Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Ring it in, Ring it in, it in ring, in ring it...
Saturday, December 26, 2009
RIP Charlie Banacos
Charlie is remembered by students as an unassuming and nurturing teacher, who as one student said, "made you feel like you were the only student he'd ever had." His wisdon and light will be sorely missed.
Links and rememberences as I find them- former Charlie students, please add your thoughs and memories in the comments section.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The chorus' awful long, but it's a good refrain...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Twist us, roll us in your mouth, light us up and take a hit...
Monday, December 07, 2009
You can't have enough orgies...
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
No-no radio
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
You make me happy when skies are grey...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Gigs to see- December
Saturday, November 14, 2009
a million watts of, what?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Next performance: Pat Donaher Khabu Duo, 11/18 Rutman's
Monday, November 02, 2009
Talk talk
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Next Gig: Tales of Johnny Carcrash, Friday 10/30, 7:30pm, Rutman's Violins
Other gigs to see this week
I'll put November up soon, but there are several gigs of real note in town this week. One, of course is mine, and I hope to see you. Otherwise:
This afternoon at 1pm, the great (and in the states, tremendously underrated) Han Bennick gives a masterclass at New England Conservatory. The great Anthony Coleman, who is now in town a lot due to his teaching at said NEC, offers a solo recital Thursday night at Jordan Hall with music of and inspried by Jelly Roll Morton.
Late, late Thursday night Boston ex-pat and great friend Jeremy Udden has a CD release party, at midnight. It's an invite-only (so to speak) so see his webpage for detalis.
And the Bad Plus drop by this weekend, two nights at the Regattabar. TBP on Halloween- hide the candy, and the children...
How, Hwaen?
"It is with slight trepidation that I, known hitherto by many asthe "wooden Inca," dip my toe into these uncharted waters of the blog, let alone a "jazzer's" blog! Nevertheless, I wade on -- and pray tha tI shall not be, whether by clandestine tow or sudden maelstrom, caught unawares and spirited away toward boundless sea! How often have I by others been met with incredulity, reserve,even concern at the mere proposition of free improvisation. "But youhave _some_ kind of plan, no?" represents the more generous person's response. But how else shall I characterize this wondrous process inwhich Pat and I engage? It is neither aleatory nor pre-design; its tongue is neither jazz nor classical. Its vestments are not exclusively drawn from one fashion or another; neither is its substance fraught with or void of intention. Rather, it is what it is,and I do hope, with utmost sincerity, that it may be what it need befor your particular circumstance. I look forward to see all of you there. Please take care. Hwaen Ch'uqi
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thinkin' of one thing and doin' another
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Wayne Shorter Quartet + New England Conservatory Philharmonia, Jordan Hall 10/24
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Rosenwinkle @ Regattabar tonight
Friday, September 25, 2009
Ooooops
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Matt Wilson Quartet @ Rutmans, Friday 9/25 @ 7pm
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
My bean is cooked.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ben Monder tonight at Beehive
Thursday, September 03, 2009
There's a tidal wave...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
It was a dry wind and it swept across the desert and it curled into the circle of birth
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
RIP Joe Maneri
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Aaron Goldberg and Madeleine Peroux tonight!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
ring ring go my ears
RIP George Russell
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
RIP Merce Cunningham
To me Cunningham was so inspiring because he seemed so modernistic in his style, so committed to both a very high level of virtuosity and to a style that spoke to the present he was in. I'm embarrased to say that I didn't know John Cage was his musical and personal partner through much of his life- I can only imagine how that sets off the imagination. Actually, I don't have to.
Here's an interview with Cage and Cunningham in 1981.
Matana and Ethan both have great things to say...
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Gig to see: Newport, and Jody Redhage
Thursday, June 25, 2009
RIP Michael Jackson
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Puddle jumping
Monday, May 18, 2009
RIP K. Pattabhi Jois
Monday, May 11, 2009
on the radio, uh-oh
“I got a call late last week informing me that this past Sunday would be my last show. The reason being given is budget cuts related to diminished revenues at both ‘FNX and at the /Boston Phoenix/. While I wasn't surprised, given the nature of the newspaper business and radio in general, I am incredibly disappointed. I’m not sure where to go next but I guess I'll sleep in for a couple of weekends and then figure it out. I still plan on being active in some way but everything happened pretty quickly so I really haven't had much of an opportunity to figure out what's next,” noted Turton in an e-mail Monday morning.
Legendary jazz concert promoter *Fred Taylor* weighed in. “I think it shows WFNX’s total lack of acknowledgement of Boston’s arts community. To cut one lonely jazz show like this which represents a basic American art form from the station’s 24-7 programming is unconscionable,” he said upon hearing the news.
“Jeff Turton has been a jazz resource for Boston listeners for 26 years. He hosted the go-to show on Sunday morning radio, and he will definitely be missed.” stated noted jazz writer and Marsalis Music Creative Consultant *Bob Blumenthal*.
Next there was a call from WGBH 9 year veteran jazz DJ *Al Davis*. “I can’t book any guests on the show until I speak with WGBH. They’ve called me in for a meeting and it sounds serious,” said Al to publicist Sue Auclair.
Tuesday, May 15 brought the news that ALL of the */Jazz Gallery/* hosts would be departing at the end of May. That included Davis on overnight Fridays, 15 year veteran *Kevin Ball* overnight on Saturdays and *Ron Gill*, overnight on Sundays.
All live-hosted weekend jazz shows will be gone, as of May 26 and the new programming will feature “Jazz With Bob Parlocha,” the program that is syndicated nationally and now already airs on 89.7 FM overnights on weeknights.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Gigs to see in May
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Bells will ring
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
we don't always get to know
Sunday, April 26, 2009
He juggled fire and it consumed him
Getting so much larger than life...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
And the twelve-bar, anyone, anyone?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The rest of the gigs to see for April
Tonight (4/16)- Hey Rim Jeon @ Ryles
Tomorrow (4/17) - Fly @ Regattabar
Tomorrow- Roy Haynes Tribute w/Roy Hargrove @ Harvard University
Tomorrow- Jennifer Kimball @ Passim
Every Tuesday- Sessions Americana @ Lizard Lounge
Tuesday 4/21- New England Conservatory Jazz Composers' Ensemble
Wednesday 4/22 Kevin Harris Project @ Scullers
Thursday 4/23 Nick Payton @ Scullers
Friday 4/24 Frank Carlberg record release, followed by Allan Chase @ Lily Pad
4/25 starts "Jazz Week" in Boston (more on this later)
4/29 3 Play w/Phil Grenadier @ Lily Pad
4/30 Third World Love feat. Avishi Cohen @ Regattabar
4/30 Five Peace Band: Corea/McLaughlin/Garrett/McBride/Blade @ Berklee Performance Center
4/30 Jeff Galindo w/Jerry Bergonzi @ Beehive
5/2 Cuddle Magic @ Lizard Lounge
Florencio Gonzalez Big Band @ Ryles
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
More April gigs to see
Monday, March 23, 2009
For all, I care
The Bad Plus dissect their classical "covers" on the new album, with video and choreography to boot. I'm jealous, and now curious to hear about the cover covers. (The epic series of Wynton posts is great to, and has been discussed roundly on the interweb.)
Ryshpen thinks about how to approach the avant-garde if you're on the outside looking in.
The last month plus of stuff over at D:Out, especially the Ornette and the Headhunters stuff, is fantastic.
I'm baffled by twitter, much as I am by texting, but it certainly has possibilities as a kind of haiku, as being explored by old friend Jed Wilson and Christopher Walken. Also, many congratulations to Jed and his wife Deena on their new baby!
My bracket picks on Facebook are in the top 2 percent, with 15 of the Sweet 16 still in, which gets me a whopping 7,448th place. I'm so proud... (hides in corner)
Dave Douglas gets asked about practicing. Many of the responses are great, and I'll try to pick this thread up soon.
If you missed it, old friend Rudresh Mahanthappa was on Fresh Air earlier this month. The whole thing is great, but the sound clips of Carnatic saxophone playing blew my mind.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Gigs to see- March/early April
Best bets (three way tie)
3/20-21: Cassandra Wilson @ the Regattabar (waaay too expensive, but she is amazing)
3/28- huge bill of Quartet of Happiness, Scurvy, the amazing Mostly Other People Do the Killing and Ronald Reagan at the Cambridge Y
4/3- The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis @ Berklee Performance Center
Other good stuff
3/24- Jeremy Pelt @ Regattabar (so far I'm not convinced of him. Somebody change my mind)
3/26- Christian Scott Quintet @ Scullers
3/26-7- Kenny Barron @ Regattabar
3/28- Eric Friedlander @ Lily Pad
3/28 Jenny Scheinmann @ Regattabar (somebody tell me why they all have to be on the same night?)
4/3-4/4- John Scofield @ Regattabar
4/15 Florencia Gonzales Big Band @ Ryles
See a couple people I ain't got to in a minute.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
They'll help you conserve
Friday, January 23, 2009
Looking again, waiting to hear.
Finishing the thought behind that last post, while in hindsight I clearly chose a bad example to make my point, I'd like to hear other opinions, about my broader point. Too often, especially in Boston in the past couple of years, I've been frustrated by “performances” where the artists, often some young avant unit, play with no thought whatsoever given to the actual performing of the music beyond simply notes and rhythms- how they look, how they address the audience (or don't). And institutions, including schools, that seem to at least tolerate it, or at the worst encourage it. I don't know if it's ignorance, or some sort of artistic noblesse-oblige or just being dumb, but I've seen it enough recently to be bothered by it, and to wonder about what, if any, are the broader implications. Do we further marginalize the audience for this music when we play this way?
I'm no huge fan of all the rather archaic rituals that surround an orchestra concert- it's too stuffy for me, and often encourages an atmosphere that almost seems to encourage all but the cognizanti to stay away. (Which, I suppose at one time, may have been the whole point) But I feel there is a grave danger in going too far the other way, which I feel like I'm seeing a lot of, more than I'm used to, and much more than I'm comfortable with. Do I care too much about this? Thoughts?
These are extraordinary qualities.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Let All Those Who Do Justice and Love Mercy say Amen!
Monday, January 19, 2009
You look like what I hear
I honestly don't know what I thought of the piece one way or the other, because I couldn't get past seeing Mr. Kovler performing as the narrator in his own piece. He looked like he had just fallen out of bed- he wore a sweater with the collar rumpled up haphazardly, blue jeans and sneakers. His hair looked unkempt, his face like he hadn't shaved for three days. He looked so bizzarly out of place in front of the (generally very stylish, I might add) all black-clad orchestra. My date for the concert had the same reaction.
I wouldn't mention this, and I know maybe it's not fair to single Mr. Kovler out, but I've thought about it several times over the past year. I've gone to a show jazz, classical and otherwise, when paying sometimes substantial money to see a performance, and the performer dressing and acting on stage in a way that never acknowledges it. While I've never said anything, I've definitely noticed, and it's always I think subconsciously biased me against whoever I'm seeing. We're paying to see a performance, dammit, not just a string of notes, and I'd appreciate at least a modicum of effort to acknowledge that. Rock acts from The Clash to Coldplay to whoever certainly are very aware of that, no matter what they look like, and lots has been made over the years about how jazz musicians from Miles to Mingus to Duke to the Art Ensemble present a performance.
I'm not saying we should all go Young Lion again and wear suits to a $10 gig again- I would certainly hate it- but when I perform I think about what I wear for either fashion, or theatricality or both. If I'm soloing with an orchestra (which, of course, hasn't happened) I take that into account in how I dress. (If I'm going to or playing at Lily Pad or the Sidewalk in New York, obviously, I care a lot less) If he'd dressed in a way that acknowledged the material but wasn't "dressy", I know I'd have a different reaction, and might have heard the piece better.
While I'm grateful that the mores of concert performance have gotten a lot less stuffed shirt, have we gone too far the other way in the way we present music. In jazz and improvised music, has this been a detriment, a boon, or something else? Or am I getting too cranky in my old age? Thoughts/rants/feedback appreciated.
Friday, January 16, 2009
tea by sea by T buses
Rose afterwards in a little interview segment teased her about needing a band name, and a couple of the musicians present and I agreed that the music leans too heavily on Sufjan Stevens' influence. But she was asked back for an encore, and knocked us out again.
I mention this because Becca is playing Lily Pad tonight at 7pm. Go check her out, you won't be disappointed.
P.S. Due to the limits of my small reptilian brain I mixed Becca up with Jean Rohe, another up and coming New School grad, to her face. My apologies to both parties.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Music to see in Boston, Jan. 09
Highlight: Josh Redman double trio @ Berklee Performance Center, 1/22
1/17: Either/Orchestra @ Regattabar
1/20: Bill Frisell Trio @ Regattabar
1/23-4: Kenny Garrett @ Regattabar
1/23-4: Pat Martino at Scullers
Also, for some reason the Ryles schedule is not working online. Not a good sign. If you have it, or think I missed something, please e-mail me.
It's time for an orgy
Friday 1/15 8pm- Saturday 1/16 5am: History of Hip-Hop orgy
Saturday 1/16 5am -7pm Jazz Funk orgy. Should be a lot of the good, the bad and the ugly from the 70s.
Sunday 1/17 - Met broadcast of Doctor Atomic. Not an orgy, but something I'm excited for.
Tuesday 1/20 2pm- "Jazz for Change"
Thursday 1/22 to Friday 1/23, various times- Elliot Carter orgy
Tuesday 1/29- the John Zorn orgy.
I would note that compared to years past, this is a very weak orgy season for jazz, and just about everything non-classical. Do we really need days and days of Martinu, and only one orgy dedicated exclusively to anything even remotely jazz (Zorn)? I've been very disheartened recently with the Boston jazz scene, and particularly the media's indifference. For instance, in their year in review columns, the Boston Globe had classical and pop reviews from their big guns, but not a word about jazz. And they have Steve Greenlee, a very solid and underrated critic, is nowhere to be found. The Globe is currently in a crunch, like all papers, but to see jazz increasingly written off there is disturbing.
More soon...