Archives for May 2015

Since Rifftides began, every year on May 30 I have posted something about Paul Desmond. He died thirty-eight years ago today. For reasons that I cannot clearly identify, this year I struggled with the idea. Until the last moment I put off the remembrance and finally concluded that the best option … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="EBevE4XbOj4xXslblynsqxdknye4NgvQ"] The modern jazz sub-genre called jazz fusion emerged in the 1960s, attracted a wide audience and received extensive radio air play through the second half of the twentieth century. The music combined elements of rhythm and blues, … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="Esa5Li0CUDw01UgIBG66dwwzlAwBhhH0"] …in 90-degree weather was illuminated by sun reflecting on clouds a few hours away from becoming thunderheads... (I managed to stay under 35 MPH). There were plenty of roadside attractions, including wildflowers blooming … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="ewnHiKyMrJjDinBPTTFi1SiheoxOr78V"] In an op-ed column in the weekend Wall Street Journal, Jerry Cianciolo urges readers to visit their local World War II memorials—nearly every town has one—look at the names, touch them and think about the sacrifices they … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="ntNtxJ0KVOSNGluQ490qYG4RGcdjT2vy"] Following yesterday’s post about recently deceased musicians, a Rifftides reader who identifies himself only as Derrick sent a message: I just heard that Ron Crotty, the original bassist of The Dave Brubeck Quartet, died just … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="1ACj3YHM4fARVOLVcvwKlymjB7FS1kb6"] Rifftides was never meant to be an obituary service, but who might have expected that so many people of high accomplishment and value would die in a so short a period. Ignoring their departures would be impossible. Ralph Waldo Emerson … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="GUKVg7zf9uSFF0Hrysj5OWZkJvGPN9DR"] Luis Perdomo, Twenty-Two (Hot Tone Music) The title observes the number of years since the pianist moved from his native Venezuela to New York City. In that time Perdomo has established a musical personality apart from the … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="J8l0BaQiYrMjSaXcuEW59XaNBFWlp7LE"] Following yesterday’s Rifftides post announcing the Jazz Journalists Association poll winners, vibraharpist Charlie Shoemake commented: Randy Weston has had a long and distinguished career as have many of the other deserving … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="RO9eXSF87CidlGsfzWbM1VNpJjmVvGUh"] The Jazz Journalists Association has named 89-year-old pianist, composer and bandleader Randy Weston winner of the JJA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2015. Weston’s 66-year career began in his native New York. In his early years … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="rAHk4ReydpHq2l57Qoln96dTIOznfbtm"] When trumpeter Bobby Shew left Los Angeles after years of work in big bands and the film and recording studios of L.A., he made a major commitment to education. From his home in New Mexico, he travels in the US, Asia and Europe for … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="Hn8GNlPmJNjvWy4Ag8HsjmKWtszLKlzT"] An international campaign is underway to win national recognition for Willis Conover, the Voice Of America broadcaster who sent American jazz to millions of listeners around the world. A petition drive is aimed at persuading the … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="5mkdM9mrAeJovro2BKJRTicbCcDXZvvR"] A recent discussion among jazz researchers centered on the evolution of instrumentation as big bands changed through the decades. The conversation developed into exchanges about not only the makeup of band sections—rhythm, brass … [Read more...]

Jim Wilke’s Jazz Northwest promises a potpourri of music so interesting that wherever you're planning to spend the weekend, you might want to have along a radio, cell phone, iPad or other listening device. Mr. Wilke's announcement serves as a reminder that Seattle has a busy jazz scene. The … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="MEYFVjxqnP84uoixbk5LZsPvVZCOBWgY"] Following yesterday's Rifftides commentary about the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, I heard from fellow jazz journalist Larry Blumenfeld (pictured). Larry is a New Yorker who in recent years has spent much of his time in New … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="exUJ7J1d3pgXzk4wi7BnL9Zl7n39yWLl"] The 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival wrapped up last Friday. Mark Hertsgaard’s Daily Beast review of the festival includes this lament. Yet for all of Jazz Fest’s celebration of the music, food and culture of New … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="sMGM8cG08ryrXOYHzEgAZ4vXksuVIp6M"] Like any good independent self-promoting professional, Mike Greensill sends occasional email messages about what he and his wife, Wesla Whitfield, are up to. He’s a pianist. She’s a singer. They live in California’s Napa Valley, … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="0eCEhVVbni7MEcrKlqvuPB6dd1e0BMWx"] Dan Brubeck, Live From The Cellar: Celebrating The Music And Lyrics Of Dave & Iola Brubeck (Blue Forest Records) On the eve of his 60th birthday, Dave and Iola Brubeck’s drummer son releases his first album as a leader. A … [Read more...]