps-following-dru-browns-injury-report/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-qb-jeremiah-masoli-to-start-against-calgary-stampeders-in-week-11-1.2161102 ***** BC - Edmonton preview https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/green-gold-game-day-preview-looking-to-seize-another-win/

As I recall Keepnews' version of the story, Riverside went broke after (and because) Grauer died. Grauer kept the company afloat with creative bookkeeping. I've always read that Cannonball purchased the rights, etc., from Riverside. I don't know if Cannonball moved to Capitol before or after Riverside collapsed. I think (here we go!) that the last Riverside issue was a Charlie Byrd album (I think Guitar Artistry) which I think was recorded in '64 and released in early '65. Does this sound right?

Thanks, soulpope. Do you know which of the Atlantic releases were recorded before the A&M deal? My recollection is that The Beat of Brazil was the last one released in the US, but I suspect that it was one of the oldest of the bunch. I could be wrong.

August 11 Mike Hugg - 1942 Denny Payton - 1943 Kenny Gamble - 1943 Eric Carmen - 1949 Joe Jackson - 1954

Two LPs on one CD Sergio Mendes on Atlantic The Swinger from Rio The Beat of Brazil Sometime I would like to learn about the Mendes situation regarding Atlantic. He signed with Atlantic, and recorded Brasil '65 Live at El Matador. He then signed with A&M and recorded a string of Brasil '66 albums. Meanwhile, he continued to have albums released by Atlantic. It wasn't clear to me when those Atlantic albums were recorded. I suspect that The Beat of Brazil was done before El Matador. Anybody know? Anybody know why Atlantic allowed him to sign with A&M?

RIP, John Kelman! He was my favorite reviewer at AAJ, back in the day. I suppose he and I shared similar tastes.

Toronto 39....Calgary 25 Fun game. Both Arbuckle and Maier looked sharp. In the rematch, this time it was the Argos to win it with a strong fourth quarter, mostly by handing off to Carey. Calgary is now 4-5, undefeated at home, and winless on the road. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/09/recap-toronto-39-calgary-25/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/09/argonauts-win-at-home-in-rematch-with-stampeders/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/dashaun-amos-janarion-grant-score-key-tds-to-rally-toronto-argonauts-past-calgary-stampeders-1.2160567 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/10/three-phase-scoring-attack-leads-argos-over-stamps-10-other-thoughts/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-scores-today-calgary-stampeders-25-toronto-argonauts-39-argos-rally-in-second-half-to-down-stamps/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/09/3-stats-that-defined-torontos-week-10-win-over-calgary/ ***** Montreal - Hamilton previews https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/montreal-alouettes-7-1-week-10-preview-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats-2-6-prediction-depth-chart-injuries-odds/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-games-today-august-10-2024-montreal-alouettes-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats-tv-channels-odds/ ***** BC - Edmonton preview https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bc-lions-5-3-week-10-preview-vs-edmonton-elks-1-7-prediction-depth-chart-injuries-odds/ Both of the Elks' fullbacks have been placed on the six-game injured list. https://3downnation.com/2024/08/10/elks-lose-all-their-fullbacks-to-six-game-injured-list/

A Skye compilation. Mastered for CD by Steve Hoffman.

August 10 Claude Thornhill - 1909 Leo Fender - 1909 Arnett Cobb - 1918 Eddie Fisher - 1928 Jimmy Dean - 1928 Trudy Pitts - 1932 Chuck Israels - 1936 Bobby Hatfield - 1940 Michael Mantler - 1943 Ronnie Spector - 1943 Ian Anderson - 1947 Patti Austin - 1950 Charlie Peacock - 1956

Yes. My personal opinion is that if a tie is acceptable (which I think it is), then the game should end with the completion of the second half. If they insist on overtime, they should play till somebody wins. Lots of chatter on X/Twitter about the Command Centre today!

Sask 22....Ottawa 22 Crazy low-scoring game played in the rain. Fans of both teams were angry because of calls made by the Command Centre. Dru Brown got hurt. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/recap-saskatchewan-22-ottawa-22/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/roughriders-and-redblacks-ends-in-tie-after-dramatic-overtime/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/roughriders-redblacks-end-in-tie-after-late-game-back-and-forth-1.2160137 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/09/things-get-nutty-as-redblacks-tie-riders-14-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/08/cfl-command-centre-rules-roughing-the-passer-after-riders-recover-supposed-game-winning-fumble-in-ot/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/command-center-strikes-forces-tie-for-riders-redblacks/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/the-command-center-remains-consistently-inconsistent/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/09/3-stats-that-defined-saskatchewans-week-10-tie-with-ottawa/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/08/redblacks-qb-dru-brown-exits-game-with-leg-injury-will-not-return/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/injury-to-redblacks-qb-dru-brown-not-believed-to-be-serious-1.2160091 https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-to-look-into-bob-dyce-s-exchange-with-apparent-fan-1.2160232 https://3downnation.com/2024/08/09/redblacks-head-coach-bob-dyce-involved-in-sideline-altercation-after-unidentified-individual-harasses-players/ ***** Calgary - Toronto previews https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/toronto-argonauts-looking-to-even-home-and-home-series-with-calgary-stampeders-1.2159950 https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/09/3-matchups-to-watch-on-friday-night-football-7/ ***** Hamilton - Montreal previews https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/qb-davis-alexander-to-get-second-start-for-montreal-alouettes-in-week-10-1.2160360 https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/09/ticats-visit-alouettes-in-second-straight-meeting/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/09/qb-davis-alexander-lands-second-start-for-alouettes-with-cody-fajardo-still-limited/ *****

August 9 Jack DeJohnette - 1942 Whitney Houston - 1963 ***** Bob Cousy - 1928

Week 10 picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2024/08/08/cfl-beat-216/ https://rodpedersen.com/week-10-cfl-picks-2024/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-picks-week-10/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/predictions-cfl-news-hub-writers-week-10-picks/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/08/3downnation-cfl-picks-bc-lions-without-adams/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/from-the-editors-desk-its-not-over-til-its-over/ ***** 8/8 Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/cfl-ca-game-notes-wild-wild-west/ ***** Sask - Ottawa previews https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/ottawa-redblacks/redblacks-vs-roughriders-battle-of-5-win-teams/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/cauz-6-burning-questions-for-riders-at-redblacks/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-aim-to-keep-rolling-against-visiting-saskatchewan-roughriders-1.2159532 https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/game-day-riders-head-to-ottawa-have-depth-tested-against-redblacks/ https://www.tsn.ca/edge/betting/morning-coffee-riders-at-a-crossroads-entering-week-10-of-cfl-season-1.2159797 ***** Calgary - Toronto previews https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/arbuckle-to-start-for-argos-vs-stamps-dukes-game-time-decision/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/08/stamps-argos-meet-for-second-half-of-home-and-home/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/08/argos-to-start-qb-nick-arbuckle-for-rematch-with-stamps-cameron-dukes-a-game-time-decision/ https://3downnation.com/2024/08/08/stamps-dress-single-running-back-no-fullbacks-for-rematch-with-argos/ ***** BC - Edmonton preview https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/jake-dolegala-to-start-for-lions-in-game-against-edmonton-elks-1.2159435 ***** The players union's Executive Director Brian Ramsey will leave at the end of September. The current labor agreement is a seven-year deal which started in 2022. https://3downnation.com/2024/08/08/cflpa-executive-director-brian-ramsay-stepping-down-to-pursue-other-opportunities/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/cflpa-executive-director-brian-ramsay-to-leave-union-by-end-of-next-month-1.2159979