papsrus

... 85 ...

Enjoyed that. Thanks.

It's Sunday, the air conditioner is on the fritz and it's 83 degrees inside. ... 84 ...

Seconded. I met Jeff at the Pensacola jazz fest recently. A real Southern gentleman. And though I've not met Allen Lowe, he kindly made the effort to track down my phone number and then called me out of the blue when I was going through a nasty health issue to express his concern. A very kind gesture that places him squarely in the "nice guy' column. I haven't met a lot of musicians, but those I have I recall as being almost universally gracious. If you're interested in them or their music, they appreciate it.

Tableaux de Provence: The classical saxophones and woodwinds of Ray Smith ... after hearing a track from the album on NPR. Looking forward to the rest of it.

Saw our own Jeff Crompton and the 4th Ward Klezmer Orchestra recently at the Pensacola Jazz Fest. Outstanding band. Great energy. More than a couple of people around me said "I love this band," including the guy shooting photos for the event. And I'll go ahead and plug the new CD as well, "Abdul the Rabbi," which I snagged at one of the tents selling merchandise. Had a beer and some grub with Jeff and a couple of the fellas in the band afterward. Unfortunately, they had to run and the weather turned sour, so I bugged out. But it was great hearing Jeff play. And he can play. Here's a pic from their gig. That's Jeff in the lab coat cranking it on the old liquorice stick:

Just noticed this. Will send via paypal.

curling ...

From CNN: I have never encountered heroin, and don't really know anything about the mindset of an addict when he/she is in the midst of using, but when I read that he was found with a needle in his arm, I immediately thought he must have taken a high dosage that took him down fast, if not instantly. And now this additional information (if true) that there were eight empty bags of the stuff in the apartment? It makes a person think that he likely would have, or should have known the dosage was excessive/dangerous/lethal. But again, when an addict is in the middle of the storm, I suppose he/she doesn't care about any of that. And the line between getting high and basically killing yourself fades fast. I, like others, always enjoyed his films and am saddened that a wonderfully creative man was taken far, far too soon. Tragic. RIP

They're a pick six, onside kick recovery and a hail mary, another pick six, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and a two-point conversion away from being right back in this thing!

Posted this on the "What are you listening to" thread. I wanted to double down here because I feel like this performance really succeeds on a couple of levels (at least). While the music can get "outside" at times, it always remains moored to Ellington. And these guys can (and do) turn on a dime to bring everything right back in the pocket. There's nothing "forced" about how this music strives to achieve its intent, if that makes sense. The whole thing flows quite beautifully. Anyways, if anyone else has thoughts on this one ...

I agree, and I also miss the enthusiasm that reading those sorts of pieces created in me. That's just not to be found (or at least it's rarely found) today. The majority of what is missing is the critical analysis of current jazz and improvised music. So many of the people who can write are too close to the musicians and are blinded by their relationships and therefore espouse the positive and promotional aspect of the music or stay silent. There is (or perhaps should be) a distinction made between one-off "reviews" that tend to come off as promotional or overly effusive, and more instructive writings that can offer the listener some sort of broader context for a piece of music; commentary that can help the listener understand how this music came to be. What was its inspiration? What are the musical signposts I should be paying attention to? Etc. Probably few of us need someone to tell us that a musician shredded a solo, or played with great passion, tenderness, etc. Nice to know, but I find that the more context I can get for a piece of music, the more I'm likely to enjoy or appreciate it.

Yes. The fellow leading the class is a former flautist with the Metropolitan Opera. Quite enthusiastic, as you can imagine. My only other encounter with opera was, coincidentally, a performance of Wagner's Siegfried when I was quite young. Turns out, Wagner was, in my case, not the best way to introduce a novice to the world of opera. A little heavy (and long). ... The Barber of Seville is much less intimidating.

I am really enjoying a course I'm currently taking that examines the four operas being performed this season in Sarasota -- The Barber of Seville, Jerusalem, Il Travatore and The Flying Dutchman. My first real encounter with opera, and so I'm looking forward to the live performances of each of these. This past week's class was on The Barber of Seville. Going in, I knew that this opera was a light-hearted, slap-happy affair, but had no appreciation for the vocal skill involved -- that rapid, spiccato, polyphonic call-and-response stuff. Amazing.

RIP. I've always enjoyed every encounter I've had with his music, whether as a leader or otherwise.

Our family agreed a few years ago that Christmas presents are for young children. Since there no more young children, we've freed Christmas from the material excesses that really kind of dragged down the holidays. The whole present thing just got kind of ridiculous. A few years ago before we all agreed on this new arrangement, I got the same book from three different people. And it was kind of a frivolous book at that. Now we gather with good food, friends and family, bring a bottle of wine or some tasty treat, and that's much more cozy than fretting over "did you like my gift?"

Very nice. Congrats.

I don't know. I work on a production desk and anyone over 50 should know that's a picture of Chick Corea. The man was pretty widely recognized in pop culture back in the day. Maybe all the old codgers have been bought out and sent on their way. You get what you pay for in a work force.

Not that old cliché again... Not a cliche for me.YMMV. OK. I guess too many Americans have asked me if we're all still wearing wooden shoes. It's a persistent fairytale. Seriously?

Thanks

What happens to the dough if the goal isn't reached? I think I've donated to a couple of these via paypal, (maybe?) and the goal wasn't reached and …

Those are some fine shoes.

Hope your wife (and you) are doing a little better each day.

Belated birthday wishes Jeff.