Steve Reynolds Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 No words for that last 50 minutes will suffice Too bad that the group didn't go back up until 5 til 11:00 for the second set. Methinks Irabagon takes his audience too lightly. He played very well during much of the amazing first set which was one continuous piece which incorporate some compositional elements with Mary better than I've seen or heard her before. Stunning block chords and intense skronk that drove Nasheet to incredible power surges. The tenor playing was best when Jon escaped his growing tendency to simply wail in a Coltrane like manner. Much better when he got down to some complimentary softer and thoughtful tight improv. During the second set, he took this tendency past the point of relevance and they only played 35 minutes. I asked my wife what she thought - she said it would have been better with Mary and Nasheet as a duo. I asked her how he compared to Tony - she laughed at me. Are you kidding me?!?! I agree with Leeway - lotsa technique - nowhere near a high level improvisor - he may know the language but he has trouble speaking it as of now. Plus when he is with musicians of the calibre of Mary Halvorsen and Nasheet Waits, he is exposed. He needs a bit of humility - an hour between sets is arrogant at best when you come back late and don't come near touching what happened in the first set. Quote
Leeway Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 I probably won't be in NYC on this date, but if you are, these would be good shows to see--Michael Moore! and Ches Smith Trio with Taborn on the Wurlitzer! (shades of Alice C!) New Revolution Arts 7 Stanhope Street Bushwick (Brooklyn) J/M/L Trains B38/B46 Buses $10 suggested donation Friday, January 16 7:30 -- Doors 8 pm -- Harris Eisenstadt/Michael Moore Duo Harris Eisenstadt (drums) Michael Moore (reeds) 9 pm -- Ches Smith Trio Ches Smith (drums) Mat Maneri (viola) Craig Taborn (Wurlitzer) Quote
mjazzg Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 Just came back from the Falcon in Marlboro, NY. Saw "In the Spirit of Don Cherry"- Karl Berger, Steve Bernstein, Peter Apfelbaum, Mark Helias and Tanni Tabbal. All compositions of Don Cherry. It was great!!!! Would love to see Berger live. that sounds like a great night Quote
mr jazz Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 Eliane Elias-The Hamilton-Washington DC. April 14th 7:30. This should be an excellent venue for her. We will be there. Quote
Leeway Posted January 8, 2015 Report Posted January 8, 2015 Just time to write a few notes on the ICP performance in Baltimore last night. They were LOUD (at times), funny, masterful, as bright as a shiny new penny, but I missed Misha Mengelberg's subversive wit, his deeper shadow. Misha was the counter-point to Han Bennink's manic force; without him, Bennink was reduced to banging louder, like someone talking to a foreigner in ever louder voice to make himself understood. The "star" of the show turned out to be cellistTristan Honsinger, whose odd wailings, singing and comic actions sometimes gave it the appearance of Monty Python. Good humor but no substitute for Misha's wit. ICP played some Misha compositions but it seemed the spirit of them was gone. YMMV of course, and maybe it did, let me know. It was a long night and now I'm off to NYC. Quote
Justin V Posted January 8, 2015 Report Posted January 8, 2015 Just time to write a few notes on the ICP performance in Baltimore last night. They were LOUD (at times), funny, masterful, as bright as a shiny new penny, but I missed Misha Mengelberg's subversive wit, his deeper shadow. Misha was the counter-point to Han Bennink's manic force; without him, Bennink was reduced to banging louder, like someone talking to a foreigner in ever louder voice to make himself understood. The "star" of the show turned out to be cellistTristan Honsinger, whose odd wailings, singing and comic actions sometimes gave it the appearance of Monty Python. Good humor but no substitute for Misha's wit. ICP played some Misha compositions but it seemed the spirit of them was gone. YMMV of course, and maybe it did, let me know. It was a long night and now I'm off to NYC. Does anyone know if they are doing an actual US tour or just a few dates? Quote
Head Man Posted January 8, 2015 Report Posted January 8, 2015 Booked in to see Harold Mabern at Ronnie Scott's on the 21st January. I love his playing and am looking forward to this very much. Quote
duaneiac Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 I'll be attending the live broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" from the Nourse Theater in San Francisco today. Among the musical guests will be the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. Quote
mikeweil Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Posted January 12, 2015 Saw Harold Mabern tonight - John Webber on bass, but Joe Farnsworth was not yet in town, so the local radio big band's drummer, Paul Höchstädter, was called. Not an easy job, as Mabern plays standards his very own way. My wife was disappointed as the groove wasn't nearly as tight as with Farnsworth. But I'm glad I caught the old man live - at 78 he still has plenty of energy in his playing and has a very nice stage persona. Quote
ejp626 Posted January 12, 2015 Report Posted January 12, 2015 I think I've seen him [Mabern] in the last year or two, and it was a bit of a surprise, but maybe I am just misremembering. I do know that I somewhat foolishly passed up a chance to see him in Vancouver last summer.A few days from now (Thurs actually) I plan on seeing Camper van Beethoven play in Toronto. I haven't seen them live in some time, probably at least 5 or 6 years. I've always enjoyed their gigs, though I have started feeling old after the shows... Quote
BFrank Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 I'll be attending the live broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" from the Nourse Theater in San Francisco today. Among the musical guests will be the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. Do they have a full stage set or something? They had a semi truck parked next to the theater for a couple of days. Quote
kh1958 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) Last night, Diego Figuieredo (Brazilian guitarist) at Mezzrow, and Jean Michel Pilc (solo piano) at Somethin' Jazz on 52nd Street. Edited January 13, 2015 by kh1958 Quote
BFrank Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 Something very different for me, I'm going to the SF Symphony on Sunday for this: MTT CONDUCTS THE SOLDIER’S TALE A trusting soldier. A violin. And a deal with the devil. Watch and hear the adventure unfold, when Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Stravinksy’s The Soldier’s Tale, a unique work for orchestra that mixes vibrant music, dialogue, and theatrics. Music legend Elvis Costello narrates the story of how a young soldier comes to trade his violin, win riches beyond his imagination, and compete with the Devil, played by critically-acclaimed actor Malcolm McDowell. Just announced! John Adams will open this program, conducting his dynamic composition Grand Pianola Music. Quote
kh1958 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) And last Friday and Saturday nights at the Winter Jazzfest: 1. David Murray Clarinet Summit (Hamiett Bluiett, Don Byron, Nasheet Waits). 2. David Murray, Geri Allen, Terry Lynne Carrington Trio. 3. Trio 3 (Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman, Andrew Cyrille), with Vijay Iyer 4. Mark Ribot's Young Philadelphians with Strings (with Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Mary Halvorson) 5. Kavita Shah 6. Amina Claudine Myers Trio (Jerome Harris, Reggie Nicholson). 7. The Cookers (Billy Harper, Donald Harrison, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Cecil McBee, David Weiss, Victor Lewis). 8. Rudresh Mahanthappa Charlie Parker Project. 9. Henry, Hampton and Low. Some standing in the cold was required, but for a rich musical banquet. Edited January 31, 2015 by kh1958 Quote
duaneiac Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 I'll be attending the live broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" from the Nourse Theater in San Francisco today. Among the musical guests will be the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. Do they have a full stage set or something? They had a semi truck parked next to the theater for a couple of days. Not so much this time. The first time I saw them do a broadcast in SF (maybe 4 years ago) they did have a background flat that looked like a two story farm house with lights in some of the windows. This time they had a few signs for their "sponsors" (Powdermilk Biscuits, the Ketchup Advisory Board, etc.), but I guess they must carry around their own mics & sound gear since they can't rely on the house gear wherever they may be to be up to broadcast standards, and it is probably easier/safer to transport the musicians' instruments that way than by commercial airliner. Quote
BeBop Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 Charlie Haden Celebration at Town Hall tonight. "Among the many performers will be Geri Allen, Kenny Barron, Carla Bley, Jack DeJohnette, Denardo Coleman, Ravi Coltrane, Bill Frisell, Ethan Iverson, Josh Haden and the Haden Triplets, Ruth Cameron-Haden, Dr, Maurice Jackson, Lee Konitz, Pat Metheny, Josh Redman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Brandee Younger, as well as Quartet West with Alan Broadbent, Ernie Watts, Rodney Green, with Scott Colley on bass, and Liberation Music Orchestra with Carla Bley, Tony Malaby, Chris Cheek, Loren Stillman, Michael Rodriguez, Seneca Black, Curtis Fowlkes, Vincent Chancey, Joe Daley, Steve Cardenas, Matt Wilson, with Steve Swallow on bass." Quote
kh1958 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 That's a helluva weekend, kh! In Dallas jazz concert time, it was approximately 20 years. Quote
David Ayers Posted January 15, 2015 Report Posted January 15, 2015 John Butcher and Dominic Lash, just a short stroll from my house. It's the interval. So good. Quote
David Ayers Posted January 15, 2015 Report Posted January 15, 2015 Butcher and Lash were joined by our own local improv luminary, Sam Bailey, on piano, harmonium and bells. Great stuff. Revelation of the evening - THE LASH. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted January 17, 2015 Report Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) John Butcher is on my list of people to see. Very taken by what I've heard on record (only really noticed him in the last year) - imagine he would but a real force live. There's an excellent Dominic Lash record with Alex Hawkins on from a couple of years back. In more lyrical territory: Billed rather plainly as John Taylor's New Group. John Taylor: piano; Julian Siegel: saxophones, bass clarinet; Diana Torto: vocals. Taylor must be one of the performers I've seen most often over the years - his style is always the same yet the contexts ever changing. Julian Siegel one of Britain's many excellent saxophonists - like Mark Lockheart, Julian Arguelles and Iain Ballamy, turns up in all sorts of contexts (most notably in the jazz-rock (with the emphasis on jazz) band Partisans). Tenor soprano and a lot of bass clarinet. Diana Torto from Italy I don't know at all - initially I was a bit uncomfortable with the accented English (my weakness entirely) but her scatting improvisations were superb. A really powerful singer with enormous imagination. In my experience people clap solos in jazz as part of a ritual - but you could tell the audience last night were genuinely excited by Torto's flights. Unexpectedly most of the tunes were Paul McCartney songs (I couldn't tell if he was joking when he said he was trying to get the latter to fund a recording!). Jazz does the Beatles generally doesn't do it for me - two very different harmonic worlds in collision. But these arrangements really worked - the sung melodies were intact but then the band took them off into improvisations that took them well away from the original shape and harmonies. Also did a couple of Italian pieces and two very poignant Kenny Wheeler pieces. If you enjoy the more lyrical (but spirited) end of virtuoso jazz, look out for them. Same world as Azimuth and Norma Winstone's recent trio...but different. Edited January 17, 2015 by A Lark Ascending Quote
sidewinder Posted January 17, 2015 Report Posted January 17, 2015 I was very impressed with Diane Torto's lead vocal work with Kenny Wheeler's 80th Birthday big band a few years ago. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted January 17, 2015 Report Posted January 17, 2015 The only place I've heard her is on KW's 'The Long Waiting' - there she is much embedded in the orchestra sound a la Winstone. Her distinctiveness came across last night. If anything she reminded me of Maria Pia da Vito - but that's probably becauses she's Italian and does improvised scat solos. Quote
JohnS Posted January 20, 2015 Report Posted January 20, 2015 Nice performance by Scott Hamilton last night. His first visit to Portsmouth in nine years. Ably accompanied by his usual UK rhythm section, John Pearce, Dave Green and Steve Brown Quote
BFrank Posted January 21, 2015 Report Posted January 21, 2015 Friday - Patti Smith @ the Fillmore Quote
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