I was curious about the tunes in guitarist John Stowell's CD Swan Tones, Volume 1. so I asked him about those that he based on the harmonic structures of standard songs. Here is his reply: "Wiil We Be One?" is based on "You and The Night and the Music" (second line of the lyric) "Hot Flash" is an … [Read more...]

Rifftides reader Hans Christian Dörrscheidt writes from Germany: Having listened to Barnet's various bands from the 30s-60s a lot recently, I'd agree with Cannonball's description. While Barnet probably won't be counted among the great innovators of jazz saxophone playing, he certainly was a very … [Read more...]

With the blazingly honest message heading, "Terrible Pun," Rifftides reader Don Frese writes from the University of Maryland: As part of my last duties as a librarian before retirement, I am wading through Garrison & Morton's Medical Bibliography to identify which historically important books we … [Read more...]

Charlie Barnet was one of the first guys I thought was unique. I can tell you step-wise how the alto players got to me. The first one I knew played alto was Jimmy Dorsey. Then Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter and Willie Smith. Then when I first heard Charlie Paker I heard something different, really … [Read more...]

Tony Scott's death at eighty-five in Rome on March 28 set off a flurry of remembering by people who may not have thought about him for years. A clarinetist with a large sense of daring, a massive sound and nearly supernatural upper range, Scott was an important player in the New York bebop milieu of … [Read more...]

My internet service provider, Charter Communications (remember that name) is providing internet service hit or miss today. Mostly miss. When it gets on an even keel, Rifftides will resume posting. Mostly hit. Thank you for your patience. … [Read more...]

The Spoleto Festival USA chamber group is on tour in the Pacific Northwest under the direction of the festival's founding director, the venerable and irrepressible Charles Wadsworth. Friday night in the Spoletinians' (new word) concert at The Seasons, Cellist Andres Diaz and violinist Chee-Yun … [Read more...]

There seems to be concern among its competitors in internet technology that YouTube will rule the world. I suppose that no one is in favor of universal domination--except, possibly, YouTube--but when they come up with clips like this one from the 1983 Aurex Jazz Festival in Japan, they deserve … [Read more...]

allaboutjazz.com is out with its annual April 1st collection of reviews covering previously undiscovered jazz albums. It contains several surprising disclosures, including this one from Ken Dryden's review of Paul Desmond's Autumn Leaves: The Lost Vocal Session. It was recorded during the making of … [Read more...]

Vibraharpist, composer, teacher and entrepeneur Charlie Shoemake writes from Cambria, California: Regarding a recent column of yours about the shrinking audience for jazz, I'm happy to report that our concert series here in Cambria is now in its sixteenth year and though we broke an attendance … [Read more...]

In the adjoining column, you will find five new Doug's Picks; three CDs, a DVD and a book. A long time ago, we eliminated the food category. No one noticed, and it's not coming back. As for the promise of more reviews today, well, the Picks are reviews. First thing in the morning, I'm hopping with … [Read more...]

I'll be back tomorrow, probably, with more reviews. Something came up. In the meantime, please browse the Rifftides archive, conveniently linked in the right-hand column. The Doug's Picks recommendations have an archive all of their own. Simply click on the world "More" at the end of the current … [Read more...]

ACCORDION, n. An instrument in harmony with the sentiments of an assassin. --Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary A gentleman is one who knows how to play the accordion but refrains from doing so. --attributed to Mark Twain (and many others) I am not a demon. I am a lizard, a shark, a heat-seeking … [Read more...]

Delfeayo Marsalis and his quintet are kicking off a national tour this weekend with a concert at The Seasons. Realizing that I was going to hear Marsalis brother number three in person for the first time, I listened to his new CD, Minions Dominion, which has come in for considerable attention. From … [Read more...]

I told you more than a year ago about Hinesight, pianist Harold Danko's terrific trio tribute to Earl Hines. It's high time that I mentioned Danko's quite different quintet CD called Oatts and Perry. That is the title because of Danko's admiration for alto saxophonist Dick Oatts and tenor … [Read more...]

In their seventeen years in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and when they occasionally got together in the decade before Paul Desmond's death, the pianist and the alto saxophonist loved to play "These Foolish Things." The song presented lyrical and harmonic possibilities that Brubeck and Desmond never … [Read more...]

As far as I know, only one governor of a state was fathered by a professional jazz musician. Today's Boston Globe has a long story by Sally Jacobs about Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and his father Pat, the late saxophone and flute star of the Sun Ra Arkestra. Jacobs explores the effect on … [Read more...]

Moving right along, then, we discuss three more recent CDs. Andy Martin-Jan Lundgren, How About You? (Fresh Sound). When virtuosos meet, they sometimes shed more competitive heat than creative light. Trombonist Andy Martin and pianist Jan Lundgren listen to one another, interact and produce … [Read more...]

We continue our doomed effort to catch up with even a small percentage of the CDs washing over the market in a volume that makes the Missoula floods seem puny. Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts, Scenic Route (Palmetto). Despite, or because of, the side trips, the peripatetic drummer and his quartet cover … [Read more...]