Blogger John Salmon of Magritte's Apple writes a followup to the recent review of a Dave Brubeck concert: I did a little review of Dave's Mass the other day. Randy Jones and Bobby Militello are veterans of the Maynard Ferguson band, one of jazz's great farm teams. When Bobby was on MF's band he … [Read more...]

Thanks in DOUGS PICKS for recommending the superb album "'Round Midnight" by Alan Broadbent. Broadbent doesn't overwhelm with technique for its own sake, but his measured and tasteful playing remain with you. However, if its "chops" you want, listen to the blistering performance on "The Man I … [Read more...]

My piece in this morning's Wall Street Journal is about the brain connection between music and sports. As someone who writes about and plays music, I would be the last to disagree with William Congreve that music hath charms. But silence has charms, too, and it’s getting hard to find. When … [Read more...]

Entries continue to arrive in the unlikely-pairings sweepstakes. As we head into the weekend, here’s the latest batch. Doug, Here are a few "Odd Couplings": Gary Burton & Stephane Grappelli - Paris Encounter - Atlantic Barry Harris with Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Charlie Rouse, & Roswell Rudd - … [Read more...]

I'm grateful to your readers for their many excellent and interesting suggestions. And best of all, I can't help but marvel at the friendly and civil nature of the responses. So much of the web, and blogs in particular, is marred by snarkiness run amok. What a pleasant surprise it is to find a … [Read more...]

Bob Coughlin, a longtime Dave Brubeck aficionado, attended a concert by the Brubeck quartet the other night, took notes, and posted his review on the Brubeck e-mail listserve. I thought it deserved wider dissemination. The quartet has the same musicians it has had for years—Brubeck, alto … [Read more...]

Ladies and gentlemen, in the exhibit to your right you will find a new assortment of Doug's Picks. I know, I know; it's about time. I've been busy. You'll be busy too, but deliriously happy, if you adopt the recommendations. Good listening, viewing and reading to you, and happy February. … [Read more...]

Eric Felten’s call for suggestions of odd or unexpected pairings brought enough responses that we’ll run them in two installments. My first thought was simply to list the names of the musicians and their performances, but the comments accompanying your messages were as interesting as the … [Read more...]

Click on the highlighted words to link to the recordings. My hometown friend Bob Godfrey offered three nominations: Thelonious Monk and Pee Wee Russell Count Basie and Teresa Brewer Count Basie and Oscar Peterson Basie and Peterson recorded Satch Meets Josh in 1974 and followed it up over the years … [Read more...]

A last-minute contribution from a Rifftides reader who identifies himself only as John. Worked: Don Pullen and the Chief Cliff Singers. (Sacred Common Ground, a collaboration between the pianist's avant garde African Brazilian Connection and a Native American vocal group. DR) Didn't (at least for … [Read more...]

I would gladly give all my symphonies, had I been able to invent the locomotive. —Anton Dvo"ák “Happy Go Lucky Local”...told the story of a train in the South, not one of those luxurious, streamlined trains that take tourists to Miami, but a little train with an upright engine that was never … [Read more...]

Very good site! Poishi … [Read more...]

This week, Jackie Cain, the surviving member of the vocal duo Jackie and Roy, sang with some of their arrangements from nearly half a century ago. Ms. Cain’s angelic voice, an instrument of purity and tonal accuracy rarely equaled in any area of music, has seldom been heard since Roy Kral, her … [Read more...]

Eric Felten—trombonist, singer, bandleader and occasional Wall Street Journal contributor—is asking for Rifftiders’ suggestions, to wit: The other day I heard a cut that I had heard a time or two before, "Shine On Harvest Moon," with that remarkably odd combination of Jimmy Rushing and the … [Read more...]

I saw a sign, beautifully hand-lettered, in front of a garden apartment not far from my house. WELCOME: FRIENDS BUTTERFLIES LADYBUGS BEES A good thought on a frigid January day. … [Read more...]

Several Rifftides readers have written that they regret not having been at the International Association of Jazz Educators bash in New York. Many of them were disappointed at not hearing the conversation between Ira Gitler and Sonny Rollins. Because of that session’s overlap with one I did, there … [Read more...]

The web site jazzstandards.com has added a Paul Desmond page with a biography and links to Desmond CDs and books. The site offers resources to researchers and entertainment to browsers. Fair warning: one thing leads to another on jazzstandards.com. Be prepared to spend time. … [Read more...]

In the current issue of The Village Voice, critic Francis Davis assesses venerable jazz survivors. Here's his lead: The votes are in: Monk and Coltrane at Carnegie Hall in 1957, my choice as the best jazz CD released in 2005, is the winner in JazzTimes' critics' poll, scoring 165 points to 87 for … [Read more...]

Once in a while, the Rifftides staff checks the traffic report to see where our postings are being read. The most recent sampling includes: Cremorne, Victoria, Australia Manchester; London; Elsfield, Oxfordshire; and Hampstead Norris, West Berkshire, England Bors, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden Beijing, … [Read more...]