I guess right now I’m thinking about singers. On Sunday night, I heard Buika. Concha Buika, who goes by only her surname, was born in the Mediterranean island of Majorca, where her parents settled after fleeing the repressive government of Equatorial Guinea. She sings with an emotional style drawn from Gypsy and flamenco music, and a rasp in her voice and a feel for the blues … [Read more...] about buika’s spell & boutté’s magic
music
in praise of community organizers
Remember four years ago, when Obama was running for president and Sarah Palin mocked the very notion of a community organizer? The Jazz Journalists Association has what they call a blogathon going on through April 30th, and the theme is community. It's hard to write about jazz and not be thinking about community--my community and jazz's presence in it, and the many … [Read more...] about in praise of community organizers
remembering sam rivers
Like so many music lovers, I'm mourning the death of Sam Rivers. I heard Sam play a few times, late in his life. Never back in the day, at the RivBea loft, though. But I do have a very clear memory of attending Jason Moran's sessions that led to his 2001 release Black Stars, at Systems Two in Brooklyn. Jason was maybe 25 at the time, Sam 77. Saxophonist Greg Osby, in … [Read more...] about remembering sam rivers
my long story on trombone shorty
JAZZIZ MagazineCover Story, Winter 2011Out of New Orleans The remarkable rise of Trombone ShortyBy Larry Blumenfeld Click on Winter Issue to PreviewHurricane Irene bore down on New York City in late August. The forecasts sounded dire. An email from a Long Island music club called Stephen Talkhouse announced that a scheduled performance by Trombone Shorty and his … [Read more...] about my long story on trombone shorty
paul motian, 1931-2011
Aside from his prowess as a drummer, his restless need to invent on the bandstand and his compassionate embrace of musical partners young and old, famous and not, Paul Motian, who died very early this morning at 80, was a real person. The kind you need to meet and sit with a while to understand. And then you get up and leave, feeling better and wiser in ways you can't yet … [Read more...] about paul motian, 1931-2011