Flying east, two experiences melded into a thought around a phrase. Forty-six years and ten days ago, Newton Minow spoke at the annual meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters, the organization of people who ran television and radio in the United States. Minow was the chairman of the … [Read more...]

The Rifftides Staff is off to the The Commission Project's Swing 'n Jazz X. I will send reports from the road when possible. In the meantime, please enjoy browsing the archives, which reach back to the beginning of this endeavor, nearly two years ago. That may seem a short time to YOU. … [Read more...]

Time out of the writing crunch to hear successive Jessica Williams concerts was time well spent. Williams has taken a liking to The Seasons and returned there with her new trio for two evenings. On Saturday,Williams, bassist Doug Miller and drummer John Bishop played a Duke Ellington program. The … [Read more...]

A contributor with the internet handle Astrotype just sent YouTube five videos taken from a 1966 Dave Brubeck Quartet concert in Germany. If you're thinking of Paul Desmond on this thirtieth anniversary of his death, you may remember him even more kindly as you listen to a "Take Five" solo unlike … [Read more...]

You needn't be a demon sight reader to enjoy Rifftides reader Andy Wiliamson's blog called Jazz Licks. Wililamson transcribes phrases from solos, mostly by saxophonists (he is one). He posts the transcriptions and provides audio clips so that you can read along with the licks as you listen to them. … [Read more...]

Sonny Rollins has returned home from Stockholm, where he was awarded the Polar Music Prize of the Royal Swedish Academy. Terri Hinte, publicist nonpareil, traveled with him and alerted us to the web site that carries photographs of Mr. Rollins and his co-winner Steve Reich receiving their prizes … [Read more...]

We're heading into Memorial Day weekend, the thirtieth anniversary of Paul Desmond's death. Musically, what I remember about Paul is how hard he could swing in that really understated way. He had the most amazing time feel in his playing. People never really talked about that part of his playing. He … [Read more...]

Posting will be scant and seldom this week. I am still cranking on a flurry of assignments that must be completed before I take off for the Swing 'n Jazz fiesta in Rochester, New York. One of the pieces is for the next George Mraz CD, which involves the remarkable Czech singer, violinist and actress … [Read more...]

A message from Rubén González: I"´m reading regularly with pleasure Rifftides from Rosario, Argentina... Sr. González includes a link to his web site and the story of his encounter with jazz in Dublin, Ireland. His account is in Spanish and English and includes video of three Irish musicians … [Read more...]

News releases from publicists come in waves by snail mail, e-mail and that ancient technology the fax machine. By rough estimate, at least half concern the latest CDs, concerts or club appearances of legends: ...the legendary _____________(fill in the blank) ...a legend of the (piano, drums, bass, … [Read more...]

Welcome to Rifftides readers in: Sydney, Melbourne and Berkeley Vale, Australia Moscow, Russia Stockholm and Vastra Gotaland, Sweden; Baden-Wurttemberg and Niedernhausen, Hessen, Germany Lisbon, Portugal Vaud, Switzerland Marbella, Spain London, Birmingham and West Ham, Newham, UK Toronto and York … [Read more...]

In the Jack Sheldon piece (see the next exhibit), I forgot to mention his work on the most recent Tierney Sutton CD. To read about it, go here. Sheldon brought interesting comments, including one from a man who went to school with him. Click on the "Comments" link at the end of the next piece. … [Read more...]

Some time ago, Rifftides reader Steve Sherman wrote, more or less in haiku form: Jack Sheldon, unpretentious, one of the best living singers, trumpet players, always swinging, often touching. Maybe write something. I agree with Mr. Sherman's evaluation of Sheldon. I am happy to write something, but … [Read more...]

Deadlines galore: Lead review for Jazz Times (Ron Carter's next CD). Notes for two CDs, George Mraz's Moravian Gems, and Mad Duran's Simply Mad. I'm reading and evaluating the manuscript of a new book by a major jazz biographer. Nonetheless, I have something in mind to post tomorrow or the next day. … [Read more...]

If you never had the good luck to see Ray Nance, Now, thanks to YouTube, you have the chance. … [Read more...]

The item in the next exhibit was, I thought, the last Rifftides posting about Rod Levitt. Then Erik Lawrence sent the following message and his obituary of Rod, which is too thorough, touching and well written not to pass along to you. Erik refers to his late father, the multifaceted saxophonist, … [Read more...]

It was a phone call I wished never to receive and knew was inevitable. Rod Levitt's wife Jean called to report that he died peacefully in his sleep the night of May 8. A composer and arranger of inventiveness, warmth and resourcefulness, a trombonist whose kindness and humor radiated in his playing, … [Read more...]

As if our friend and fellow artsjournal.com blogger Terry Teachout weren't polymath enough, he's extending his cultural breadth. On his blog, About Last Night, he announces: I'm writing an opera. What? I'M WRITING AN OPERA. That's what I thought he said. To get the details, go here. … [Read more...]

The Rifftides staff is pleased to announced that (finally) we have posted a new group of Doug's Picks in the right-hand column. A reminder: We now archive the Picks. To see past entries, click on "More Picks" at the end of the current crop. … [Read more...]