[contextly_auto_sidebar id="WPvSYmcpkqtUj8nRkCE3AdYlrqC1Iy3P"] There is no possibility of keeping up with the flow of albums pouring out of what is often described, absurdly, as a declining jazz scene, but it can be interesting to try. Here are brief observations on a few more or less … [Read more...]

For more than two days, Rifftides and all of the other arts journal.com blogs have been taken down by software robots—hacker bots. The attackers have been vanquished, security measures are being put in place and we look forward to the resumption of regular posting. Say goodbye to this … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="1tQI8nCzIiTd1BiBnMJiAxcbKsXDtR1X"] I got bored with the old way - it came too easy. I worked until I could play any chord changes at any tempo in any key, and then said 'What else is there?' Now I'm finding out. I expect the audience to come up to my … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="F4UbLPqvEYgZNOhOBf4XiXW5icbYUIbd"] My visiting son went skiing in the Cascade Mountains, and I accompanied him. This is how it was on the lightly populated runs of White Pass at 4500 feet. Après-ski, driving down the mountain by the time we reached about 3500 … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="dG5AgtayhUWoWVzslWSHH4LzSHeCp6fs"] Trumpeter Don Ellis (1934-1978) provided the instrumental focus in yesterday’s Third Stream Revisited post. He portrayed young Peter Parker, a boy learning to be a jazz musician. Let us look into Ellis’s all too brief future … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="kvXzUb3qq7bTxNyCRJWooFNCtCWry5Le"] From time to time, we reach into nine years of posts stored in the Rifftides vaults for pieces that the staff thinks are worth a second look. This is one of those times. Originally posted on Rifftides on March 25, 2010. "Third … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="AkSxhYHLc105k3wnpv2VTPGktkWgIrID"] Lennie Tristano was born in Chicago on this day in 1919. At birth, influenza ruined his vision. By his 10th birthday he was blind. Formally trained at a music conservatory, he played piano and, as a 12-year-old clarinetist, led a … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="rAujx5558iqADMBlt5zj0tGNJtOX6QUs"] “How Are Things In Gloca Morra,” featuring Sonny O’Rollins, tenor saxophone; Donald McByrd, trumpet; Wynton Kelly, piano; Gene MacRamey, bass; and Max O’Roach, drums. On St. Patrick’s day, the whole world is … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="bdYaweGTmZmzZDeaWraqu5CutuAOU6wL"] Thanks to Lester Perkins of Jazz On The Tube for reminding us that today Tommy Flanagan would have celebrated his 84th birthday. The great pianist died in 2001. From the time he made his debut as a teenager in his native Detroit, … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="eyvYYg0fmRcIGDmwQJopimDDA5uO1nGP"] Alto saxophonist Med Flory was best known to the general public as an actor, but jazz listeners are most likely to remember him as the co-founder and leader of Supersax. Flory died this week at the age of 87. He made hundreds of … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="asOJct6gYgSkFqhnVaMCI6YG7znfNMbJ"] Iola Brubeck died today. She had been under treatment for cancer discovered several months ago during oral surgery. She was 90 years old. Her children made the announcement through the University of the Pacific, home of the Brubeck … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="W7fa71eO5lzJBaKSRMLoqtlZSKpEQTE9"] In his Jazz Profiles blog, Steve Cerra posts a piece about Bud Shank (1926-2009) that is packed with remembrances of the saxophonist and flutist, interviews, photographs and music clips that recall the career of an amazingly … [Read more...]

It has been Rifftides practice to make Doug's Picks recommendations in batches, with long periods between. Beginning with the recommendation below, the picks are going to come singly and more often. As always, clicking on the title of the CD, DVD or book will take you to where it can be found. The … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="ylqITQpsqXjiYLIeYMoqRuEy6UASXOH9"] Speaking of Poodie James (see the previous post), if you have read the novel you might like to see a bit of the town and valley that bear a not entirely coincidental resemblance to the book’s locale. I just watched a short … [Read more...]

As the digital revolution makes inroads into traditional publishing based in paper, bookstores are not having a notably good century so far. Hardly a week goes by without news of a large or small bookstore, including those owned by chains, going out of business somewhere in the US. Yakima, … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="JcNUILe4bAh6cCwx3ZRXQQCtFZUP6p89"] The Bill Holman documentary that I helped with late last year is moving closer to reality. Its producer, Kathryn King, has launched a fund-raising drive to help her and her crew complete the film on schedule. That is how many projects … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="5ukc15UJXurI8MJ71NmO3fiEEZF7MJdG"] Jan Allan with the Visby Big Band, Berwaldhallen Stockholm, Sweden, 1985. Arranged, conducted and introduced by Rob McConnell. Later this month, Allan, now 79, will join pianist Jan Lundgren, bassist Georg Riedel, … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="2m4FW9BeWZVHVa8BrLb9rePRMLx27VJA"] The distinguished pianist, composer and leader is the 2014 occupant of the chair held by Bernstein, Cage, Eliot, Stravinsky and Gordimer, among others. For further details, including how to get a ticket for the remaining … [Read more...]

[contextly_auto_sidebar id="icLgcTZ2l3UKVn9QanSe19cCVcm9ZTgS"] Rifftides reader Ted O’Reilly writes from Toronto: I wasn’t much inclined to shop much at Crocojazz personally – I’m not into vinyl as some are – but it was not as inviting as I’d hoped. Unorganized, dusty, boxes and … [Read more...]