About a year ago, I received a request from The Upper Hand Press for permission to use parts of what I wrote in the liner notes for the reissue of Getz/Gilberto Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim. The 1963 album included Joao Gilberto’s wife Astrud singing Jobim’s “The Girl From Ipanema.” In the … [Read more...]

Sorry to learn that composer, arranger and bandleader Patrick Williams died yesterday at 79. Prolific in his work for motion pictures and television, Williams was sometimes taken for granted—but never by fellow members of the arranging fraternity or by the musicians who took part in recordings of … [Read more...]

It's Sunday, it's hotter than blazes around here, and I'm out of ideas. Well...almost out. Something brought to mind a contribution by Dave Frishberg early in the blog's history. " Here it is, exactly as it appeared in the summer of 2007, except that when I enlarged the photos a bit, they took on … [Read more...]

When you search for information about a wide variety of jazz subjects, chances are good that you will find it on Noal Cohen's site. Experienced as a drummer, writer and researcher, Mr. Cohen (pictured) is particularly knowledgeable and helpful about music of the 1950s and '60s, but his expertise … [Read more...]

Following the June 28 Rifftides review of the Scenes trio’s Destinations album, its guitarist, John Stowell, sent this comment: "Your readers might also enjoy the recent duo CD I recorded with Dave Liebman. It was Dave’s idea to do Sidney Bechet tunes. The record, Petite Fleur, is also on … [Read more...]

The long-playing 33&1/3 RPM record is far from dead. Following up on the July 12 Rifftides review of Duck Baker’s LP of Thelonious Monk compositions, here are three other relatively recent vinyl albums worthy of your acquaintance.   Rudresh Mahanthappa Indo-Pak Coalition, Agrima … [Read more...]

Black Art Jazz Collective, Armor of Pride (High Note Records) Half of the Collective’s members are leading lights among jazz artists in their forties and early fifties. They include trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery and pianist Xavier Davis. The younger trombonist James … [Read more...]

Duck Baker Plays Monk (Triple Point Records) Duck Baker (Richard Royal Baker IV) may not be a household name among jazz devotees at large, but in his career of more than four decades he has become a hero to other guitarists. He has led or been involved in dozens of recordings of folk music from … [Read more...]

Rifftides" readers sent so many interesting comments about the passing of Bill Watrous, and about Alexandra Leh’s remembrance the following day, that the staff has voted to reward you all with video of the trombonist in a remarkable ballad performance. It’s from a 1976 television appearance. I … [Read more...]

  The gifted New Orleans pianist Henry Butler has died. He was 69. Noted for virtuosity at the keyboard and soulful depth as a singer, Butler pursued his career primarily in his home city, with frequent tours overseas. Blinded by glaucoma as an infant, he excelled academically at all levels … [Read more...]

In response to yesterday’s item about the passing of trombonist Bill Watrous, Alexandra Leh sent a comment so interesting that I am taking the liberty of converting it to a stand-alone guest column. I hope she doesn't mind. I certainly don't mind her making me homesick for Jim & Andy's. Ms. … [Read more...]

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. —Benjamin Franklin America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. —Abraham Lincoln … [Read more...]

Trombonist Bill Watrous died yesterday in Los Angeles at the age of 79. Celebrated for his skill, range and speed, Watrous employed those attributes in a career that began with Billy Butterfield and included work with the big bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson and Johnny Richards. … [Read more...]

Improvisation in music did not begin with jazz. Bach and Chopin were noted improvisers, as was Beethoven. One of the great Beethoven stories is about the flamboyant pianist Daniel Steibelt (seen right) challenging Beethoven (seen left) to an improvisation contest, in effect a musical duel. Steibelt … [Read more...]

Scenes, Destinations (Origin) Drummer John Bishop, guitarist John Stowell and bassist Jeff Johnson will soon be celebrating two decades together as the trio they call Scenes. Bishop founded the Origin label in Seattle in 1997, and by the fall of 2000 the three veteran Pacific Northwest … [Read more...]