Category Archives: Jazz

Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – Brooklyn Babylon

Posted on by Musicofourheart

The music of our heart’s road continually leads  me back to Brooklyn, New York. It has been said that Brooklyn is “The Music Capital of the World”. Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society is an 18 piece steampunk big band that hails from Brooklyn and presents us with interesting dimensionality of sound.

Their second CD, Brooklyn Babylon is a collaboration between the Secret Society leader, Argue and graphic novelist, Danijel Zezelj. Zezelj created the visuals that served as the backdrop for the 2011 Brooklyn Academy of Music world première and conceptualized the fictional story it tells.

I love engaging productions that tell significant stories that expand the consciousness. The babel construction forms a unique visual and aural sound-scape as this video attests.

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Music Journalism A-Z – Scott Yanow

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Scott Yanow

Photo: Here's a picture of my sweetie Scott Yanow that I took today. This picture will be on the back cover of his new book, The Great Jazz Guitarists that will be coming out this spring! It's his 11th book.Scott Yanow is a prolific American jazz historian and journalist. He is known for his many contributions to the Allmusic Website (See Scott’s Biography and Desert Island selections). He has written ten books on jazz and produced extensive library of jazz recording reviews for over 30 years. He has also created over 600 liner notes for various record labels.

His CD reviews are found at LA Scene a monthly West Coast jazz paper.

Books

  • Jazz On Film
  • Duke Ellington
  • Swing
  • Bebop
  • Afro-Cuban Jazz, ISBN 0-87930-619-X (2000)
  • Trumpet Kings
  • Classic Jazz
  • Jazz: A Regional Exploration
  • Jazz On Record 1917-76

The talented Dutch photographer Jaap van de Klomp traveled the world taking beautiful photos of the graves of scores of jazz immortals. The pictures along with 180 jazz musician biographies became the book,  Jazz Lives – Till We Shall Meet And Never Part.

Charlie Parker

Scott’s 11th book, The Great Jazz Guitarists Publisher: Backbeat Books will be coming out very soon! Scheduled Release Date: 4/2/2013

The Great Jazz Guitarists

The Oxford American, Southern Music Issue 2012, Louisiana

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I happened upon the Southern music 2012 issue of Oxford American at Barnes & Noble yesterday. I first blogged about their annual Southern music issue last year which covered Mississippi. The Winter 2012 issue is dedicated to the music and culture of the sovereign state of Louisiana.

I have visited New Orléans, Louisiana on multiple occasions in the past 30+ years. I love the rich heritage of jazz found there. My favorite time in New Orléans was in the early 80′s. I spent an evening spellbound sitting at the foot of jazz in the heart of the French Quarter at Preservation Hall, 726 St. Peter Street.

File:PreservationHall 2008.jpg

I sat on a dusty old sofa cushion witnessing the Kid Thomas Band perform traditional jazz dance band music for a diverse international audience. The people around me were from Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA. They were very friendly musicians who went about their craft with precision and grace. I purchased the “Kid” Thomas Valentine LP after the show to evidence my appreciation for their performance.

I am eager to delve deeper into this quality music magazine which is certain to increase my ever-increasing knowledge about Louisiana’s role in American roots music.

Mr. Wayne Shorter – Composer and Saxophonist

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Mr. Wayne Shorter as Carlos Santana lovingly calls him turns 80 years young this year on August 25th. I awoke this morning thinking about his brilliant legacy of jazz compositions and performances.

It’s going to be a rewarding year for us with Mr. Wayne Shorter.  I want to share two recent announcements about his career that I am truly excited about. The common chord struck in these events sounded by The Wayne Shorter Quartet.

1) Newport Jazz Festival 2013

Wayne Shorter's 80th Birthday Celebration

Wayne Shorter will be honored at the 59th annual Newport Jazz Festival this year on Saturday August 3rd. There will be an 80th birthday celebration for him. Wayne Shorter will appear with his stunning quartet that includes Danilo Perez (pianist), John Pattituci (bassist),  and Brian Blade (drummer). There will also be guest stars and friends playing which includes his close friend Herbie Hancock.

2) The Wayne Shorter Quartet – Without A Net

The Wayne Shorter Quartet recording Without A Net was first brought to my attention by the NPR Jazz blog, A Blog Supreme.  It is highlighted that consensus will prove Without A Net as top of the 15 jazz albums to look out for in 2013. We are getting closer to the actual drop date of that recording, February 5th. I hope you feel the electricity for the eminent release of Without A Net.

On February 1, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Quartet will perform four compositions by Shorter alongside works by Beethoven and Ives at Carnegie Hall.

Without A Net is a 9-track musical thrill ride that consists of live recordings from the Wayne Shorter Quartet’s European tour in late 2011, the one exception being the 23-minute tone poem “Pegasus” which features the quartet with The Imani Winds recorded at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The album features six new Shorter compositions, as well as new versions of his tunes “Orbits” (from Miles Davis’ Miles Smiles album) and “Plaza Real” (from the Weather Report album Procession). The quartet also reinvents the title song from the 1933 musical film Flying Down To Rio, which film buffs know as the first on-screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Cover of "Mimiles"

Rudresh Mahanthappa – Gamak

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sampleWe love being patrons of the arts. Our proximity to Yale University and the cultural scene in New Haven, Ct. has a deep appeal for us.

The Yale School of Music Concert Series is featuring for the 40th year, the Ellington Jazz Series.

Image

We are planning to attend the Rudresh Mahanthappa‘s Gamak concert on February 22nd at Morse Recital Hall. I have been very interested in catching Rudresh live for some time now.  I had given thought to going into NY City to see him play. We’re glad he’s appearing so close by next month.

Gamak

Gamak is Rudresh Mahanthappa’s next recording which drops on January 29th. You can stream it in its entirety on NPR Music First Listen until then.

Gamak, coming from the South Indian term for melodic ornamentation gamaka, signifies universal sense of how one can approach melody as both composer and improviser. The music put forth incorporates Western forms of jazz, progressive rock, heavy metal, country, American folk, go-go, and ambient while simultaneously engaging the rich traditions of Indian, Chinese, African, and Indonesian music. The end result is music that defies category, music that very much fits with the times in which we live.

Rudresh has regrouped with longtime partners and friends François Moutin and Dan Weiss with whom he has not recorded since the 2006 release codebook. As fellow members of Jack DeJohnette’s band, he’s been privileged to develop a wonderful musical relationship with the ever-inventive David Fiuczynski. Most of this music was written with him in mind and he breathes new life into the sound of Rudresh’s new quartet.

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Muddy Waters – Folk Singer

Posted on by Musicofourheart

NPR Jazz’s Take 5 Weekly Jazz sampler on A Blog Supreme features five great blues songs chosen by Nick Morrison

5 Blues Songs That Feel Your Midwinter Chill

This blues song, “Cold Weather Blues”  from my favorite blues artists, Muddy Waters will surely cure your Winter blues.

Cover art to Muddy Waters' Folk Singer LP.

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We Mourn The Loss of Claude Nobs

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I am sad to learn that we have lost our patriarch of live jazz music. An intimate friend to musicians and music fans all over the world.

We salute you Claude. Your 46 year commitment to the Montreux Jazz Festival and the merits of live music lives on in all the music of our hearts.

Proud of Ted Kurland Associates and Their Artists’s Grammy Nominations

Posted on by Musicofourheart

The music industry is built upon solid reputation and focused management. I have always deeply respected Ted Kurland Associates as the “Gold Standard” for artist management and representation. Ten years ago I contacted their office about  wanting to meet Pat Metheny after a concert for a possible autograph and photograph. The person I spoke to at their office was cordial to me as a fan and told me exactly how to carry out that aim. Sure enough it worked just like she told me and I got my wish to meet Pat Metheny, say hello, get a photo and have him sign some mementos for me. A pivotal private moment for me as a Pat Metheny fan, one I cherish :)

I  gained a strong appreciation for Ted Kurland Associates ever since that night. I saw how uniquely they manage, publicize and represent their roster of artists. I am proud to share with the readers of MusicOfOurHeart that Ted Kurland Associates and artists have accumulated the most Grammy nominations ever this year, 13 for 2013 to be precise.

ChickandGary

I can’t think of a better tribute to Ted Kurland Associates and their artists than this achievement. I hope it yields the highest amount of Grammy Awards next year for all involved!

46y43

Keep it going Ted Kurland Associates and your extended team :)

For Immediate Release

TKA ARTISTS SCORE 13 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS
GrammyTed Kurland Associates is pleased to announce eight of our artists have earned a grand total of 13 Grammy nominations.Topping the list are the collaborations of Chick Corea and Gary Burton with three nominations, along with two more individual nominations for Corea. Arturo Sandoval also earned three nominations, followed by Pat Metheny, Ute Lemper, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ravi Coltrane, and Quetzal each garnering nominations:Best Improvised Jazz Solo
* Cross Roads - Ravi Coltrane, soloist
* Hot House - Gary Burton & Chick Corea, soloists
* Alice In Wonderland - Chick Corea, soloist

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
* Further Explorations - Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez & Paul Motian
* Hot House - Chick Corea & Gary Burton
* Unity Band – Pat Metheny Unity Band

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
* Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You) - Arturo Sandoval

Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album
* Imaginaries - Quetzal

Best Children’s Album
* Jumpinjazz Kids – A Swinging Jungle Tale – Featuring Al Jarreau, Hubert Laws And Dee Dee Bridgewater - James Murray & Various Artists

Best Instrumental Composition
* Mozart Goes Dancing - Chick Corea, Composer (Chick Corea & Gary Burton)

Best Instrumental Arrangement

* A Night In Tunisia (Actually An Entire Weekend!) – Wally Minko, Arranger (Arturo Sandoval)
* Salt Peanuts! (Mani Salado) – Gordon Goodwin, Arranger (Arturo Sandoval)

Classical Vocal Solo
* Paris Days, Berlin Nights - Ute Lemper (Stefan Malzew & Vogler Quartet)

Founded in 1975, our artists have received numerous Grammy nominations and awards. This year’s 13 nominations are the most earned in a single year in the history of the company.

Media Contact:

David Greenberg

Director of Marketing  |  TED KURLAND ASSOCIATES  |  davidg@tedkurland.com  |  1.617.254.0007

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Mourning the Passing of Dave Brubeck

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We mourn the loss of jazz great, Dave Brubeck who died this morning at the Norwalk Hospital. Dave Brubeck was a Father  in jazz and life. We add our voice through the music of our heart as we pay tribute in honor of his memory. We learned that he passed away one day shy of his 92nd birthday. His music legacy lives on in each of us as we travel towards the light.

Let us reflect on the man, his music and the quartet he loved to play with as we watch and listen to the timeless classic, “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet from the 1959 album Time Out.

We’ll miss you Dave, please prepare a place for us :)

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme

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It’s Sunday and the music of our heart turns to the spiritual faith of what it has been taught by those who channel God into our being. What better way to acknowledge the almighty than to receive His spirit through “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane.