My Jazz Times review of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival is published in full on the magazine's web site. It includes most of what I reported in Rifftides and some festival background added for JT. … [Read more...]

It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play. -Dizzy Gillespie- It's not the mistakes that count, it's what you do after them that counts. -Thelonious Monk- … [Read more...]

I know, I know. I promised a survey of recent CDs. But a couple of writing assignments materialized, the kind that bring more than the psychic rewards associated with blogging, and I must meet the deadlines. In the meantime, here's a link to an informal performance of "Sweet Lorraine" by Zoot Sims, … [Read more...]

There has been interesting response to the Rifftides musing a few postings ago about jazz audiences decreasing at the same time that jazz education programs are burgeoning. Here is an excerpt from one comment: A lot of talented high school and college band directors never program anything more … [Read more...]

Reports from New York are that the benefit for pianist Larry Willis last week at St. Peter's Church raised more than $5,000. That won't build Willis a new house, but it will help him replace some of what he lost in a January fire. More than two dozen pianists, including some of the most prominent in … [Read more...]

Please note that in the right-hand column under Doug's Picks are five new recommendations. At the end of the Picks selections, you have the option of going to the Picks archive for previous CDs, DVDs and books. Have a good weekend. … [Read more...]

The classic Dave Brubeck Quartet (Brubeck, Desmond, Morello and Wright) frequently opened their concerts with Billy Strayhorn's "Take The 'A' Train." At a 1966 concert, German television caught back-to-back performances of "'A' Train" and Brubeck's "Forty Days." They have surfaced on the Daily … [Read more...]

To jazz fans, Annie Ross will always be a third of the nonpareil singing group Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. But she left L-H-R in 1962. Ever since, she has been up to her ears in a variety of music and entertainment ventures. Will Friedwald caught up with the indefatigable Ms. Ross in New York and … [Read more...]

Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Moscow Idaho 2/25/07 After presentation of student winners, Saturday evening's final concert began with one piece by pianist Benny Green, bassist Christian McBride, guitarist Russell Malone and drummer Jeff Hamilton--the festival house band--who then … [Read more...]

The Hampton festival's core purpose is the development of young jazz musicians. Students from several states converge here to play in big bands and combos, vying for group and individual honors. Nearly 400 youngsters competed in the final day's events. Before the professionals played on Saturday … [Read more...]

The Seasons Performance Hall has launched its own CD label with a Jessica Williams solo piano recital on the hall's nine-foot Steinway. Go here to read about Jessica Williams Live At The Seasons and listen to one of the tracks. Full disclosure: I wrote the liner notes, which are reproduced on The … [Read more...]

Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Moscow, Idaho 2/25/07 In the packed ballroom of the University of Idaho's student union building, The members of the festival's house rhythm section were answering questions. Jeff Hamilton, Benny Green, Christian McBride and Russell Malone now and then … [Read more...]

Later, I'll have a report on the final concert of the Hampton festival, the changing of its artistic leadership, and a few thoughts on jazz education and the future of the jazz audience. At the moment, the hotel's checkout deadline is looming. I'm packing up and hitting the road following an intense … [Read more...]