The great Brazilian bossa nova pioneer turned 80 in June and will be giving a concert in Rio de Janeiro on November 15, Brazil's Republic Day. For details, go here. If you don't read Portuguese, just enjoy the graphics and his singing in the background. Then watch this video of Gilberto … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2011
A Birthday Twofer: Geller and Woods
Two alto saxophonists who came to prominence in the second wave of bebop celebrated birthdays on the same day this week. On Wednesday, November 2, Herb Geller (on the right) turned 83, Phil Woods, (left) 80. Geller has lived in Hamburg, Germany, since 1965. Woods lives in Delaware Water Gap, … [Read more...]
Compatible Quotes: On Being A Musician
If I can’t play music, what am I gonna do? Music keeps people sane. When you enjoy yourself, most of the time the people who are listening to you enjoy it.—Zoot Sims My life has always been my music, it's always come first, but the music ain't worth nothing if you can't lay it on … [Read more...]
New Recommendations
Immediately below and in the right-hand column under Doug's Picks, you will find the Rifftides staff's current recommendations: CDs by a bassist leading his first big band, a saxophonist who melds his American and Indian influences, and a timeless mainstream cornetist. Also, a DVD with Zoot Sims at … [Read more...]
CD: Ron Carter
Ron Carter’s Great Big Band (Sunnyside) The venerable bassist’s first recording at the helm of a big band has style, depth and power. The playlist of jazz standards may suggest that Carter and arranger Robert Freedman are plowing old ground, but they produce a crop of fresh ideas. They … [Read more...]
CD: Rudresh Mahanthappa
Rudresh Mahanthappa, Samdhi (ACT) This is the latest chapter in the alto saxophonist’s accommodation of his Indian cultural heritage to his American jazz ethos. Or is it the other way around? He combines electric guitar, electric bass, drums, the astonishing South Indian percussionist Anantha … [Read more...]
CD: Ray Skjelbred, Jim Goodwin
Ray Skjelbred & Jim Goodwin, Recorded Live in Port Costa (Orangapoid) A couple of years ago I wrote about the night I discovered Jim Goodwin’s cornet playing and became an instant fan: “His solos had echoes and intimations of Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Ruby Braff, Max Kaminsky and Wild … [Read more...]
DVD: Zoot Sims
Zoot Sims, In A Sentimental Mood (MVD) We see the tenor saxophonist sitting on a couch telling bassist Red Mitchell about his treasured old horn. Then the two and guitarist Rune Gustafsson play “In a Sentimental Mood.†Sims tells about Benny Goodman stealing his apple, and they play “Gone … [Read more...]
Book: Hershorn on Granz
Tad Hershorn, Norman Granz, The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice (California) In his biography of the concert, recording and equal rights trailblazer, Hershorn praises Granz’s achievements as thoroughly as he examines the impresario’s notoriously abrasive manner. In the balance, Granz emerges as … [Read more...]
Walter Norris, 1931-2011
Pianist Walter Norris died this week at his home in Berlin. He was two months short of his 80th birthday. Because of his early recording with Ornette Coleman and later experimental work, he is often described as associated primarily with free jazz, but Norris’s stylistic range was virtually … [Read more...]