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Rifftides

Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...

Archives for September 2008

Bob Brookmeyer, 1978

September 15, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

Following a brief Rifftides review of the CD reissue of two of Bob Brookmeyer's 1954 quartet recordings, Bill Kirchner wrote to recommend Back Again. It is a Brookmeyer quintet album that I didn't know existed. I acquired it quickly and have been listening to it with interest and pleasure over the … [Read more...]

Book News: Shameless Plug

September 15, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

The publisher of Poodie James has reduced the price of my novel. My slight loss in royalties is your gain. Ordering direct from the publisher benefits everyone on the writing and production end. From a review: I'll cut to the chase: Poodie James is a very good book. Not only is it handsomely and … [Read more...]

Other Matters: Chipping Away At The VOA

September 13, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

With esteem for the United States at a low ebb around the world, the government continues to dismantle the Voice Of America, for more than half a century one of the nation's most effective creators of good will abroad. The Washington Post reports on the latest VOA service to be stilled by the Bush … [Read more...]

Other Places: Benny Golson At Length

September 12, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

On Jazz Wax, Marc Myers's marathon interview with tenor saxophonist, arranger and composer Benny Golson (pictured) started running on September 8 and winds up today. If you are put off by transcribed verbatim interviews, never fear. Myers edits with care, provides appropriate web links and … [Read more...]

Lionel Hampton And Quincy Jones

September 11, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

The September Jazz Times has my rather long review of Mosaic's box of Lionel Hampton's small-band recordings from the late 1930s and early forties. The five CDs contain a sizeable percentage of the best combo music of the period. From the review: RCA Victor's formula was simple: put the exciting … [Read more...]

Other Places: Keepnews And Wall Street

September 10, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

Those unfamiliar with The Wall Street Journal, might be surprised to learn of its cultural component. The newspaper's Personal Journal section has frequent profiles, reviews and backgrounders involving painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, dance--the whole range of cultural interests. The … [Read more...]

Other Matters: September Morn

September 10, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

As I set out for a bicycle ride, this is what I saw across a corner of the garden. It was a good way to start the day. … [Read more...]

The Former Portland Jazz Festival

September 9, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

The Portland PDX Jazz Festival is thriving. The main message of the 2008 post below is drastically out of date. The Portland community came to the festival's rescue in 2009 and it has been doing fine ever since. For the 2017 schedule, go here."  I kind of like the Bill Frisell review in this old … [Read more...]

Lester Young: Compatible Quotes And A Movie

September 8, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

Rifftides postings have been seldom lately because I'm working on a magazine piece about the resuscitation of Lester Young's tenor saxophone and the consequent revival of a band devoted to his music. More about that later. In the meantime, here's a set of thoughts from and about Prez. Well, … [Read more...]

Arne Domnérus

September 4, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

The list of veterans of the glory days of modern jazz in Sweden grew significantly shorter on Tuesday with the death of Arne Domnérus at the age of eighty-three. The alto saxophonist and clarinetist came to popular attention in the late 1940s and early 1950s as one of the most adroit disciples … [Read more...]

Domnérus In Action

September 4, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

Despite his ability early in his career to approximate Charlie Parker, throughout Arne Domnérus's life, Benny Carter remained a primary inspiration. In this 2000 performance in Paris with pianist Claes Crona, Domnérus thoroughly explores Carter's "When Lights Are Low." … [Read more...]

Other Places: JazzWax on Louis and Bix

September 1, 2008 by Doug Ramsey

The Bix Beiderbecke discussion that began here last week has spread to other precincts of the internet, most recently in an entry on Marc Myers's JazzWax. Marc builds on what he points out is an absurd trumped-up competition, Beiderbecke vs. Louis Armstrong; as if music was boxing, a track event or … [Read more...]

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Doug Ramsey

Doug is a recipient of the lifetime achievement award of the Jazz Journalists Association. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, where he settled following a career in print and broadcast journalism in cities including New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Antonio, … [MORE]

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