LWayne

While I appreciate that this CD is now listed as "out of print" and was never widely available given the rather obscure label, I would still like to find a copy of this CD (used in fine). Any offers? Thanks and Happy Holidays! LWayne

Does anyone else find it ironic that most of these artists do not pesently record for the Blue Note label that they are saluting? LWayne

I saw a posting on the Chris Potter website that he and his group Underground will be playing in Paris on Tuesday, November 25th when I am there on vacation. This is great news, and I am anxious to find details on the concert. They are playing at the venerable New Morning Jazz Club (www.newmorning.com). However, when I send an email to the club at the address mentioned on their website (contact@newmorning.com) the email came back as undeliverable. I have heard of the reputation of this club. Admittedly my French is bad, but I can certainly click on a "contact" link. Does anyone know this club and advise a way for me to contact them in advance regarding tickets, reservations, and directions? Many Thanks. Regards, Wayne

I have noticed some comments that people thought Ornette Coleman's set was "typical". Since I am not as familiar with his more recent recordings, save "Sound Grammar", can anyone identify some of the albums that he culled the songs from his set from as I would like to give them a listen? Thanks, LWayne

My wife and I just returned yesterday from our extended weekend in Chicago and enjoyed the Jazz Fest in Grant Park. It was great to spend some brief time with Chuck Nessa, Jazzy Paul and Mark Sheldon from the board. Highlights included Vijay Iyer Quintet playing a commissioned piece "Far From Over" on Saturday with fiery accompaniment by newcomers Prasanna on electric guitar and Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet. Dave Douglas followed with a stirring tribute to Lester Bowie with his Brass Ecstasy Group. The evening ended with an upbeat, albeit repetitive, set by 90 year old Gerald Wilson Orchestra with Kenny Burrell. The powerhouse band was well-received as it unveiled yet another commission: "Chicago Is" Highlights from Sunday included an eclectic set from ICP Orchestra, a down home funky fest by the 8 Bold Souls, and an unforgettable closer by Ornette Coleman. This closing set with Coleman contributing on alto sax, violin, and trumpet was certainly memorable. Overall, a great two days with Vijay Iyer and Ornette Coleman providing the highlights. On Sunday night, we visited the new site of the Jazz Showcase and caught Sean Jones and his alto sax/ piano player Brian Hogans sit in with Ira Sullivan for an entertaining evening. Also picked up a great CD: 8 Bold Souls "Last Option" on Thrill Jockey as this local group made quite an impression. LWayne

Looking to trade or buy. What say you? Regards, LWayne

Just received an email that Greg Osby will be performing at the Green Mill on Friday, August 29th and Saturday, August 30th to celebrate his initial CD release on his own imprint. I am very much looking forward to attending that show. LWayne

My wife and I will be using some of that frequent flyer and hotel mileage that I have built up and visiting Chicago on Labor Day weekend to attend the Chicago Jazz Fest. While I have been to many concerts and festivals before, this will be my first trip to the Chicago Jazz Fest and would appreciate any advice and tips from fellow board members. Given the big names performing on Saturday (Gerald Wilson Orchestra with Kenny Burrell) and Sunday (Ornette Coleman) nights, I would expect that there will be large crowds, weather permitting. Any advice on how early I should get there to stake out a good view? I don't want to fight to be down front, but would like an unobstructed view of the stage. I am also a big fan of Gerald Wilson and would like to try to get an autograph. Rather than trying to get to the stage, is there another less crowded point of entry? I don't want to hassle the man. Lastly, and most importantly, I have read in previous postings about the after festival jams at the Jazz Showcase. I have not been to the new location of the Jazz Showcase and was looking for confirmation whether it was worthwhile attending these post show gigs and whether Saturday or Sunday night would be the better choice. I would love to meet any other board members who might be attending as well. Looking forward to the festival. LWayne

Dan; I have been traveling the last two weeks on business so I did not have the chance to acknowledge that the Max Roach Mosaic arrived safely in Pittsburgh. Many thanks, LWayne

Dan; PM just sent on the Max Roach Mosaic. This way you can make one trip to the store for shipping containers. Please let me know if I am the fortunate winner. Thanks, LWayne

I was fortunate enough to attend two of the events of the weekend long "Braxton Plays Pittsburgh Plays Braxton" celebration. On Friday night, May 30th, the Braxton Septet played an intriguing set at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG) featuring prominent New York players such as trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum, guitarist Mary Halvorson, and violinist Jessica Pavone. While the set seemed to be derived from Braxton's recent "Ghost Trance" endeavor, as Taylor Ho Bynum (trumpets) explained to me and my wife afterwards, the musicians have the freedom to signal one another and play selections culled from over 40 years of Braxton compositions. As he described it, the musicians have ultimate freedom of expression to create a new work every time they play by choosing which passages to play in combination with which other musicians on stage. While there is a common composition that the group follows at the beginning, the piece grows organically in many directions at once, with seemingly no beginning, middle, or end. While the composition was very dense in style; with alternating passages that were both compelling and melodic and other sections that seemed contrapuntal and freer in nature, the resulting work was ultimately satisfying. Granted, it is difficult to continuously focus your attention for some 75 minutes on such a sprawling composition, as your concentration tend to ebb and flow; but taken in pieces, the overall impact is astounding. On Sunday, June 1st, my wife and I attended the second of two weekend performances at the National Aviary. The performance was being billed as the "first opportunity at inter-species music" by Braxton and the Syrinx Ensemble and was an enjoyable hour of the musicians playing to the birds assembled in the Wetlands Room at the Aviary. The musicians strolled around the enclosure playing a wide variety of sounds, squeaks, and honks in an interactive concert with the birds. While this performance was a little less coherent than the Friday show, it was nonetheless enjoyable as it provided a forum for the musicians to spontaneously play and interact with the birds who sporadically reacted to certain passages. Afterwards, Braxton was a very engaging and interesting host as he spent considerable time interacting with and talking to the concertgoers. Overall a very enjoyable weekend that I will not soon forget. LWayne

A close friend of mine will be traveling to Rome, Italy this week and he is interested in all things Jazz. I was looking for suggestions on his behalf as to clubs to go to and listem to jazz (or to sit in and play since he is an accomplished drummer) and for any CD stores that you can recommend. Grazi! LWayne

While traveling in NYC last week, I was thrilled to have another opportunity to visit that holy spot known as the Village Vanguard. This legendary club has been the scene of many memorable shows for me over the past few years, not the least of which was the Bill Frisell Richter 858 String Quartet gig from a couple of weeks back, so I was understandably let down by the first sub-par gig I had witnessed at this venue. Over the years I had built much enthusiasm for any performance at the Vanguard that included the incomparable drummer Paul Motian. Indeed, he was his typical over-the-top self and provided the perfect accompaniment for the trio. However, the solid bass playing and harmonics of Charlie Haden and Motian never seemed to coalesce with the pyrotechnics of Ethan Iverson. I will admit up front to being neither a fan nor a detractor of the Bad Plus, having seen them perform once live at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild here in Pittsburgh; but I was somewhat dubious of the unusual composition of this trio. Stylistically, there seemed to be many more possible pairings of piano and rhythm section that would make more sense. Unfortunately, as my wife commented, the performance never seemed to hit its stride. While the group played mostly a selection of up-beat original compositions, there didn't seem to be any group dynamic or chemistry. The highlight of the evening IMHO was those selections where Charlie Haden chose to solo or Paul Motian stretched out. Hopefully this will not be my last trip to Valhalla (aka Village Vanguard) this year as I sometimes have the occasion to frequent NYC on business. While I always try to take away the positive from any performance, this certainly was a disappointing evening. LWayne

Heard today at the MCG Jazz Concert that Anthony Braxton is a "go" for May 30th. I am really looking forward to this!! LWayne

The concert last night was great as Frank played some tunes by Annette Peacock, Andrew Hill, and some of his original compositions. His intensity,focus, and playing were amazing and he ended the set with a killer version of "Azure" by Duke Ellington. It was a memorable evening for me as he played on a Baldwin piano that used to belong to Billy Strayhorn (a Pittsburgh native)and the concert had a notable guest of honor in attendance being Andrew Hill's widow. It was certainly a fun event at an enjoyable venue that I hope to visit again on a future trip. Thanks Frank! LWayne

As a Pittsburgh resident, MCG Jazz subscriber, and Braxton fan I cannot wait for these events. I hope that I might have a chance to meet the man himself and thank him for his music. I saw him last time he played in Pittsburgh at the Three Rivers Arts Festival which might have been 12 years ago. Regards, LWayne

I was looking to trade for, or buy, the following Charles Lloyd ECM titles with Bobo Stenson on piano: Canto Fish Out of Water Send PM if interested. Thx, LWayne

Just picked up this release yesterday from my local CD store and am giving it a first run through at work. My initial reaction is that this is a great CD with notable contributions from Jason Moran and, particularly, Eric Harland who is fast becoming one of my favorites. While this is my first purchase of new music this year (besides "The Remedy" from Kurt Roenwinkel which is a killer) I would hazard a guess that this will be near the top of my "best of" list by year-end. Eminently listenable! LWayne

While checking out allmusic.com I found out that drummer extraordinare and educator Alan Dawson came out with a CD entitled "Waltzin with Flo" on the Blue Geodesics label. The CD was released 10 years after it was recorded in 1992. I have a good friend who took drum lessons from Mr. Dawson when he lived in Boston and I would love to purchase a copy of this release for his upcoming birthday in February. Any ideas/ leads would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, LWayne

In retrospect, while compiling my "best of" jazz list for 2007 I appreciated what an incredibly deep and diverse year this was as far as recordings and performances happily reversing the trend of recent years. What follows are my personal favorites ranking for new recordings, reissues, and live performances. I have been very fortunate this year and hope that my good fortune and luck continue into 2008: New Maria Schneider Orchestra Sky Blue Artist Share Dino Saluzzi & Anja Lechner Ojos Negros ECM Paul Motian/ Joe Lovano/ Bill Frisell Time and Time Again ECM Paul Bley Solo in Mondsee ECM Joe Lovano and Hank Jones Kids Blue Note Chris Potter Underground Follow The Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard Sunnyside Frank Kimbrough Air Palmetto Michael Blake The World Awakes: A Tribute to Eli "Lucky" Thompson Stunt Dave Douglas Quintet Live at the Jazz Standard Greenleaf/ Koch Kenny Werner Lawn Chair Society Blue Note Paul Motian Trio Plus Two Live at the Village Vanguard Winter & Winter McCoy Tyner Quartet McCoy Tyner Half Note Chris Potter 10 Song for Everyone Sunnyside Johnny Ponder Somebody's Child High Note Sam Rivers Rivbea Orchestra Aurura Rivbea Sound Company Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker Get Ready Mack Avenue Bobby Hutcherson For Sentimental Reasons Kind of Blue Robin Eubanks EB3 Live, Volume 1 RKM Bill Frisell Floratone Blue Note Steve Kuhn Trio Live at Birdland Blue Note Charles Tolliver Big Band With Love Blue Note John Abercrombie The Third Quartet ECM Quest (Liebman, Bierach, McClure, Hart Quest: Live in Europe Hatology Gerald Wilson Orchestra Monterrey Moods Mack Avenue Reissue Andrew Hill Change Blue Note Bobbby Hutcherson Mosaic Select Mosaic McCoy Tyner Mosaic Select Mosaic Booker Ervin The Freedom Book OJC Charles Mingus with Eric Dolphy Cornell 1964 Blue Note Dewey Redman The Struggle Continues ECM Live Gary Peacock/ Paul Motian/ Paul Bley Jazz Standard, New York NY 22-Aug-07 Dino Saluzzi and Anja Lechner Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo NY 28-Apr-07 Charles Mingus' Epitaph Allen Theater-Playhouse Square, Cleveland OH 27-Apr-07 Motian/ Lovano/Frisell Trio Village Vanguard, New York NY 4-Sep-07 Rany Weston African Rhythms Quintet Manchester Craftsman's Guild, Pittsburgh PA 9-Dec-07 Frank Kimbrough Trio The Kitano Hotel, New York NY 26-Jan-07 Tribute to Thelonious Monk (Lovano, Barron) Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland OH 26-Apr-07 Bill Frisell's Disfarmer Project An Die Musik, Baltimore MD 30-Oct-07 Paul Motian Octet Village Vanguard, New York NY 3-Apr-07 Toumani Diabate & Symmetric Orchestra Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh PA 27-Mar-07 LWayne

I am looking for "Serenity", the 2 CD ECM set from a couple of years back. Would consider trade or sale. Please PM with any information. Thanks & Happy Holidays, LWayne

Andrew Hill Blue Note Sessions 1963-1966. Or either of the subsequent AH select sets. LWayne :

I live in Pittsburgh and have heard no rumor about Freddie Redd moving here or playing at any local club but will keep an eye open... I would love to catch him live and will post any confirmed gig LWayne

"First of Year" meaning 2008 not 2007? That would be a year after the original plan; but progress nonetheless. LWayne

Any insight as to the fate of this venerable institution? Since there was a benefit concert in March, I believe, I have not read any speculation as to whether the club will reopen in a new location as planned. My concern is that the more time passes... Here's hoping and praying the Jazz Showcase comes back as it provided many great memories I am listening to the Danilo Perez "Live at the Jazz Showcase" as I compose this). LWayne