As I was writing liner notes for the" next album by Cyrus Chestnut (pictured), the research led me to a remarkable performance of its title song. Published in 1989, "Sweet, Sweet Spirit"" by gospel composer Doris Akers became a favorite of Elvis Presley, who sometimes sang it with The Stamps Quartet … [Read more...]

Several Rifftides readers have sent messages reminding me that Paul Desmond died 40 years ago today. Thanks to all of them. I hadn’t forgotten. One of Desmond’s most dedicated admirers, Svetlana Ilicheva, wrote from Moscow suggesting that Desmond’s solo on “Out of Nowhere” from a … [Read more...]

A friend from the military chapter of my life asked if I would republish a story that first ran on Memorial Day weekend five years ago. We present this with pleasure" in" recalling" an extraordinary man and with renewed sadness at his loss. Originally posted on Rifftides on May … [Read more...]

Charlie Shoemake Trio And Quartet: Central Coasting (CCJAZZI) In addition to being a premier jazz vibraphonist, Charlie Shoemake has long devoted himself to helping young musicians develop their skills. After he and his vocalist wife Sandi moved from Los Angeles to the Central California coast in … [Read more...]

As pointed out in a Rifftides review earlier this year, drummer John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet… …has unity of thought, purpose and execution more often found in long-lived classical ensembles than in jazz. The difference, of course, is improvisation. Yet, Hollenbeck’s skills as … [Read more...]

Rifftides readers replied in droves to our request for news about what you are listening to these days. Here is the final installment, which provides further evidence of the impressively wide range of your tastes and predilections in music.   Larry Hollis, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA To … [Read more...]

Saxophonist and bandleader Dave Pell, a prominent figure in the west coast jazz of the 1950s and '60s, died on May 8. He was 92. Pell recorded extensively with his octet and the tribute group Prez Conference. Over the years the collective members of those bands included Art Pepper, Red Mitchell, … [Read more...]

The staff is still sorting through the profusion of responses to our query about what music Rifftides readers are putting on their CD players and turntables these days. You are an eclectic bunch, witness this batch of responses. Peter Straub, Brooklyn, NY, USA Miles Davis Quintet LIVE in … [Read more...]

Responses to the 2017 survey of what our readers around the world are listening to are piling into Rifftides world headquarters at a breathtaking rate. The staff complain" that trying to put internet links to all the submissions, is all but taking their breath. The mangement says, “Tough, think of … [Read more...]

Responses to our 2017 “Catching Up With You” reader" survey" are rolling in. This is what we asked of you four days ago: The Rifftides staff is interested in what our readers around the world are listening to. Please take a moment to send a message with your name, location and brief information … [Read more...]

From time to time, Rifftides asks readers to send information about the music they turn on, and vice versa. It has been more than five years since we canvassed you about what you’re hearing. It’s time. Here is a variation on the introduction to the original 2006 survey: The Rifftides staff is … [Read more...]

Once in a while, all of my New Orleans years come rushing back and fill me with music I haven’t thought about in ages. Tonight, it was the muscular alto saxophone of Captain John Handy. The son of a bandleader, he was born in Mississippi in 1900. Handy taught himself clarinet and in his middle … [Read more...]

At the Portland Jazz Festival earlier this year, photographer Mark Sheldon captured a splendid image of drummer Billy Hart in action. There was no opportunity to use the picture in our Rifftides coverage of the PDX Festival, but Mr. Sheldon has granted us the right to show it to you … [Read more...]

To follow yesterday’s recommendation, here is Charlie Haden with his Quartet West and his composition “First Song.” The pianist is Alan Broadbent, the tenor saxophonist Gary Foster, the drummer Larance Marable, the bassist—of course—Haden. From the Haden-Josef Woodard book (see … [Read more...]

Phelan Burgoyne Trio, Quiet Unquiet (Pumpkin Records) Drummer Burgoyne’s trio may seem now and then to be floating toward somnolence, but the tidal urgencies and complexities of his drumming are unlikely to encourage napping. The ingenuity and intellectual rigor of guitarist Rob Luft and alto … [Read more...]

Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) would have turned 100 years old today. She often affected audiences the way she was affecting Dizzy Gillespie when Bill Gottlieb took this celebrated photo. It is impossible to find the perfect performance by which to remember Ella, there were so many. Let’s … [Read more...]

This spring, the magnolia tree at the edge of the yard is in full bloom. I was determined to show you an image of just one of its magnificent blossoms. Then the challenge—this being primarily a jazz blog—became finding a piece of music that would be a suitable companion, something to listen to … [Read more...]

Cuong Vu 4TET, Ballet (Rare Noise) Trumpeter Vu and three fellow Seattle adventurers explore pieces by Michael Gibbs. It was guitarist Bill Frisell’s idea to bring the British composer to the University of Washington last year for concerts of his orchestral music as well as sets by Vu’s … [Read more...]

“Four” is one of the best-known jazz tunes attributed to Miles Davis. He may actually have written it, although a substantial number of musicians maintain that the composer was the alto saxophonist and blues singer Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. It is all but certain that Vinson also wrote … [Read more...]