Let me take you where classic jazz was made back in the day. We'll meet not in some dark smoky Greenwich Village bar but on a quiet lane in Dix Hills. Indeed, important jazz landmarks lie well beyond the five boroughs and past big-city limits. The roots of a musical genre and a culture identified as a quintessentially urban American experience are nonetheless planted in … [Read more...] about a home supreme
the skinny on fats
It's rare irony that finds me frustrated about missing a significant New Orleans musicial moment because I'm still in New Orleans: Fats Domino makes his first appearance in New York in two decades on Thursday, Nov. 8th at Pink Elephant (a benefit for the Tipitina's Foundation). Here's my Village Voice piece with more background. … [Read more...] about the skinny on fats
a tale of terence blanchard’s will (the full story)
Those who attended Terence Blanchard's Saturday night concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at Tulane University's Dixon Hall heard the trumpeter tell his story through music. And as Blanchard led his quintet and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra through the music of his latest Blue Note CD, A Tale of God's Will, largely drawn from his score to Spike Lee's HBO … [Read more...] about a tale of terence blanchard’s will (the full story)
a chief and a duke
"Of all the suits I made, there's a better one in my head. And I got to get it out." --Big Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana, from an interview in Royce Osborn's "All on a Mardi Gras Day" "Which of your tunes do you think is the best?" "The one coming up tomorrow. Always." --Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, from a TV interview included in Ken Burns's "Jazz" … [Read more...] about a chief and a duke
stomping something sacred
When cops converge and musicians get arrested while singing a hymn, something unholy is afoot. Below is my piece posted today at Salon.com that discusses this latest chapter in the post-Katrina fight for culture in New Orleans. This was big news in New Orleans, and has stimulated much local debate: The issues raised deserve national attention. I'd be glad to hear your comments … [Read more...] about stomping something sacred