LWayne

I know of several live CDs; "On Broadway", Volumes 1,2 and 3 reissued on Winter & Winter Isn't "Trioism" live as well? ..obviously looking forward to "Live at Village Vanguard" (kind of a souvenir). LWayne

Last week while in town for business, I was fortunate to be able to catch this legendary trio at the Village Vanguard. While this was the second week that the group was in residency at the Vanguard, I was still somewhat surprised at how crowded the venue was for the first show on Tuesday, September 13th. Good thing that we arrived early to beat the crowd as we were rewarded with a small table about six feet from the stage. The trio immediately launched into a wonderful version of a classic Monk tune “Crepuscule with Nellie” which I have always enjoyed. The live rendering of this song was even more vibrant than the familiar version on the “Monk in Motian” CD. The melding of Joe Lovano’s rich tone on tenor along with the exacting brushwork and judicious use of the cymbals by Paul Motian along with the atmospheric fills of Bill Frisell on guitar have to be heard live to appreciate. From there the evening just got better. While I was so caught up in the events of the evening that I did not take note of all the songs played, I was nonetheless impressed by the inclusion of several selections from the new Paul Motian CD “I Have The Room Above Her”. I believe the titles were “Osmosis” and “Dance”. The hour long set of familiar standards, Monk tunes, and new songs all worked very well together. Didn’t anybody else get a set list for this show? This was about as close as you can get to a perfect night of jazz IMHO. Listening to a trio at the top of their game in a legendary club with lots of charisma. Doesen’t get better than this. LWayne

I caught the first set of their Tuesday show. Great set by a great group! As previously mentioned, the set had a lot of Monk tunes-starting with a breath-taking rendition of "Crepuscule With Nellie" from their "Monk in Motian" CD. Also did play some of their tunes from their new CD "I Have the Room Above Her". -the songs "Osmosis" and the title track. Really fortunate to be able to catch this live event. LWayne

Anyone have news on status of Gregory Davis, Jr. He plays trumpet for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band when his teaching schedule at Loyola allows. He also books the Jazz Tent at JazzFest and is a good friend. Haven't been able to contact him. LWayne

I plan on being in Chicago on business that week and will try to catch McCoy Tyner on Tuesday or Wednesday night (if not both). Anybody else planning on going early in the week? I caught McCoy at the Jazz Showcase last year and loved the show! It was one of the most crowded and well-attended shows that I have witnessed there. LWayne

The listing below, posted on the WWOZ website, is a compilation of New Orleans musicians who are known to have survived the travesty of Hurricane Katrina. http://www.wwoz.org/ Please post any other updates to this thread & say a prayer... LWayne List of New Orleans Musicians Who Survived the Hurricane: Allen, Shamar Anderson, Theresa Andrews, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Ankar, Jim(Aural Elixir) APVR Barnes, Sunpie Batiste, Russell Bandrowski, David Banjo Grayson, Roberto, Washboard Lisa Bonerama Braun, Joe Brotherhood of Groove Brown, Leon Brunious, Wendell Butler, Henry Capps, Grayson Cleary, John Clifton, Chris Brian from Country Fried Crooks and Nannies Davenport, Jeremy David & Roselyn DelRosario, Anthony (Turducken Productions) Dillon, Monica Dirty Dozen Brass Band Doc Otis Doctor John Domino, Fats Drums & Tuba Drury, Lynn Eaglin, Snooks Edegran, Lars Fardela, Charlie Fisher, Patrice Fohl, John Forrest, Andy J. Freilich, Jonathan (New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars) Forsyth, Gina Funky Meters Galactic Griffin, Tracy Hall, James Hampsey, Matt Harvey, Tom Hot Club of New Orleans Iguanas Ingraffia, Burke Jeff & Vida Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes Kerin, Josh Leonard, Herman Lil Stooges Brass Band Lonzo, Freddie Lucia, Ingrid Lyons, Jeremy MacLuckie, Tommy Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Wynton Martyn, Barry Masa & Masako (Dragon's Den) Mayfield, Irvin McMurray, Alex Mem Shannon & The Membership Mother Tongue Neville Brothers Osborne, Anders Phillips, Devin George Porter Jr OTRA: Brent Rose (VA), Pupi Menes (Baton Rouge), Eric Lucero, Sam Price (Denmark) Ozaki, Nobu Panorama Jazz Band Quintron & Miss Pussycat Paxton, Josh Pistol Pete Rebirth Brass Band Riley, Josh (Saaraba) Rodli, John Ruffins, Kermit Samuels, Mark & Will (Basin St. Records) Schatz, Greg (Schatzy) Singleton, James Skinkus, Michael Slewfoot & Cary B Sneaky Pete Snow, Robert Stoltz, Brian Stone, Marc Summers, Bill Thomas, Irma Toussaint, Alan Trolsen, Rick Truckstop Honeymoon Venet, Seva Vidacovich, Johnny Wagner, Rob Washboard Chaz West, Mike White, Dr. Michael Wolf, Andy(Los Vecinos, Iris May Tango) Wright, Marva Zaorski, Linnzi Zydepunks

Unfortunately I missed the performance as I got out of work late. Did anybody catch the show and can offer a report? LWayne

Pianist Dave Burrell will be playing a free performance at South Park, a suburb with a county park & performance area just south of Pittsburgh, tomorrow night. I am only familiar with his work through his association with David Murray but have never caught his solo/ group output. Is he worth catching? Comments please. Thanks, LWayne

I will be in town on business and hope to make either Sept 14th (most likely) or Sept 15th show. I have seen this group at the VV before and they were great! LWayne

While in Seattle last week, I was able to pick up three used (promo) Criss Cross Jazz titles at Bud's Jazz Records on South Jackson (great store for older, out of print titles, by the way) as follows: Edward Simon "Simplicitas" Adam Rogers "Apparitions" David Binney "Bastion of Sanity" Have only listened to each of them once. While none of the three immediately commanded my attention from initial inspection, I would appreciate any feedback/reviews from the group. Thanks, LWayne

Any clubs to recommend in Seattle? I have neem to Jazz Alley before (saw a terrible set by Jimmy Smith) and Tula's. At first glance, I wasn't attracted by the schedule for either club for next week. Any other alternatives? Any CD/ book stores to recommend as well. Thanks..as always.. LWayne

While the Jazz Showcase and Jazz Record Mart (prices are way too high) are "sure things", don't be afraid to venture to the Hot House. I caught the Tomasz Stanko quartet there in March and it is still te best quartet show I have seen so far this year. The place has a neat, bohemian, artsy vibe; although there is a little bit of smoke wafting through the air. LWayne

As far as exact recording dates, the CD booklet is vague: "Recorded live November 2002-April 2004, North America, Europe and Asia" I have only listened through the whole CD once and find it....challenging. It is not as immediately accessable as "Footprints Live" and will be harder to embrace. I caught the group's live performance a couple of years ago playing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. While I always find it easier to understand a subsequent live CD if you have has the opportunity to hear the work performed live beforehand, I am not sure if that axiom will prove true with this new CD "Beyond the Sound Barrier". LWayne

Anybody know the names of her touring band? LWayne

Last night my wife and I caught Lizz Wright and her band perform a 1.5 hour set at the Club Cafe in Pittsburgh. This was only the second time that we have been in the club, which is a warm, cozy, smaller venue with excellent acoustics. I will admit up front that I am not typically a big fan of jazz vocals (a decleration that I have heard from Joe Segal of the Jazz Showcase in Chicago as well). Having stated that; this show was an absolute thrill! Lizz has a captivating, sultry, gospel-influenced voice and projects herself with great ease. Her tour manager told us that she was raised in the church in the south and that discipline shows through in her singing. Most of the set was culled from her recent (this week) release "Dreaming Wide Awake" on Verve. Surprisingly, her jazzy interpretation of "Old Man" by Neil Young and the Youngblood's "Get Together" were highlights. What a voice! She was recommended to me by Greg Davis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band who books the talent for the Jazz Stage for the Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Don't miss her if she comes through your town. LWayne

Thanks Ron. I still might give Dazzle a go on Sunday night as I am free. LWayne

I will be in Denver for a trade show on nights of June 19-20, leaving June 21. Any clubs to recommend for live shows? Thx, LWayne -_-

I was fortunate to attend two shows last week (the late set on Tuesday night and the early set on Tursday) and really enjoyed hearing Bobby Hutcherson. It was great to hear him play some of the standards. In particular, I enjoyed hearing "Little B's Poem" as well as the numerous ballads that he has recorded. Personal highlight was talking to Bobby between sets. He is quite a story-teller and entertained his audience with some great gems. He related that he recorded some 45 albums for Blue Note during his career, and that there will be plans to release all of them at some point in the future. Sounds like a Mosaic project. One other entertaining story involved his sister, who worked with Ray Charles as a Raylette during the 1960's. Apparently, the band used to travel from gig to gig on their own chartered plane. On one flight Bobby's sister brought a new recruit to the cockpit to meet the crew. Imagine their surprise when they found that Ray Charles was sitting in the pilot's seat flying the plane! Ray advised the girls that the crew let him "fly" the plane when it was on auto-pilot, and added, with some humor, that he was looking forward to learning how to land the plane at some point. Apparently this revelation was too much for the young dancer who promptly resigned the band when the plane landed. One of the many great stories related by Bobby Hutcherson. He is a truly warm person who seems to really appreciated connecting with his audience. Here's to wishing him continued success and best of luck going forward. LWayne

I was there at the 8:00 PM show on Thursday night as well. Really enjoyed the personal touch of hearing Bobby playing happy birthday for his son! You must have been the gentleman in the front row snapping away! I was with a friend from Chicago who also enjoyed the show. Apparently the Chicago Trib had some nice things to say the next morning. LWayne

On Saturday May 8th, my wife and I drove north to Erie, Pa. to attend a concert by Bill Frisell and the Unspeakable Orchestra. The band was the same lineup as the group on the grammy award winning "Unspeakable" CD released last year. Bill Frisell-guitar, Tony Scherr-bass, Kenny Wollesen-drums (his regular east coast trio) supplemented with the "858 Strings" trio of Jenny Scheinman-violin, Eyvind Kang-viola, and Hank Roberts-cello. The addition of a string section intersecting with the angular tone and harmonics of Frisell's guitar, complete with some of his trademark distortion and delayed effects, proved to be quite intoxicating. While I certainly enjoyed the album, the songs really took shape and became much more vital when played live. While the string section played together harmoniously marking the rhythm on most songs, Frisell's guitar was free to soar above the tunes, intersecting the melody at will and floating off to great effect. I have seen Bill Frisell perform live three other times in a number of differing groups:the Bill Frisell trio, the "Blues Dream" group, and his shared trio with Paul Motian and Joe Lovano; but have never enjoyed his unique style and voicing as much as with this group. There was something about the dynamics of guitar, bass, drums and a string section that really complemented the music. While the CD is certainly evocative of 60's soul and R&B records- complete with over the top keyboards, special effects, and great production- the live performance of these same songs sounded notably different played stripped down. The band really seemed to enjoy themselves and Bill was smiling throughout the performance. One of the best concerts of the year so far. Don't miss this group! LWayne B-)

Since I will be back in town on business, I probably will be attendind an early show in the week (most likely Tuesday or Wednesday). Anybody know the band with whom Bobby Hutcherson will be playing? I know that he has a CD with the SF Jazz Collective coming out soon (probably the same week that he is in Chicago). I guess he does not record his own groups any more. I believe the last release under his name was about six-seven years ago on Verve. I think it was entitled "Skyline". Any insight as to his recording future? LWayne

I also bought this album last year, mainly because Jason Moran and Jack DeJohnette were playing on it. The CD leaves me cold-one of my bigger disappointmets of last year-but I did enjoy hearing Don Byron play live a couple of years ago. It was a program of "Jungle Music" saluting Duke Ellington. Maybe it's just a matter of the material. LWayne

Does anyone know whether he played with his brothers last Friday in their scheduled gig for the Tri-C JazzFest in Cleveland? I had circled this date on my calendar and had planned on attending. However, I was in New Orleans on vacation last week and never made the date. Now it looks like a missed opportunity as I never got to see Percy perform live. Can't add any more plaudits than what has been cited already. His recorded accomplishments will certainly stand the test of time. RIP to one of the greats. LWayne

Earlier this week at the beginning of a business trip in Atlanta, I had the chance to catch the double bill of the Brad Mehldau Trio and John Scofield Trio at the Variety Playhouse in the Little Five Points section of Atlanta, not far from Emory University. The Variety is an old converted movie theater. One of those charming venues with velvet fold-down movie seats and a lot of nostalgic atmosphere. Despite how interesting the decor was, the acoustics left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, the sound clarity and resonance proved to be a challenge with the opening acoustic set of the Brad Mehldau Trio. This was my first time seeing the Brad Mehldau Trio. While I have heard many of their CDs before, and have read the varied posts on this board surrounding their uneven albums, catching the group live was much more rewarding. The trio of Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drums were evocative of Bill Evans at times; more lyrical at other times. The group played a set covering selections from many of their CDs, rather than focusing on tracks from their most recent Warner Bros and Nonesuch (solo Brad) recordings. Very intriguing music as Brad definitely draws the audience to his extended improvisations on familiar themes. Only criticism is that some of the tunes went on a little long and seemed to lose momentum after a while. Set listing was as follows: 1. 50 ways to leave your lover (Paul Simon) 2. Grenada (Chris Cheek-a blend of Spanish and African themes. A little more up-tempo and the best song of the trio's performance in my opinion). 3. Untitled (according to Brad Mehldau) 4. Loverville? (Described as 'love theme' from Peter Gunn TV show). 5. Everything in Right Place (Radiohead) 6. Fool on the Hill (Lennon & McCartney-another highlight). While I was originally attracted to the show by virtue of the Brad Mehldau billing, I have to admit that it was John Scofield and his trio that stole the night. One word: wow! In contrast to the more reserved, acoustic, set played by the Brad Mehldau Trio, the John Scofield Trio blew the facade off of the old theater. Their set was so energetic that Bill Stewart on drums blew the head off his bass drum after the opening song! What could have been a potentially deflating event turned out to provide an opportunity for John Scofield to have the audience in stitches by crafting a spontaneous monologue. He is a great showman and storyteller. His electric trio of John Scofield-guitar, Steve Swallow-electric bass, and Bill Stewart-drums were very tight and dynamic. Swallow is simply awesome on electric bass. There might not be a more virtuosi performer in jazz today. His responses to Scofield's electric lead lines were dead-on entertaining. Likewise, Bill Stewart is becoming an incredible performer in his own right. His muscular drumming style fits in perfectly with the jazz/rock fusion of Scofield. This was also my first time hearing John Scofield play live and I was simply captivated by the way that he can excite an audience with his distorted fusion of jazz and rock; a very distinctive style. As far as I could tell, the set list was: 1. Unknown 2. Alexander's Rag Time Band (a great take on a classic). 3. Hammock Soliloquy (best number of the night) 4. You Don't Know Me (rendition of the Ray Charles tune) 5. Over the Top 6. (Encore) Georgia (with Brad Mehldau on piano) 7. (Encore) Wee (also with Brad Mehldau on piano) All told, John Scofield and his trio stole the night. Great show and a wonderful way to start a business trip. LWayne

Reference my review of their live show at Lafayette College in Easton in early March. Best concert (along with Tomasz Stanko Quartet) that I have seen this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LWayne