Archives for August 2011

Bill Crow sent an alert to a clip of the amazing musician Damian Draghici. Tricked by memory, I could have sworn that I had posted the video a few months ago, but the staff’s thorough search of the Rifftides archive turned up no trace of it. Draghici is a Romanian Gypsy as celebrated in his … [Read more...]

Here’s something to engross you as you prepare for a new week. A man named Dan Cohen animates music in the most fundamental and entertaining way. You have no doubt heard the Miles Davis Sextet playing “So What” often enough that you can sing along with the solos. Well, in fairness, it would … [Read more...]

Here is a weekend roundup of diversions or attractions for those Rifftides readers with nothing better to do on an August weekend; dodging Hurricane Irene, for instance. 1: Lester Young. This is one of the rare instances of The President performing on film. It is a kinescope of an episode of … [Read more...]

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Harry Connick and Branford Marsalis vowed to see that New Orleans musicians affected by the storm would get long-term help. Six years of their hard work and the cooperation of hundreds of others are about to make a tangible difference in the city’s musical … [Read more...]

Kristin Korb, you may recall, plays the bass as she sings or sings as she plays the bass. Take your pick; she does both equally well. This video is from a house-party concert she gave last year. The event was called Spring Soiree. The house provided a splendid view of the lights of Los Angeles. … [Read more...]

I had hoped to include in the post below something from André Previn, who was Mr. Rasey’s colleague in the studios and, like him, is one of the few remaining members of the remarkable MGM orchestra of the 1940s and ‘50s. My request for a few words from Maestro Previn made its way to him a day … [Read more...]

Today, trumpet players the world over are celebrating Uan Rasey's 90th birthday. Listeners and moviegoers might be celebrating, too, if they knew that Rasey’s horn is the one they have heard gracing the sound tracks of some of the best-known films from the glory days of Hollywood. Among the … [Read more...]

My peripheral involvement in Bob Belden’s Miles Español project has refired a longstanding interest in music that combines Latin and jazz elements. A story by Larry Rohter in today’s New York Times added more fuel. It is about the restoration and DVD release of a film that played an influential … [Read more...]

At this hour in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Laurie Verchomin is celebrating the 82nd anniversary of Bill Evans’ birth. She is at Alberta College reading from her book about the brief, intense relationship with the pianist that inspired him to write “Laurie.” The composition became a central … [Read more...]

There is more to jazz in Montreal than the sprawling festival that takes place in the Canadian city every summer. Keeping up with developments there is easier because of the work of filmmaker Randy Cole (pictured). Cole’s latest short film is about the influence of a new daughter on the life and … [Read more...]

Gordon Jenkins (pictured) wrote the music and Joe Bishop the words to “Blue Prelude” in 1933. Shortly after, the Isham Jones band introduced the song on record. In the reed section was a young saxophonist and clarinetist named Woody Herman, who ultimately became leader of a cooperative band that … [Read more...]

The Rifftides staff is springing—well, easing—(all right, slouching) back into action after near-total immersion in the Miles Español project described three items down. Here is a pleasant way to do it. Word from Sweden is that the Ystad Jazz Festival organized and supervised by … [Read more...]

Blogging here has slowed in the past few days and may not pick up markedly for a few more. The Rifftides staff is on deadline for an historical essay to accompany Bob Belden’s Miles Español film project. The research has had to be deeper, wider and more intense than I imagined when I said yes to … [Read more...]

This item from trumpeter Mike Vax has popped up in various places on the web in the past couple of days. It is dated August 3. I just talked with Gwen Terry. Clark Terry had surgery on his right leg to remove some blockage and the operation went very well. I will be talking with Clark … [Read more...]

In the right-hand column under Doug's Picks, you will find recommendations of new CDs by a daring pianist, a daring duo and a daring singer. For now, last month's DVD and book picks remain on the main page. New ones will follow——sooner or later. … [Read more...]