clifford_thornton

Vibraphonist and composer Khan Jamal has died at 75 according to Brewerytown Beats, the record store and label that was working closely with him in recent years. I'd heard he was having serious health issues so I guess it's not a shock, but 2022 is starting off to be quite a bummer. RIP.

He was very, very funny. Sad and unexpected -- RIP.

Mal Waldron/Marion Brown -- Much More! -- (Free Lance, FR)

So sad. I was invited to interview him a number of years ago; Brackeen was at that time living in LA and apparently houseless -- and I soon discovered a phone was not easily accessible for him either. Wish it could have happened but I am grateful for the music he left.

Yes, he came up in quite a fascinating environment! Hopefully the story will be able to be told soon enough but feel free to ask questions!

in Philly from his uncle Albert "Tootie" Heath. That's part of the story, anyway.

ditto. that Bowie/Wilson LP is killer.

The great percussionist, composer, and activist James Mtume has died at 76 -- he'd been ill for a while but it is very sad news. Had the fortune of interviewing him for a project that is thankfully still in the works. I learned a ton in speaking with him and speaking with others about him. He was and is a wonderful man. The 2LP release on Strata-East is a tremendous document and really lights a fire. May he rest in power.

Same, I was unaware of it until now.

There aren't too many houses in Nickelsdorf so it is probably pretty easy to find.

RIP. What a life.

that's awesome to hear. FWIW a few years ago I interviewed her for the NYC Jazz Record. Really dug chatting with her.

He used to post here, no?

that scene with Chubby Jackson is wild -- pretty unsettling actually, even if it is a put-on.

no, not that I know of. Not even as a recording licensed from another label.

Ha!

Also, I think that was Elliot Page's first big movie role, so there is some crossover interest.

yeah, that's where I'm at with it.

I've never heard that one. Balazs is a fun dude to chat with. Hope to make it back to Budapest someday.

that's kinda where I am at. I have around 10,000 LPs and CDs to choose from and only so many hours in a day.

Steve Baczkowski is young-ish, yeah. Probably around my age I'd guess (45). JBL -- it depends on the situation but I booked him for a duo with Luke Stewart that was tremendous, and have also enjoyed hearing him with Alan Braufman, Cooper-Moore, William Parker, and others. Jesup Wagon is really super too. Laubrock is rad but I'll admit not totally being stoked on more arch-seeming recent projects. I think that if those grow it will take a little time / rear view mirror. No knock against Tom, who's one of the best living jazz drummers without a doubt, but I do have fond recollections seeing her duke it out with Tatsuya Nakatani once. I'd be interested in hearing her with other percussionists more often.

well, satisfying is in the ear of the beholder.

AFAIK Reece's last appearances on disc were in the early 90s with Clifford Jordan's big band. I think the last one to be released was in '97 but it had been recorded several years prior.

Ballister is great jogging music. That's pretty much when I listen to it but it does the job mighty well. Amado is the shit I must say, really one of my favorite under-60 tenor players. Then there's the "kids" like James Brandon Lewis and Michael Foster.