Lazaro Vega

The bass sound isn't that kind of direct mic, over exposed fret board sound that the 1980's engineers went to the mattresses over. And, much more importantly, what Larry said about the rhythm section's performance is on the money and isn't the music, ultimately, why we listen to recordings? Or is it all about the technology? That's where the first negative review at Amazon misses the boat. And, no, whatever sound is on the record should not take away from the music being played. "All Music" is not on an acoustical recording from 1923 and generations of listeners and critics managed to tease out the brilliance of King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band despite "technical limitations" (a relative term which seems more appropriate to Mozart's time than Armstrong's). If anyone did any careful listening to "All Music" they'd have noticed the piano, not the bass. It was a war, according to the war stories I've heard from Chuck, between the heat and humidity of the studio and keeping an already troubled instrument in tune. Levy makes the junker sing, which is a miracle in and of itself, let alone Warne and Lou able to stay as closely together as they did throughout the heads with the freakin' wires gradually changing pitch. Chuck and the engineer also captured the sort of textural dynamics of Warne's sound in all it's subtle gradations allowing us a close to live experience. As far as the music is concerned, Marsh's "Subconscious-Lee" should be hailed as one of the greatest captured performances on "What is this Things Called Love"-changes ever.

Thanks folks. Working this morning as it is fundraiser time. Had a great celebration last summer with the Lakeshore Big Band and Arno Marsh's quartet with Randy, who was nice enough to record part of it for me (Arno's version of "These Foolish Things" was so together!). Played my trumpet for the first time with a rhythm section in a jazz setting this past Wednesday. An open mic jazz jam session. The guys were great, but man I sucked, bad. And they kept asking me to come back up. Fall down, get up. This isn't free form, it's standards and blues, so...fall down and get up. I'm game. Gotta go through this if you want to climb that hill. And for the third time ever will play in church again this Sunday morning. The trumpet has become like cigarettes to me: I keep wanting to sneek out and punt a few hits on it whenever I can.

Thanks guys. Bailey did study with the same classical instructer as Noone, and some say he was influenced by him. Have not heard the Williams session with Bailey, so, will have do some comparison listening.....

Looking at the October 1923 session of Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and the booklet to the CD reissue "Off the Record" lists Buster Bailey as the clarinetist on "London Cafe Blues," "Camp Meeting Blues," and "New Orleans Stomp," with Noone listed as only playing on "Chattanooga Stomp." The notes only say "The Columbia sessions are also marked by some questions concerning dates, rejected titles and the identity of clarinetists. Apparently recorded over two days...." And that's it. Wondering if there's any other research to back this up, and, upon listening, if the Bailey identification holds up (if so, Gunther Schuller did a nice job of complimenting Bailey in Early Jazz).

Dear Lazaro, We are devastated by the loss of the irreplaceable violin legend Billy Bang - his spirit, his music, his presence. Now he has joined with other angels o f music Maria Arias and Billy Bang's children have asked Arts For Art to set up the Billy Bang Memorial Fund to help with funeral costs. For those who would like to contribute, Please mail your tax deductible contribution to Arts for Art at 107 Suffolk Street, NYC, NY 10002. You can also make a contribution on the AFA paypal account on the contribute page www.visionfestival.org Please make a note whichever way that you contribute, this is for the Billy Bang Memorial Fund. This fund will not be mentioned on the AFA contribute page / as it is a temporary fund. Thank you Patricia and William Parker ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tuesday April 19th, 2011 Viewing at the Funeral Home 11am-8pm Benta Funeral Home 630 St Nicholas Avenue [corner of 141st St] NY NY 10030 212-281-8850 Wednesday April 20th 2011 Funeral Service 9am-10am-viewing 10am-11:30am--Funeral Service Mount Olivet Baptist Church 201 Lenox Avenue [ corner of 119th St.] NY NY 10027 212-864-1155 Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery Immediately following the service [around 1pm] Webster Avenue and 233rd St Bronx, New York 10470 718-920-0500

Bang was the nicest cat, and ready to GO whenever he came around Chicago to play with Kahil El'Zabar. They appeared in duo at the UICA in Grand Rapids (when UICA was housed in the old bank building), then played a hippie joint called Arco Iris with Tri-Factor (Bang, Bluiett and El'Zabar). Blue Lake Public Radio recorded that for broadcast, a rather rambling evening. When Bang returned to Grand Rapids in 2003 with a quintet featuring Frank Lowe we arranged a recording for broadcast that was eventually issued on Justin Time records. Talked to Mark Helias about Bang this winter. I mean, in Viet Nam he wasn't a desk jockey, at all -- he was doing the dirty work of war. It profoundly affected him. Thankfully there was redemption in music. As the song says, let's have faith he's now "At Play in the Fields of the Lord." God Bless, Bang -- thanks for the great vibrations.

Ruby Braff may have been a difficult, opinionated, perfectionist of an artist -- but I'm sorry I never heard him live or had the chance to bring him into Grand Rapids. His stylistically omnivorous music is relaxed and swinging, with a keen sense of Louis Armstrong's primacy to the jazz tradition and the subsequent dimensions of his style as developed in Bunny Bergian, Bobby Hackett and Buck Clayton. The fact that he recorded with Roy Eldridge and can, depending on the record, evoke Miles Davis or even Dizzy makes him a master within the tradition. His humor with low notes in later years sort of wipes the slate clean of all the "difficult artist" aura. Tonight Jazz From Blue Lake spends part of each hour on Ruby Braff, plus music by Ken Peplowski and Shelly Berg who appear this weekend in Kalamazoo, and new cds 10 p-3 a www.bluelake.org/radio

McCoy was really on for a recent concert in Grand Rapids, too, though the accompanying musicians weren't as up as he was -- and he called a GREAT set list.

(This is probably too simple for the organissimo community. It was written for a broad audience on FB) In jazz 'soloing' there can be a tendency to lean on practiced patterns that fit certain melodic and/or harmonic forms, allowing a player to sound good though not really be 'in the moment' per se. Henry Threadgill, following the examples of Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman, seeks to continually challenge his band members to truly improvise. He often employs unusual instrumental combinations, and has developed a system of intervals to build solos from, as well as many other composer-led suggestions. Check him out. Henry Threadgill tonight on Jazz From Blue Lake, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. via www.bluelake.org/radio In addition, at midnight, we'll hear two new Nessa Records releases -- the Anthony Braxton/John McDonough duet recording; and a reissue of Roscoe Mitchell's 1967 quartet; plus a bit of "Air Time" with Threadgill ("Keep Right On Playing Through the Mirror Over the Water," a sort of avant-guard jazz study in crescendo). Late tonight, after 2 a.m., we'll dip into three new limited edition releases from Gerry Hemmingway's Auricle label, including a cross cultural meeting with the Korean komungo player Jin Hi Kim. A komungo is a six foot long zither with six silk strings. If you're up in about an hour, hope you can join us.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/cambridge/2011/02/after_29_years_stereo_jack_shu.html

Yup. You can send out way more free ones then you'd actually sell......

After that fall and broken hip he retired from international touring. I thought maybe Alyn Shipton mentioned Sir George would sometimes play around London for fun, but was pretty much retired.

http://www.grammy.com/videos/roy-haynes-acceptance-at-special-merit-awards-ceremony-nominees-reception

http://www.grammy.com/videos/host-performance-at-53rd-annual-grammy-awards-pre-telecast

I'd second the jazz programmer's list. You can see there, too, who's playing what (for the most part).

February 1, 2011 The Jazz Datebook: Regular Hits: Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays 7 – 11 p.m. and Saturdays 6-10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a revolving cast of local musicians. Saturday, February 5th, vocalist Mary Rademacher. Every Monday the What Not Inn jam session is open to musicians and vocalists featuring local, regional and international jazz musicians sitting in with the “house” band. No cover charge. For a full schedule see www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341. Mondays from 8 to 11 p.m. pianist/vocalist John Shea continues at The Republic, 45 South Division, Grand Rapids. www.republicgrandrapids.com. Tuesdays, from 7 to 10 p.m. pianist John Shea leads the band at the Big O’ Café, 80 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids. (616) 451 – 1887 or www.bigospizzas.com. Tuesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. live local jazz at The Grand Seafood and Oyster Bar, 24 Washington St., Grand Haven. (616) 844- 5055. Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. jazz at Hennessy’s Irish Pub, 885 Jefferson St. in downtown Muskegon (the old G&L building). Information from (231) 728 – 3333. February 9th, The West Side Jazz Trio. Wednesdays, 7 to 10 p.m. pianist John Shea is working at Brick Road Pizza, 1017 Wealthy Street S.E., Grand Rapids. (616) 719 – 2409. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday live jazz from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mangiamo, 1033 Lake Drive S.E., Grand Rapids. Information from (616) 742 – 0600. 2-2, John Proulx; 2-3, Bill Huyge; 2-4, Mark Kahny; 2-5, Paul Lesinski; 2-9, Greg Miller; 2-10, Robin Connell; 2-11, Bob VanStee; 2-12, Paul Lesinski; Monday, 2-14, Mark Kahny; 2-16, Mark Kahny; 2-17, Wally Michaels; 2-18, Greg Miller; 2-19, Bill Huyge; 2-23, Greg Miller; 2-24 Robin Connell; 2-25, Mark Kahny; 2-26, Paul Lesinski; 3-2, John Proulx. See www.thegilmorecollection.com. Wednesdays, 7 – 10 pm. Gilly’s at The B.O.B, 20 Monroe Avenue N.W. Grand Rapids, features the Mark Kahny/Tony Reynolds duo. Thursdays, 7 – 10 p.m. Gilly’s at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids, music with pianist John Shea. (616) 356 – 2627. Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. pianist Bob VanStee with singer Kathy LaMar at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686, or http://www.notosoldworld.com/site/index.php/lounge/live_entertainment. Fridays, Tony Reynolds and Wally Michaels entertain at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686. www.notosoldworld.com. Fridays from 6:30 to 9:30 John Shea is heard. at Cobblestone Bistro, 9818 Cherry Valley SE (M-37), Caledonia. (616) 588 – 3223 or www.mycobblestone.com Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. the Stormhorn Jazz Trio featuring alto saxophonist and storm chaser Bob Hartig at The Cobblestone Bistro, 9818 Cherry Valley SE (M-37), Caledonia. (616) 588 – 3223 or www.mycobblestone.com. For information on Bob see www.stormhorn.com. Timely Hits: Sunday, February 6th at 5:30 p.m. the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra hits at Founders Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Avenue S.W. Grand Rapids. If you can’t make it to the bar, the event will be streamed (both audio and video with a live chat) on the web via www.grjo.org. Wednesday, February 9th at 7:30 p.m. The Jazz Arts Collective, Mainstream and Contemporary Ensembles (two jazz chamber ensembles) of Hope College give a free public performance of original compositions at the Dimnent Memorial Chapel, 227 College Avenue at College and 12th Street, Holland. Information from (616) 395 – 7860. Friday, February 11th at 7 p.m. the Chicago based ensemble Eastern Blok returns to Bethlehem Lutheran Church 250 Commerce Avenue S.W. Grand Rapids for a concert of pan-cultural music, blending classical and jazz approaches with melodies and rhythms from the folk music traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia. With Groan I Vanovic, classical guitar; Doug Rosenberg, woodwinds; Matthew Ulery, bass; and Michael Caskey, percussion. To hear the band click http://easternblok.net/music.html. Proceeds benefit the Heartside Fund and Heartside Music Together. See www.grmajic.org or call (616) 406 – 9655. Friday, February 11th at 8 p.m. the Vijay Iyer Trio appears in The Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, as part of the Fontana Chamber Arts Jazz Series. Information is from www.fontanachamberarts.org . Saturday, February 12th, the 33rd Annual Gold Company Miller Show featuring the award winning university vocal jazz ensemble Gold Company, directed by Steve Zegree, and Gold Company II directed by Michael Wheaton. Tickets through the Miller Auditorium Box Office, (800) 889 – 228 – 9858 or www.millerauditorium.com. Sunday February 13th at 2 p.m. pianist Roger MacNaughton performs a fusion of classical music and jazz at the 2011 Hempy Keyboard Series at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. Information on MacNaughton’s multifaceted careeer from www.grogermacnaughton.com. Information on the concert from www.sc4a.org or (269) 857 – 2399. Thursday, February 17th at 8 p.m. the Ferris State University music program presents Claudia Schmidt at The Blue Cow Cafe, 119 North Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids. See www.ferris.edu/festival or call the Blue Cow Café at (231) 796 -0100. Saturday, February 19th at 6 p.m. vibraphonist Jim Cooper leads his trio in the Jazz Vespers service at First United Methodist Church, 227 East Fulton St., Grand Rapids. Information from www.grandrapidsfumc.org or (616) 451 – 2879. Monday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. the Continuing Great Artist in Residence series at Hope College presents jazz pianist Fred Hersch with bassist Tom Knific, drummer Keith Hall and vocalist Taylor O’Donnell in Wichers Auditorium, 127 East 12th Street, Hope College, Holland. Information from (616) 395 – 7893. Tuesday, February 22nd, at 7:30 p.m. at 7:30 p.m. vocalist Ann Hampton Calloway and her trio in concert at St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. N.E. Grand Rapids. (616) 459 – 2224 or http://www.scmc-online.org/concerts-events/detail/ann_hampton_callaway/. Tuesday, February 22nd at 8:15 p.m. bassist/educator Tom Knific hosts a CD release party for his new disc “The Muse,” at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Kalamazoo, with special guests Fred Hersh, piano; Chris Beckstrom, saxophone; John Knific, piano; Keith Hall, drums; Ryan Andrews, percussion, and Taylor O’Donnell with Mark Jackson, voices. Information from (269) 387–4678. Saturday, February 26th from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. pianist John Shea reunites with bassist Paul Keller and drummer Pete Siers (the group played in Grand Rapids in the 1980’s at The Harley Hotel, and before that at a variety of venues) at Cobblestone Bistro, 9818 Cherry Valley SE (M-37), Caledonia. Reservations are suggested, $30 in advance, $35 at the door: includes table dinner/show/cash bar. (616) 588 – 3223 or www.mycobblestone.com. Saturday, February 26th at 8 p.m. the Ferris State University music program presents Jazz at The Blue Cow Cafe, 119 North Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids. See www.ferris.edu/festival or call the Blue Cow Café at (231) 796 -0100. Friday, March 4th from 8 to 11 p.m. the Lakeshore Big Band plays for dining and dancing at the Grand Haven American Legion, 700 South Harbor Drive, Grand Haven. The American Legion number is (616) 842 – 5310; and for information on the band please see www.lakeshorebigband.com. Sunday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m. Gold Company and the Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra in The Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York, New York. See: http://tinyurl.com/5v4ft5f . Friday, March 11th at 8:15 p.m. The Cleveland Jazz All Stars at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. With Ken Peplowski, saxophone & clarinet; Jiggs Whigham, trombone; Shelly Berg, piano; Tom Knific, bass; Jamey Haddad, drums. Tickets available at the door or from the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office, (800) 228 – 9858. Thursday, April 7th at 7:30 p.m. Aquinas College’s Spring Jazz Night featuring the AQ Jazz Band directed by Dr. Paul Brewer in the outdoor Amphitheater, Art and Music Center, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids. Information from (616) 632 – 2413 or www.aquinas.edu/music/events.html. Thursday, April 14th at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Paul Brewer and the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra present music composed and arranged by “Doc” Brewer, at the Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Building, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids. Information from (616) 632 – 2413 or www.aquinas.edu/music/events.html. Friday, April 15th, the Mara Rosenbloom quartet at Mexicains San Frontieres, South Division, Grand Rapids. See: http://www.mararosenbloom.com/live/ . Friday, May 6th from 8 to 11 p.m. the Lakeshore Big Band plays for dining and dancing at the Grand Haven American Legion, 700 South Harbor Drive, Grand Haven. The American Legion number is (616) 842 – 5310; and for information on the band please see www.lakeshorebigband.com. Sunday, June 12th through Friday, June 17th the Aquinas College Summer Jazz Camp. Information from (616) 632 – 2413 or www.aquinas.edu/music/jazz_camp.html.

"Listen and Respond," an interview with jazz giant McCoy Tyner, tonight on Jazz From Blue Lake, as well as recordings celebrating the career of Benny Golson. 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. est via http://www.bluelake.org/radio. Hope you can join us.

That certainly marks the end of an era.....

Is there another thread on this? http://www.big-o-records.com/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=23

Drummer Jimmy Cobb's long, swinging career is celebrated tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio -- the Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb trio/rhythm section lights a fire under Miles Davis and John Coltrane in Stockholm, 1960, and then we're off, modulating back and forth between newer recordings and all time classics featuring Cobb. Also checking out McCoy Tyner who's trio with Gerald Cannon and Fransisco Mela appears in Grand Rapids next Thursday, and Max Colley III, a local trumpeter/drummer, in honor of his CD release party on Friday. Hope you can join www.bluelake.org/radio

Is that available on CD somewhere?

Donna Lee was almost completely disguised in rubato and improvisation -- the melody comes out near the end, but the piece is taken so slow compared to the usual.....

Saw this exhibited at Art Prize in Grand Rapids last fall. http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2011/jan/02/photography-detroit

Sālongo with Eddie Allen (leader) – trumpet Keith Loftis – tenor sax Oscar Perez – piano Gene Torres – bass Diego Lopez – drums Renato Thoms - percussion Sunday, January 16, 2011 Performance Time: 3:00 - 4:15pm At the Mt. Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church Located at 122nd Street at Mt. Morris Park West (fifth Ave.) NYC, NY Admission: $10.00 Sālongo is a “feel good” Afro-Cuban/Brasilian septet plays mambo, cha-cha, bossa nova and samba mixed with jazz, etc. To hear their debut CD, go to; www.cdbaby.com/cd/salongo www.digstation.com/salongo http://eddieallen.net/salongo.php