GA Russell

The Grey Cup contest is now up. Go play!

It's that time of year again! It's time for the annual Grey Cup contest. Past winners have included Noj (twice), indestructible, Bright Moments, brownie, paul secor, Soulstation1, danasgoodstuff, B. Clugston (twice), ejp626 (twice), BFrank (twice), kh1958 and Big Al. ***** The rules: 1) Pick the winning team. 2) Pick the number of total points scored by both teams (aka the tiebreaker). Since approximately half of us will pick the winning team, picking the total points is necessary to win the contest. Your total points prediction must be a number which is a multiple of five (5). The winning tiebreaker will be the one closest to the correct answer. If two are equally close, the winner will be the lower pick. If two people pick the same thing, the first to make the pick will be the winner. ***** The prize: 1) If you live in the US, your prize will be a surprise package of jazz CDs or books! 2) If you live in Canada, your prize will be a book about the Canadian league! 3) If you live anywhere else, your prize will be a $20 Amazon gift card! ***** The contest deadline: Sunday Nov. 19, 6:00 pm eastern ***** The Grey Cup Final: The Grey Cup is awarded to the world champion of what I think is the greatest game in the world, Canadian rules football. That is to say, the champion of the Canadian Football League. The Grey Cup was first awarded in 1909. They have played for it every year since then, except three years because of World War One and 2020 because of the covid virus. Therefore, this year's game will be the 110th Grey Cup Final. Fans from throughout Canada will attend the game in Hamilton, Ontario. The game is sold out. The weather is forecast to be sunny with a high of 41 F, which is quite mild for November. This year's game will see the Eastern champion Montreal Alouettes face the Western champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This will be the first time these two teams have met in the Grey Cup Final. Winnipeg has been the powerhouse of the league since 2019. They won the Grey Cup in 2019 and 2021. They were consistently good this year, but battled with the Vancouver, BC Lions all year for first place in the West. They finished 14-4. The Bombers' quarterback is Zach Collaros, who will set a record by being the only quarterback to start four consecutive Grey Cup Finals. (Collaros's college roommate was Travis Kelce, who is currently making headlines by dating Taylor Swift.) Montreal had a unique year, to say the least. One year ago, the company was in disarray. The owner had died, and the heirs sued the estate to get rid of the team and disburse the assets. As a result, free agents didn't sign with them. Nobody knew what the future might hold, or what the budget might be. Last year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders had a bad year, so they let go their offensive coordinator Jason Maas and their starting quarterback Cody Fajardo. Maas was then hired to be Montreal's head coach. The Als lost their starting quarterback Trevor Harris in free agency to the Roughriders. So they signed Fajardo because nobody else was willing to join the team. Because of these issues, all of the pundits (in their pre-season analyses) picked the Als to be the league's worst team. But lo and behold! The Als finished 11-7, with the league's fourth-best record. And here is the crazy part: They went undefeated against the five teams below them in the standings, and winless against the three teams that were better. The Als shocked everyone by clobbering the Toronto Argonauts Saturday to win the Eastern championship. Their defense has been their strong point, and late in the season they signed two free agents (Lemon and Sankey) who made their defense even better. Hamilton is an eastern city, sharing the airport with Toronto, and I expect most of the fans present to root for Montreal (another eastern city). Besides, the Als are a Cinderella story, and people are getting tired of the Bombers winning so much. Today the Bombers are 7.5 point favorites. You can watch the news unfold on the CFL thread. ***** The game will be carried live worldwide (except in Canada) for free on the league's website, cfl.ca, starting at 6:00 pm eastern Sunday. https://www.cfl.ca/plus You can listen to the game here: http://www.tsn.ca/radio (To listen to the game, you will need Windows Media Player which you can download for free. So you might want to plan ahead if you don't already have it.) ***** Good luck everyone! ***** Here's my pick: I expect the Bombers to blow them out. Saturday was the first time all year that the Als beat a team which finished with an over-.500 record. And I think that Saturday's game was the one glorious moment of the Als' season. Sunday they will revert to the mean. Nevertheless, I've got to root for Montreal. MONTREAL - 50

Finals Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/12/making-moves-in-the-timbermart-plays-of-the-week/ ***** more Finals reports https://3downnation.com/2023/11/11/chad-kelly-stumbles-at-the-worst-time-12-thoughts-on-torontos-playoff-loss-to-montreal/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/11/alouettes-defence-stuns-argos-to-earn-first-grey-cup-berth-in-13-years-six-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/12/opinion-alouettes-east-final-win-nowhere-near-biggest-upset-in-cfl-history/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/12/this-loss-is-on-me-chad-kelly-takes-full-responsibility-for-16-2-argos-losing-east-final/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/chad-kelly-thanks-argos-fans-for-support-promises-better-results-following-playoff-exit/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/alouettes-argos-ratings-jump-43-percent-as-cfl-sees-overall-rise-for-divisional-finals/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/landrys-5-takeaways-from-division-finals/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/12/b-c-lions-offence-still-hung-up-on-winnipeg-nine-thoughts-on-losing-the-west-final/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/opinion-b-c-lions-made-playoff-fools-by-unbalanced-offensive-attack/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/oleary-bombers-send-message-in-wf-win/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bombers-beat-bc-headed-back-to-the-grey-cup-game-ball-jock/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-result-winnipeg-blue-bombers-24-bc-lions-13-blue-bombers-secure-fourth-consecutive-grey-cup-appearance/ ***** The Grey Cup Final is sold out. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/110th-grey-cup-at-tim-hortons-field-in-hamilton-officially-sold-out/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/tiger-cats-announce-110th-grey-cup-is-sold-out/ ***** Grey Cup previews https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/blue-bombers-alouettes-grey-cup-preview-hamilton-1.7027178 https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/blue-bombers-not-surprised-to-meet-upset-specialists-montreal-alouettes-in-grey-cup/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/fit-check-winnipeg-blue-bombers-montreal-alouettes-set-uniforms-for-110th-grey-cup/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/winnipeg-blue-bombers-open-as-7-5-point-grey-cup-favourites-over-montreal-alouettes/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/12/blue-bombers-and-alouettes-set-for-first-ever-grey-cup-meeting/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/mmqb-grey-cup-qb-stories-write-themselves/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/ferguson-pivots-bring-contrasts-to-gc-matchup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/110th-grey-cup-built-for-this/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/four-storylines-to-watch-in-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/welcome-to-the-110th-grey-cup-the-trophy-arrives-in-hamilton/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/head-to-head-who-has-the-edge-in-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-open-as-grey-cup-favourite-over-montreal-alouettes-1.2035087 https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-adam-bighill-leaves-ig-field-on-crutches-1.2034589 https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/former-riders-qbs-headline-grey-cup/ ***** BC's upcoming free agents https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/the-b-c-lions-potential-2024-free-agent-list/

An Irishman goes to a building site in London, and asks the foreman if he can have a job. “Are you Irish?” said the foreman. “Well sor, that I am”, replied the Irishman. “Well”, said the foreman, ”I don’t want any more Irish on this site, because they don’t know nuffink. Last week we have one here who didn’t even know the difference between a girder and a joist. Can you tell me the difference between girder and joist?” The Irishman thought for a little while, and then replied, “Well sor, I tink that Joyce wrote Ulysses and Goethe wrote Faust.”

Finals results Montreal 38....Toronto 17 Shocker! The Als' defense (in their 1962 Boston Patriots jerseys) dominated the entire game. For the first time all year, Montreal beat one of the three teams better than them. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/2023-ef-recap-montreal-38-toronto-17/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/costabile-my-favourite-defensive-moments-of-the-eastern-final/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/dominant-defence-als-punch-ticket-to-gc110-with-win-over-argos/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/chance-to-be-great-three-phase-football-sends-als-to-gc110/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/argos-historical-season-ends-with-ef-loss-to-alouettes/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/11/montreal-alouettes-stun-record-setting-toronto-argonauts-in-east-final-upset/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-result-montreal-alouettes-38-toronto-argonauts-17-montreals-defense-dominates-to-secure-grey-cup-berth/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/toronto-argonauts-montreal-alouettes-recap-nov-11-1.7026331 ***** Winnipeg 24....BC 13 The Lions made a game of it, but the Bombers were the better team from start to finish. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/2023-wf-recap-winnipeg-24-bc-13/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/defensive-clinic-leads-bombers-to-fourth-straight-gc-game/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/home-sweet-home-bombers-continue-playoff-dominance-at-ig-field/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/11/lions-lose-second-straight-western-final-in-winnipeg/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/11/blue-bombers-bruise-their-way-to-fourth-straight-grey-cup-with-west-final-win-13-other-thoughts/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions-winnipeg-blue-bombers-recap-nov-11-1.7026332 ***** And so... This will be the first time Montreal and Winnipeg meet in the Grey Cup Final. Zach Collaros will be the first quarterback to start in four consecutive Grey Cup Finals. The Als' defense was led by two free agents they signed late in the season - Shawn Lemon and Darnell Sankey. I plan to post the Grey Cup Contest tomorrow. Be sure to play!

Finals picks https://3downnation.com/2023/11/10/3downnation-cfl-picks-will-favourites-fall-flat-in-division-finals/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-picks-cfl-division-finals/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-2023-montreal-alouettes-toronto-argonauts-eastern-final-preview-prediction/ ***** Finals previews https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/09/steinberg-6-things-to-keep-an-eye-on-for-division-finals/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/10/nye-defence-to-lead-the-charge-for-als-in-eastern-final/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/10/best-of-the-east-argos-als-battle-for-grey-cup-berth/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/10/costabile-pickett-argos-defence-ready-for-ef-battle-with-als/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/09/ferguson-division-finals-feature-intriguing-quarterback-matchups/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/10/unfinished-business-lions-bombers-face-off-in-western-final/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-playoffs-2023-division-finals-set-for-argonauts-alouettes-blue-bombers-lions-clash/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-expect-slugfest-with-visiting-bc-lions-in-west-division-final-1.2034060 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-newsletter-playoff-football-canada-cfl-usports-1.7024276 ***** Pro Football Focus, an American stats analyzing company, has named Chad Kelly the league's best player in 2023. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/pro-football-focus-names-toronto-argonauts-quarterback-kelly-as-cfl-s-top-player-1.2033379 ***** This thread's current view count is 227,100, which is an increase of 700 over the past seven days!

Finals picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2023/11/09/cfl-beat-201/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/09/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-division-finals-picks/ ***** Finals Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/09/cfl-ca-game-notes-a-look-at-division-finals/ ***** The guys at 3DownNation have picked their own all-star team. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/09/3downnations-2023-cfl-all-stars/ ***** June Jones will not return to the XFL next year. He would like to return to the CFL.

FWIW, I listen to The Nightfly much more often than any Steely Dan album. Among them, I listen to Aja the most.

The league announced the 2023 All-Star team today. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/08/stars-of-the-show-2023-cfl-all-stars-fan-favourite-unveiled/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/08/chad-kelly-mathieu-betts-highlight-2023-cfl-all-stars/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/quarterback-kelly-one-of-eight-argos-named-to-cfl-all-star-squad-1.2032889 https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-all-star-team-2023-standout-players-fresh-faces-shine/ ***** Finals picks https://rodpedersen.com/2023-cfl-division-final-picks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/08/weekly-predictor-wholl-be-the-last-two-standing/ ***** 11/8 Checking Down https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/08/checking-down-schoen-misses-practice-on-tuesday/

Finals Previews https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/06/head-to-head-who-has-the-edge-in-the-eastern-final-3/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/07/3-storylines-to-watch-in-the-eastern-final-2/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/07/3-stats-that-could-loom-large-in-the-eastern-final/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/06/head-to-head-who-has-the-edge-in-the-western-final-3/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/07/3-storylines-to-watch-in-the-western-final-2/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/07/3-stats-that-could-loom-large-in-the-western-final/ ***** Hamilton's upcoming free agents https://3downnation.com/2023/11/07/the-hamilton-tiger-cats-potential-2024-free-agent-list/

TOBIN MUELLER Toyland Fantasy Impacting November 13th, 2023 Format(s): Jazz, Non-Commercial, NPR TOBIN MUELLER’s “Toyland Fantasy” is a beautiful synth-driven tribute to the Holidays, combining several carols into an all-new epic audio experience. The recording is a perfect way to get into the Christmas mood, crossing rock, jazz, fusion, and holiday genres. The music has a Mannheim Steamroller feel, with a bit of Yes, ELP and Herbie Hancock thrown in. Prog organ, fusion Moog, layers of electric keyboards and guitar combine the timeless melodies of “Toyland,” “Carol of the Bells,” “She Moved Through the Fair” and “Auld Lang Syne” into a breathtaking medley. Suitable for November through to the New Year, “Toyland Fantasy” is the final track from Best of Tobin Mueller, Vol. 3: Prog Fusion. Produced by Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studio. Thoughts on Best Of Tobin Mueller Vol. 3 "A masterpiece in the Epic Prog tradition.” - Progressive Magazine "Twenty-Two tracks redefining what prog is, what it might be… ironically leaving it less defined than ever due to the album’s sheer adventurousness and exploratory nature. You are left with a masterful array of music that takes you on unexpected journeys to the heart, to the nature of possibility and potential. An album forged of classical grace and rock groove. Pop accessibility and jazz complexity. A truly post-genre suite of music!" - Dave Franklin, Dancing About Architecture music blog "The compilation is a symphonic whirlwind of prog passion! Led by the massive keyboards of Tobin Mueller, dense harmonies and contributions from the likes of Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche) and guitarist Bob Piper (Pleaides), this is a true combination of energy and poetry. The music flows from idea to idea like birds winging from tree to tree. You will return to this collection time and time again.” - Brian Gerhart, The Progressive Ear www.TobinMueller.com

Jerry Bergonzi Extra Extra Impacting November 6th, 2023 Format(s): Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Jerry Bergonzi - Loudzee 06:28 2. Jerry Bergonzi - Extra Extra 05:50 3. Jerry Bergonzi - Double Billed 07:52 4. Jerry Bergonzi - Czech Mate 05:25 5. Jerry Bergonzi - The Truth 06:28 6. Jerry Bergonzi - Obama 06:06 7. Jerry Bergonzi - Separated 07:05 8. Jerry Bergonzi - They Knew 04:48 New from Tenor Sax Titan Jerry Bergonzi on Savant Records JERRY BERGONZI - Extra Extra Savant Records SCD 2212 Jerry Bergonzi - Tenor Saxophone Sheryl Bailey - Guitar Phil Grenadier - Trumpet (tracks 1, 4 & 😎 Harvie S - Bass Luther Gray - Drums Suggested Tracks 1. Loudzee (6:28) 2. Extra Extra (5:50) 4. Czech Mate (5:25) 6. Obama (6:06) 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 Savant Col... Jerry Berg... JD Allen THIS Impacting November 6th, 2023 Format(s): Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. JD Allen - This 06:02 2. JD Allen - The Revelator 04:41 3. JD Allen - Know Dogs Allowed 04:59 4. JD Allen - Boom-Bap 03:41 5. JD Allen - Beeyondsay 05:03 6. JD Allen - Mx. Fairweather 07:13 7. JD Allen - The Knight of Swords 05:26 8. JD Allen - See it, Say it, Sorted 05:04 New from Savant Records JD Allen - THIS Savant Records SCD 2209 JD Allen - tenor saxophone Gwilym Jones - drums Alex Bonney - electronics Suggested Tracks 2. The Revelator (4:41) 4. Boom-Bap (3:40) 5. Beeyondsay (5:02) Electronic music was once thought of as subversively avant-garde. But jazz soon took the modernism of electronics down a less self-destructive and more communicative road. Saxophonist and composer JD Allen explores the possibilities of electronics+jazz with new works that exhibit a wide musical spectrum. Here you may find modal, blues-infused melodies juxtaposed against startling and provocative electronic effects. There can be a slim line between being a traditionalist troglodyte and being a radical visionary. On his latest recording, JD Allen has demonstrated that there is a musically satisfying and emotionally fulfilling middle ground. 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 2209 J... Savant Col...

Semi-Finals results Montreal 27....Hamilton 12 The Ticats' offense never got it going. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/04/2023-esf-recap-montreal-27-hamilton-12/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/04/out-like-a-lamb-nine-thoughts-on-hamiltons-27-12-loss-to-montreal-in-the-east-semi-final/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/04/a-signature-alouette-performance-leads-the-team-to-the-east-final-five-thoughts-on-the-montreal-win/ ***** BC 41....Calgary 30 Adams scored five touchdowns! https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/04/wsf-recap-bc-41-calgary-30/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/04/adams-jr-scores-five-touchdowns-in-first-career-playoff-victory/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/05/vernon-adams-jr-gets-out-of-his-head-plays-out-of-his-mind-11-thoughts-on-the-b-c-lions-victory-in-the-west-semi-final/ ***** Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/06/big-stage-plays-in-the-timbermart-plays-of-the-week/ ***** Bo Levi Mitchell does not expect to be playing for Hamilton next year. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/04/bo-levi-mitchell-on-future-with-hamilton-tiger-cats-i-dont-foresee-myself-being-here/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bo-levi-mitchell-ponders-future-with-tiger-cats-after-east-semifinal-loss-to-alouettes-1.2031056 https://3downnation.com/2023/11/06/orlondo-steinauer-addresses-bo-levi-mitchells-comments-regarding-future-with-hamilton-tiger-cats/ ***** Calgary's upcoming free agents https://3downnation.com/2023/11/06/the-calgary-stampeders-potential-2024-free-agent-list/ ***** Here is a discussion of Montreal's obtaining first downs via the onside kick. https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/alouettes-strategic-onside-punt-play-sparks-cfl-rulebook-discussions/

Ubuntu Music Presents Silvan Joray featuring Nadav Erlich & Jeff Ballard Updraft Silvan Joray - guitar and compositions Nadav Erlich - double bass Jeff Ballard - drums CD RELEASE EVENT WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 8.30 PM Please note: different personnel Silvan Joray (guitar) Noah Garabedian (bass) Jay Sawyer (drums) Threes Brewing Gowanus 333 Douglas St., Brooklyn, NY https://threesbrewing.com/pages/gowanus   New York City-based guitarist and composer Silvan Joray is proud to present Updraft, his second album as a leader and first for the Ubuntu Music label. The album showcases his forward-thinking original style characterized by a transparent tone, crispy articulation, creative rhythmic ideas and extended techniques like quarter tones and „tapping“ which are not traditionally associated with jazz guitar playing. A follow up to his ambitious 2020 trio album, Cluster, Joray’s latest outing features once again Israeli double bass player Nadav Erlich and this time, living legend Jeff Ballard (Brad Mehldau, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny) on drums. Born and raised in Switzerland, Joray embraces both the openness of European as well as the rootedness and swing of American jazz. While the music on Updraft is clearly influenced by the American jazz tradition, it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not and is totally content with being in its own category. Renowned jazz bassist Larry Grenadier states: “Silvan along with Nadav and Jeff have made a musical statement together that has at its core a sense of history and at the same time moves the music towards the future with bold playing and fresh compositions. Sonically beautiful and captivating music.“ Ballard, Joray, Erlich © Victor Hege The recording includes seven original compositions and two short, freely improvised tracks. The serenity of joyful straight eighth grooves, as heard in “Kokodrillo“ or “Kaeppeleview“, complements the swinging energy of pieces like “Updraft" and “Kurtish". Joray is also passionate about playing jazz standards and pays tribute to two masters of the genre, Cole Porter and Andrew Hill, with "At Long Last Love" and “Subterfuge“. Starting in September 2020, the trio had the chance to refine its band sound and interplay over the course of two years before going into the studio. At the same time, humanity faced some new challenges that heavily impacted everyone’s life. Updraft is Joray’s personal way of dealing with these difficult times and presents a collection of compositions that strive to lift our spirits and elevate our perspectives. The title of the album beautifully encapsulates this sentiment, and Joray’s innate gift for melody and lyricism shines through both in his playing and compositions. TRACKS 1. Kokodrillo 7:09 2. Kaeppeleview 6:33 3. Updraft 6:39 4. Morning Breeze 0:34 5. Very Sweet Stuff, But Nice! 5:43 6. Subterfuge 5:50 7. The Liar 4:56 8. Kurtish 5:01 9. Something Ahead 4:31 10. Evening Breeze 1:00 11. At Long Last Love 6:25 All compositions written by Silvan Joray except for tracks 4 and 10 (improvised) Track 6 (Andrew Hill) and track 11 (Cole Porter) Produced by Silvan Joray Co-produced by Roman Hošek (SRF2 Kultur) Executive Producer: Martin Hummel Recorded by Daniel Dettwiler at Idee und Klang Studio Basel on June 11 and 12, 2022 Second engineer, tracking and editing by Josua Dillier Mixed and mastered by Daniel Dettwiler at Idee und Klang Studio Himmelried. Front cover photo: George Korunov Designed by Rumney Design ABOUT SILVAN JORAY Silvan Joray is currently based in New York City. He has gained recognition in the jazz community, having won special prizes at the UNISA International Strings Competition in South Africa 2022 and the Smietana Jazz Guitar Competition 2019 in Poland. He has performed at prestigious jazz festivals including the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival, Offbeat Jazzfestival Basel, and International Jazz Festival Bern, and has toured in Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Israel. Silvan will be touring throughout the year – please see his website for details: www.silvanjoray.com ABOUT UBUNTU MUSIC Ubuntu Music, a division of Ubuntu Management Group, is a progressive recorded music label that is committed to bringing quality, accessible jazz and related music genres to increasingly wider audiences. Their approach includes collaborative efforts with an array of performing artists who have a passion for jazz and who possess unique and diversified talents. www.weareubuntumusic.com

John Basile Silent Night Impacting November 3rd, 2023 Format(s): Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. John Basile - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 03:36 2. John Basile - Baby It's Cold Outside 04:49 3. John Basile - Lulladay 03:38 4. John Basile - Silver Bells 03:43 5. John Basile - Silent Night 04:06 6. John Basile - Toyland 03:23 7. John Basile - Oh Tannenbaum 02:46 8. John Basile - What Child Is This? 03:34 9. John Basile - A Child Is Born 03:21 10. John Basile - Christmas Time Is Here 04:15 11. John Basile - The First Noel 02:32 12. John Basile - Auld Lang Syne 02:40 “Silent Night” is an inspired collection of holiday favorites featuring guitarist John Basile interpreting timeless melodies in a latin jazz setting. Utilizing his electric and nylon guitars combined with digital MIDI technology, Basile has created an inspiring holiday set that will be sure to become a Yuletide favorite. www.johnbasile.net John Basil... Markus Rutz Moods & Spirits of the Season Impacting November 3rd, 2023 Format(s): Holiday, Jazz Markus Rutz Chicago musician & composer, releases Moods & Spirits of the Season His first-ever holiday album! Seasons of year brings to mind feelings, sights, aromas and sounds, and includes covers of classic traditional seasonal songs with original arrangements. The album features Rutz bright yet subdued interpretation of seasonal standards including: Blue Christmas Christmas Time Is Here Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow Oh Holy Night Winter Wonderland “The holiday season carries many associations of faith, traditions, families, cities and nostalgia” says Markus Rutz, who leads the group and plays trumpet. “For me it also brings feelings. Moods & Spirits of the Season reflect these sentiments and offer the sounds to listeners to share from my own perspective.” With trumpet by Markus the album also features his trio arrangements where Adrian Joel Ruiz is the pianist along with bassist Clark Sommers. Recorded August 06, 2023 at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois with studio engineer Brian Fox. Audio engineering is by David Stoller of The Samurai Hotel in Astoria in Queens, New York. The selections for the album are representative for the trumpet player from beginning of school concerts through present day concerts in conjunction with the acclaimed Rose Theatre from Washington DC. The songs will be very familiar, and represent a journey through his past. “I can remember playing holiday concerts at our junior high school gymnasium; playing themes with trumpet piano duets with my mom; and even together with my sisters joining in at times on clarinet, alto saxophone, voice and percussion during snowy weekend evenings in December.” While in high school, Rutz also took on holiday music with the county orchestra, and later in college with brass quintets emulating his trumpet professor John Aley, from a memorable live radio broadcast with the Wisconsin Brass Quintet. These experiences, good feelings and memories determined the song selection which were then arranged for the trio performance in the studio featuring Ruiz on piano and Sommers on bass. BIOGRAPHY Markus Rutz plays trumpet with bluesy, soulful style and a tone that has been called gorgeous. The last few years have been years of achievement in mid-career activities of performances and recording with local and national honors. In autumn of 2019, the album Blueprints Figure One: Frameworks was released which had tracks that appears on a story from NPR’s Morning Edition. The album was in consideration for a Grammy nomination last year. Also in January 2020 an album release concert was played for a New York City performance debut. The second volume of music from the project was released in September 2020 as Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs. Album recognition and reviews were accompanied by several radio interviews and global radio features notably in France and Germany. Closer to home in Chicago was an honor or being selected as a representative of Chicago Music for the 2020 Year of Chicago Music. A album live was released in December 2021 and features an exciting in- person performance side of Markus with a quintet. In early 2023 the album Storybook was released on JMARQ Records out of Chicago. The work is a concept album that is a postcard from the musician as a personal contribution to the larger story we are all in at this point in time. Partnering with musicians locally and from around the globe, he remains open- minded and curious through his musical journey benefiting from all that is new and unexpected. Markus performs, composes and teaches music from his home base in Chicago, Illinois. Rutz Music Works More About Markus Instagram Contact Markus@RutzMusicWorks.com SILVA & STEINI REIMAGINE HOLIDAY CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE FROM ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ AVAILABLE NOW ON FOUND "Christmas Time Is Here” is one of my favorite holiday songs. It’s not Christmas until I hear the song at my parents’ house, and everyone sings along." - Silva "I love singing this one with Silva. It’s such a beautiful melody; like a distillation of every positive Christmas memory there is. There’s something reflective and otherworldly about it too." – Steini Reykjavík, Iceland-based musicians Silva & Steini reimagine the classic “Christmas Time Is Here,” the popular Christmas standard written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the 1965 television special A Charlie Brown Christmas. This updated recording features a gorgeously lush arrangement that finds their vocals and harmonies accompanied by the warm and dreamlike tones of a Wurlitzer, the muted sounds of a felted piano, and the ethereal texture of a shimmering vibraphone. A first-of-its-kind boutique record label, FOUND emerged from a moment of life-altering fascination for founder Scott Blum. After spending a month in Iceland in summer 2022 and immersing himself in the country’s intensely vibrant arts scene, the entrepreneur and music-industry veteran felt called to shine a spotlight on the artist he'd discovered there. The result is FOUND’s mission to share singular voices in Icelandic music with the world. More Information About Silva & Steini: www.truetonegroup.com/silvasteini Found Website

Those were not the Senators I was referring to! Speaking of 1924, I'm pretty sure they were called the Nats then.

It occurs to me now (It did not occur to me then.) that the Nationals won the World Series before the Senators did!

Very enjoyable. I saw the movie fifty years ago, but all I can remember is the car chase and that the Robert Vaughn character was a jerk!

Semi-Finals previews https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/02/steinberg-6-things-to-keep-an-eye-on-for-division-semi-finals/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/03/ticats-als-settle-3-year-playoff-back-and-forth-on-saturday/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/03/ferguson-division-semis-feature-four-battle-tested-quarterbacks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/03/western-semi-final-offers-second-chance-to-lions-stamps/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/healthy-vernon-adams-jr-leads-bc-lions-into-rematch-with-jake-maier-calgary-stampeders-on-tsn-1.2030143 ***** 11/3 Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/03/cfl-ca-game-notes-lions-trying-to-buck-ten-year-trend/ ***** The Redblacks lost a lot of close games this year, so today they let go their OC Khari Jones. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/03/redblacks-part-ways-w-oc-khari-jones/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/03/ottawa-redblacks-fire-offensive-coordinator-khari-jones/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-part-ways-with-oc-khari-jones-after-one-season-1.2030572 ***** The television ratings were up 11% this year. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/03/cfl-regular-season-television-ratings-increase-over-11-percent-in-2023-on-tsn/ ***** Here's a surprise. The Ticats made Bo Levi Mitchell the league's second-highest paid player last winter (after Zach Collaros), but they are going to start Matthew Shiltz tomorrow. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/03/ticats-to-start-matthew-shiltz-over-bo-levi-mitchell-for-east-semi-final/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/10/31/report-ticats-to-use-mitchell-shiltz-in-esf/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ticats-to-start-matt-shiltz-at-quarterback-versus-alouettes-1.2030605 ***** You will recall that Ja'Gared Davis has played in the last six Grey Cup Finals. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/hamilton-tiger-cats-will-have-to-become-road-warriors-to-keep-ja-gared-davis-grey-cup-streak-alive-1.2030167 ***** Semi-Finals picks https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-picks-cfl-semi-finals/ ***** This thread's view count now stands at 226,400 views. That's an increase of 900 since October 19 (fifteen days)!

Deb Bowman Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Impacting November 2nd, 2023 Format(s): Holiday, Jazz Free those festive feet with Dynamo Deb Bowman's hit holiday release “Have YoursELF a Merry Little Salsa Christmas” produced by Jeff Jones “The Jedi Master” with MamaBamaRecords, Musical Arrangement / Direction by Dean Fransen. Recorded at Closed for For The Season Studios and World Alert Music NYC, Mastered by Andre Diaz at Post Modern Mastering Rio De Janeiro Brazil featuring the following artists: Deb Bowman - Vocals Manuel Valera - Piano Jakubu Griffin - Drums Joel Mateo - Percussion Jim Donica - Acoustic Bass Tom McCaffrey - Electric Guitar Kurt Bacher - Flute Michael Rodriquez - Trumpet Solo Matt Hilgenberg - Trumpet Rashaan Salaam - Trombone Tommy Mandel - Synthesizer The Jedi Master - Synth Programming Deb Bowman's Social Media www.debbowman.com deb@debbowman.com

Today the league announced the Divisional All-Star teams. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/02/in-the-stars-2023-division-all-stars-unveiled/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/02/cfl-unveils-2023-east-and-west-division-all-stars/ https://rodpedersen.com/2023-cfl-division-all-stars-announced/ ***** Semi-Finals picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2023/11/02/cfl-beat-200/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-picks-cfl-semi-finals/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/02/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-semi-final-picks-2/ ***** After missing so many games due to injury, Jeremiah Masoli is no longer considered by the coaching staff to be Ottawa's guaranteed starter. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/01/ottawa-redblacks-not-guaranteeing-qb-jeremiah-masoli-starting-job-in-2024/ \

I get my news first on organissimo, and then stumble upon it later! Dan Markel murder trial - Search (bing.com)