By Roger Crane, the Song Scout Introduction For the third entry in this “Obscure but Worthy” song series I present “Early Autumn” which is, thanks to the Stan Getz memorable recording, perhaps not too obscure among jazz fans. But, although the song with Johnny Mercer lyrics is noted abroad, it is comparatively little known in… Read More Obscure but Worthy: Looking at Revivable Songs, “Early Autumn”
By Norton Wright Los Angeles, CA. Trying to review a performance of pianist Alan Broadbent is like trying to describe lightning in a bottle. Broadbent’s playing is electrifying, so charged with power, substance, and beauty that descriptions like “swinging,” “groovy,” “funky,” etc. are wholly inadequate. On Saturday night at the elegant and so well-suited Zipper… Read More Live Jazz: Alan Broadbent At Zipper Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
By Devon (Doc) Wendell So April is Jazz Appreciation Month. I don’t know exactly what this means but I hope it will have a positive impact upon jazz and the jazz community. Jazz has really taken a beating from the outside world; from the false representation of jazz education in last year’s award winning film… Read More A Twist Of Doc: Jazz Appreciation Month
Saturday, February 28, 2015 10:00 a.m. Officiated by Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III The Abyssinian Baptist Church 132 Odell Clark Place (West 138th Street between Lenox Ave. & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.) New York, New York 10030 The services will take place on Saturday to send home our beloved Clark Terry. Clark peacefully went… Read More Funeral: For Clark Terry
By Don Heckman It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving Day has arrived. And here’s my annual, continual and growing list of the many reasons I have to be thankful. Let’s start with my most important reasons to be thankful: For my beautiful, loving, caring wife: Faith For my two incomparable children: Allegra and Alex… Read More Here, There & Everywhere: The Music (And More) That I’m Thankful For
Impressions from MJF 56, Sunday By Michael Katz Sunday brought its share of legendary virtuosos to the Monterey Fairgrounds, but before we go there, a word about the kids. Jazz education is the mission of the MJF, and Sunday afternoon demonstrated how successful they have gotten at it. The Night Club had healthy audiences to… Read More Live Jazz: Sunday at the Monterey Jazz Festival 56
Hans Groiner (Larry Goldings in disguise) offers some new perspectives on the music of the inimitable Thelonious Monk — with a few laughs along the way.
By Brian Arsenault When I first heard Bird: The Savoy Recordings so many year ago I thought that Charlie Parker must be from a different place, a different planet, somewhere in a galaxy far far way. And I was sort of right. He was from the remarkable jazz planet of Kansas City, Missouri in the… Read More Book Review: “Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker,” by Chuck Haddix
By Don Heckman Kenny Burrell took a break Friday night from his academic duties at U.C.L.A., where he has been the driving force behind the establishment – and the expansion – of the University’s superb jazz program. Working with his quartet at Catalina Bar and Grill, his far-ranging performance recalled some of the high points… Read More Live Jazz: The Kenny Burrell Quintet at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman The jazz encyclopedist is at it again. Scott Yanow, who must have reviewed every jazz recording released since 1975, when he turned 21, has published his eleventh jazz book. Not to mention the myriad of magazine and newspaper reviews, bios, press releases and more that he has written along the way. Following… Read More Books: Scott Yanow’s “The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide”
The International Review of Music 