BFrank

You're right about Chicago. For some reason I always thought they were from LA. The Dream Syndicate is doing some shows with them this year, too.

Nice list, Randy. I still haven't dug in, but will probably have several of those on mine, too. I hope to meet up with you guys for at least one breakfast.

Same here. It's one of my favorite films. Liked it when it first came out and it got better with each viewing. I recently picked up the Criterion release, but haven't watched it yet.

Supposedly Tidal has superior streaming quality available. They don't give you any specs, though. Someone gave me access through a Family Plan, but I haven't A/B'd it against Amazon.

I'm afraid to look at it because I know there will be conflicts-galore!

If you already have Prime, then Music Unlimited is $7.99/mo, or $79/yr (annual payment)

I use it. They DO have a pretty extensive catalog. You should take the free offer and see if they have the kind of stuff you want.

I've only listened to it a couple of times, and it could be a sleeper. But having said that ... it isn't grabbing my attention, so far. Definitely looking forward to Sun of Goldfinger!

I saw Alessi/Coltrane at the Winter Jazzfest and then bought the CD after the show. Only listened to the album a couple of times, but they were much more dynamic live.

Hey, Randy. I probably won't know until I get there and rendezvous with my friends. I should be able to make it to at least one, I think. Thanks, Chuck! New York Times Big Ears Festival Will Throw ECM Records a 50th Birthday Party

Haven't been to the Royal Room, but my friend lives near there. It's run by Wayne Horvitz. Definitely worth checking their calendar.

That's cheap! I'm at the Hyatt for around $150/night, but there are 3 of us sharing a room ... so about the same.

ABSÎNT sure sounds interesting! I'm a nig fan of Berne. Just saw him last week at the NYC WJF w/Halvorson and Formanek.

Bartz was a highlight for sure! I wanted to see Amina Claudine Myers, but it was at Bar Zinc so it got crossed off the list. Also wanted to see Kassa Overall Trio with Mark Shim, but after Allen/Murray I decided to call it a night. Interesting how the Saturday shows were much more crowded than Friday. Something I'll have to take into account if I go next year.

My thumbnail review of the weekend (also posted in the "What Live Music ..." thread) Saturday: - Michael Formanek’s Very Practical Trio w/Tim Berne and Mary Halvorson. Enjoyable combination of musicians. I've seen her with Formanek, but not Berne before. It worked. - Maria Grand DiaTribe w/Faye Victor. Nothing notable about the band, but Faye was outstanding. At Bar Zinc - terrible venue for a festival. Long narrow space with front half table seating only w/one drink minimum. Back half is the bar, but unless you're AT the front of the bar it was very difficult to see the stage. Overall difficult if you're venue hopping. - Ralph Alessi and "This Against That" w/Ravi Coltrane, Drew Gress, Andy Milne, Mark Ferber. Very good sextet performance. Ravi is getting stronger all the time. Surprisingly light attendance for this show. - Ben LaMar Gay. Nice sounding neo-jazz with a groove and vocals. At Nublu in the E. Village - a LONG walk from Bleeker St. - Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society + Hamid Drake. Again ... nice sounding groove, but I left after a half hour of noodling. Sunday: - Pocket Science with Gary Bartz, Kahil El Zabar, Jamaladeen Tacuma, Robert Irving III. Excellent set especially since I've never seen Tacuma or Zabar before. Nice auditorium, but for some reason they had the band near the back wall of the stage instead of up front. - Dave Liebman, Adam Rudolph & Hamid Drake. Three sets in a row at Subculture, like kh. Interesting trio and pretty abstract. - Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf ‘Science Fair’ w/Dayna Stephens, Jason Palmer, Matt Penman. The discovery of the weekend for me. I wasn't familiar with Miller, and her drumming is outstanding. Staaf is a force to be reckoned with, too. - JD Allen Encounters David Murray. Very intense and a good way to close the festival for me. Allen has a solid Rollins/Coltrane presence and of course Murray takes his Ayler blowing to the max. They played off each other very well. Looking forward to NEXT year!

I had a good time, too. Saturday: - Michael Formanek’s Very Practical Trio w/Tim Berne and Mary Halvorson. Enjoyable combination of musicians. I've seen her with Formanek, but not Berne before. It worked. - Maria Grand DiaTribe w/Faye Victor. Nothing notable about the band, but Faye was outstanding. At Bar Zinc - terrible venue for a festival. Long narrow space with front half table seating only w/one drink minimum. Back half is the bar, but unless you're AT the front of the bar it was very difficult to see the stage. Overall difficult if you're venue hopping. - Ralph Alessi and "This Against That" w/Ravi Coltrane, Drew Gress, Andy Milne, Mark Ferber. Very good sextet performance. Ravi is getting stronger all the time. Surprisingly light attendance for this show. - Ben LaMar Gay. Nice sounding neo-jazz with a groove and vocals. At Nublu in the E. Village - a LONG walk from Bleeker St. - Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society + Hamid Drake. Again ... nice sounding groove, but I left after a half hour of noodling. Sunday: - Pocket Science with Gary Bartz, Kahil El Zabar, Jamaladeen Tacuma, Robert Irving III. Excellent set especially since I've never seen Tacuma or Zabar before. Nice auditorium, but for some reason they had the band near the back wall of the stage instead of up front. - Dave Liebman, Adam Rudolph & Hamid Drake. Three sets in a row at Subculture, like kh. Interesting trio and pretty abstract. - Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf ‘Science Fair’ w/Dayna Stephens, Jason Palmer, Matt Penman. The discovery of the weekend for me. I wasn't familiar with Miller, and her drumming is outstanding. Staaf is a force to be reckoned with, too. - JD Allen Encounters David Murray. Very intense and a good way to close the festival for me. Allen has a solid Rollins/Coltrane presence and of course Murray takes his Ayler blowing to the max. They played off each other very well. Looking forward to NEXT year!

I listened through this set several times before deciding it wasn't for me. As mentioned earlier, it was "dull" (IMO). I sold it here a year or so ago.

See you THERE!

The other night I saw Ravi play a piece on Sopranino. I found it interesting and much less annoying than Soprano.

Joe Hen "Milestone Years" - disk 2

There's also the interviews (which I only listened to once, though).

If I remember correctly, Sunday was a little less crowded last year.

Glad there's a map. I have a rough spreadsheet of the shows/venues/times which should help, too.

Yes. He started out as a writer on Smothers Brothers and became a regular character in skits as "Officer Judy".

Seeing Herbie tomorrow night "subbing" for Wayne at SFJAZZ. Wayne had to cancel his 4 dates here because of illness. So instead of cancelling, they're bringing in guests to play with his band over 4 nights and calling them "Tributes." Tomorrow it's HH, Terrence Blanchard and Terrace Martin.