This is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Thelonious Monk. I've never given it much thought, but if you’re astrologically inclined it makes sense that he was a Libra. From the beginning, some fellow musicians and close listeners recognized Monk’s unique abilities and piquant musicality. … [Read more...]

The time when most recordings came from a handful of major labels is" long past. As I have observed—with only" enough exaggeration to make the point—now, every 18-year-old tenor player can be a record company. He or she can take advantage of technology and economies of scale that make it … [Read more...]

From Hollywood comes an announcement by The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts that on October 15 the Harlem Quartet will perform at the center. The ensemble from upper Manhattan specializes not only in the usual suspects among classical composers for string quartet—Schubert, Grieg, … [Read more...]

Speaking of that cooperative venture with pianist Bill Mays (weren't we?), on his website Bill posted the answer to a problem that may have stumped some Rifftides readers. Here is his solution: Ah, technology…when Doug Ramsey and I recently made our concert, A Brief History Of Jazz … [Read more...]

It is unlikely that computer virtuosos Ryan and Trenton at Efcom, the Mac Store, used wrenches and screwdrivers to revive the Rifftides headquarters computer. Still, whatever tools and methods they employed, their magic brought the machine back to life much sooner than the estimate of several days. … [Read more...]

Increasingly, radio and television newscasts include stories in which anchors interview correspondents in the field. That is part of a pattern: reduced news budgets, smaller staffs and greater dependence on the survivors of newsroom cuts. Anchors, of course, also conduct interviews with newsmakers, … [Read more...]

Wynton Kelly Trio, Wes Montgomery, Smokin’ In Seattle (Resonance) The Resonance Records label’s stream of previously unreleased music includes a collaboration of guitarist Wes Montgomery (1925-1968) and pianist Wynton Kelly (1931-1971) that is a major addition to the discographies of both … [Read more...]

  Pete Turner, the photgrapher whose work became cover art for dozens of memorable jazz albums,has died at 83. His pictures, including the one above, often appeared on albums of Creed Taylor’s CTI label in the 1960s and ‘70s. Following the digital revolution, CTI also used them on CD … [Read more...]

Dick Titterington, The 3 Trumpet Band Live at The 1905 (Heavywood) The 3 Trumpet Band recorded their third album before an audience at The 1905, an upscale pizza emporium on the east side of Portland, Oregon. Some reviewers have called the place the successor to the belated Jimmy Mak’s club. … [Read more...]

Bob Dietsche, Tatum’s Town (Bobson Press) Most Art Tatum devotees know that Toledo, Ohio, was his hometown. It was where his genius became evident when he was a teenaged Fats Waller disciple. Many Tatum fans may not know that Toledo’s active jazz community in the 1920s and ‘30s included a … [Read more...]

Victor Gould, Clockwork (Fresh Sound New Talent) A Los Angeles native now in New York, pianist Gould debuts as a leader in an album showcasing him and an impressive collection of established musicians. He apprenticed as a sideman with, among other leader, Vincent Herring, Wallace Roney and Ralph … [Read more...]

Thanks to Steven Cerra of Jazz Profiles for including, in his recent profile of Stan Getz, notes that I wrote for the box set reissue of Getz’s recordings for the Roost label. As Steve mentions in his introduction, Getz’s elegant work toward the end of his life tends to obscure what he achieved … [Read more...]

Rifftides reader and audio chronicler Mike Harris writes: 37th anniversary of death of pianist Bill Evans. Worth a tip of the cap? Worth more than that. It’s worth reminding us all, if we need reminding, of how much we lost on this day in 1980. Here’s Bill Evans recorded secretly by Mr. Harris … [Read more...]

Rifftides readers asked if it would ever be available, so Bill Mays and I offer a performance of our" History Of Jazz Piano project at no charge. Following a good deal of attention to technical detail and a thorough audio remastering, the concert is a free download on Bill’s website at this … [Read more...]

Jason Rigby Detroit-Cleveland Trio, ONE (Fresh Sound New Talent) The simplicity of the Rigby Trio’s cover design matches the uncomplicated instrumentation—saxophone, bass and drums. It is a configuration used to great effect by Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman in classic recordings when they … [Read more...]

Tim Hagans, NDR Bigband, <em>Faces Under The Influence: A Jazz Tribute to John Cassavetes</em/>, Waiting Moon Records In this work inspired by American independent film pioneer John Cassavetes (1929-1989), Hagans triumphs as composer, trumpet soloist and producer. He bases his … [Read more...]

Sometimes, you just want to hear a good old-fashioned unadulterated blues. And sometimes—fairly often, actually—the members of Savoy Brown feel like playing one. Here they are in 2013 on the Clocktower stage at the Kitchener, Ontario, Blues Festival. Since it was founded in 1965 the band has … [Read more...]

Jim Wilke writes that he will feature trombonist, trumpeter and vocalist Wycliffe Gordon Sunday on Jazz Northwest. Here is Jim's announcement: Wycliffe Gordon celebrated the music and soul of jazz great Louis Armstrong in concert at Jazz Port Townsend last July. The concert was recorded for radio … [Read more...]