I know I have mentioned accujazz.com in the past, but they just added a few channels, and one of them (Cutting Edge) will likely be getting some ear time from me. There is also a New Orleans channel that seems like it will be pretty cool.
Category: Recommendations/Reviews
shuffle discoveries – Halvorson & Sickafoose
I’ve developed a habit of putting all of the new music that I download or rip into a playlist (called “new music”…how creative). I started doing this as a way to make sure that I listened to everything. Kind of like the way I used to keep new CDs stacked next to the stereo, and would only put them into their place in the collection after they had been digested (or at least chewed a little). A handy by-product of my new music playlist system is that when I put that playlist on shuffle, the new music gets to me free of any expectations. I often have to pull out the ipod to see who is playing. It is nice when I hear something unknown, and like it. It gives me confidence that it is the music and not the name that is moving me.
Two recent eMusic scores that struck me in shuffle mode ambushes are Mary Havorson Trio Dragon’s Head, and Todd Sickafoose Tiny Resistors.
I was doing the new music shuffle at the grocery store the other day, and each time a track from one of these albums would come on, I would have to look and see who was making the strikingly good music. I got the Halvorson, because I have been wanting to check her out on her own musical terms, having heard her and about her with Braxton, Taylor Ho Bynum, etc. I got the Sickafoose, because it kept showing up on people’s year end lists, and my interest was piqued. Both are worth purchasing.
EI does the math on Wynton
I know I have given DTM props before, but if you are a music lover and thinker, YOU MUST READ DO THE MATH, or at least check it out, because it is often quite good. Ethan Iverson is the usual blogger there, and he can be quite long-winded, but it is the attention-to-detail-about-stuff-that-really-turns-me-on kind of long-winded, not the I-love-to-see-my-words-on-a-screen type of long-winded.
Ethan has scored another great achievement with his interview with Wynton Marsalis and the resulting essays. It is well worth the read. I read them in the order suggested, and it flowed nicely. I suggest that approach. Ethan presents a well thought-out and quite insightful look at Wynton’s present and past, along with some corollary issues, and he does it seemingly without bias or any agenda other than the open-minded exploration of good music.
Sometimes really long essays can be hard to read online. I know I don’t usually enjoy laptop reading of long pieces, but I really dug this. Take the time, it is worth it.
Recent listening (Guewel) and self promotion
I recently picked up Harris Eisenstadt’s Guewel. It is an interesting sound with drums, bari sax, french horn, trumpet and cornet, each played by a great musician. It is definitely worth checking out.
I also just posted some live mp3s of improvised duos I recorded in Chicago in October. One show was with saxophonist Dave Rempis, and the other was with fellow trombonist Jeb Bishop. They can be found here.
New Music; old music; life changes; I did learn something in undergrad; and a new CD
I’ve had these two new Mike Reed CD’s sitting on my desk, waiting for me to write something about them for quite some time. I don’t have the time nor inclination to write full reviews, but I do feel the need to let you know that these are really good, and you should buy them…both. Clicking on the cover images will take you to the label’s website. If you are in Chicago right now, Mike has some cool gigs over the next couple of days. Check out his schedule.
Edit: I just realized, while looking for commerce links for these discs, that they aren’t officially out yet. I think they drop (as the kids say) on Sept. 9, so be sure to look for them then. I think the 482 stuff is usually available on iTunes, and eMusic, and you can order the plastic version from the label, and CD Baby I believe…once they drop.
I’ve gone on an old AACM and related vinyl eBay spree, and my two latest scores are duos with George Lewis and a saxophonist, although “saxophonist” seems like such a lacking term for either of these musicians. I had never heard the Lewis/Ewart collaboration, but had heard of it, and it didn’t disappoint. I was turned on to “Elements of Surprise” by Jeb Bishop. When he first played it for me, I nearly lost my mind. Then I would request it every time we had a listening session at his house. I finally scored my own copy, so he might be safe from my nagging requests to hear it…not that I had to really twist his arm to get him to spin it.
My life is about to change pretty drastically. Monday, I start classes at LSU. I am working towards a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts). I don’t know how that will affect my time for various activities, but I have tried hard to clear my plate enough that making music can remain a high priority along with school. We’ll see how the blogging fares, not that it has gotten that much attention lately anyway.
I did learn something all those years ago in undergrad, as evidenced by the fact that I passed the theory and history diagnostic exams that all new grad students have to take. Small miracles never cease. Well, a last minute review with a friend helped too.
I will have a new CD out this fall. We recorded it August 13th, and the master went to the pressing plant today. It will be called “Similar in the Opposite Way” and I’ll post more info as it becomes available.
One to One Studios in Jackson, MS
This past Friday, I took my quartet to Jackson, MS to perform at One to One Studios, which is a very cool art gallery/performance space. In the performance space, they have a stage that is made up of 5 large circles on three different levels. It definitely creates and different vibe for the performers. There was a pretty good sized, very attentive audience in attendance.
I played one set with my regular quartet, and did an opening set of improvisations with Jackson natives Bruce Golden and Jeb Stuart. I have posted mp3s of the trio and the quartet over at jeffalbert.com.
Former New Orleanian, and current Jascksonian, Will Thompson hooked us up. He has become a real connecting factor between the New Orleans and Jackson creative/improv scenes. It’s a pretty logical connection. The two cities are only a 2.5 to 3 hour drive apart. Here’s hoping for a long and fruitful association between the cities and their scenes, and if you are ever in Jackson, be sure to check out One to One.
Image courtesy of Paul Fayard.
Dudes whose name starts with W
I’d been hearing about this Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis collaboration, and to be honest had trouble imagining how it could work. That must have been a me issue, because apparently Willie and Wynton imagined it working quite well…and it does work quite well. I do still have a little trouble getting over www.willieandwynton.com or their Facebook page. All the pics of Wynton in vest and tie, and Willie in his hat with that beat up old guitar. It’s almost like the president of the Young Republicans going on a date with that pierced/tattooed chick with green hair. THEY probably had a great time, but everyone else can get too stuck in their ideas of genre or their prejudices to see that.
Genre is a problem for this record. Genre is a problem in general (see DJA for some good thoughts on this idea). This isn’t a jazz record, but it’s got some enjoyable improvising from musicians that would be considered jazz musicians. It’s not really a country record, or a blues record. Is Americana a genre? It might be that.
The good new is, that regardless of what you call it, it is fun to listen to. There is a real depth and honesty to what Willie does, and that makes me feel good. It grooves hard, and that makes me move parts of my body as I listen. Come to this music without preconception, and chances are it will grab you.
It is easy to have preconception about Wynton. Every time I hear him do that spot for his XM show, when he says “we’re gonna hear some cats who CAN PLAY!” I always think, “what, everyone else sucks?!?!” I don’t think he means to imply that only those endorsed from his Swing Seat can play, but it can come off that way. Then he talks about hearing “what’s happening on the real jazz horizon,” right before the voice over names a few famous dead jazz heros. It’s easy to look at the fashion ads and all of that and think hat Wynton is not really about music but about other stuff. I don’t think that is the case, but either way, just clear your mind, forget who it is, and listen.
It’s not about high art (pun intended), but it does address the basic values of much of American music, and it sounds good. It works.
Full disclosure: a copy of the CD “Two Men with the Blues” was provided to me.
Weekend in NY
I was in NY for a portion of the Vision Festival last weekend. I don’t really have the time nor inclination to write a blow by blow review of what I heard, although there are plenty of those out there. I do want to mention a few things though.
One of the biggest things I learned was about the tenacity of music lovers. The venue was very warm and pretty uncomfortable and it was still packed pretty much every moment I was there. From the stage Joelle Leandre said it felt like a sauna, and she was probably being polite. It was really freakin’ hot in there. They also had those really crappy plastic folding chairs. They might not be too bad for smallish people, but they are very uncomfortable for us larger folks. The fact that anyone was sitting packed like sardines in these conditions listening to anything is amazing to me, but we were all there wanting to hear what was being offered. If it is any consolation, I caught some of the New Languages Festival around the corner at the Living Theater, and their a/c was less than effective as well, and they had the same crappy chairs.
On to the music…
The Gebhard Ullmann/Steve Swell 4tet was a good show. It was nice to hear Barry Altschul live, and Hill Greene sounded great. Steve is a great trombone player, a really nice cat, and a great supporter of other musicians. I try to hear him whenever possible.
I really enjoyed observing the process of Wadada Leo Smith’s Golden Quintet. Watching him wave stuff in and out, and watching the players sometimes do what he appeared to be asking.
I caught some of Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society over at New Languages and they sounded great. Very dynamic performance of excellent material. Both of those aspects are hard tricks to pull off with a large ensemble.
I was looking forward to hearing the Matthew Shipp Trio with Joe Morris and Whit Dickey, and they didn’t disappoint.
George Lewis and Joelle Leandre were probably the highlight of the weekend for me. I knew George Lewis was bad, but he is way badder than I anticipated. The communication and playful interaction between Lewis and Leandre was great. They reminded us all that it is ok to laugh during a “serious free jazz” show, and that is an important thing to remember.
The weekend also included good cheap Chinese food, cannoli, and a trip to MOMA, along with seeing some friends I don’t get to see too often, and making a few new ones as well. Not a bad way to spend a couple of days.
Recent listening
I have been listening to quite a bit of new (to me) music lately, but don’t really have time to write about much (or any) of it, so I am going to rock it as a shout out post. I scored most of this stuff on eMusic, so a search there should yield sound sample and purchasing opportunities. I have been listening to and enjoying these things:
4 Corners 4 Corners (Clean Feed)
Dennis Gonzalez NY Quartet Dance of the Soothsayer’s Tounge (Clean Feed)
Fieldwork, featuring Vijay Iyer, Stebe Lehman & Tyshawn Sorry Door (Pi)
Empty Cage Quartet Stratospheric (Clean Feed)
Fred Anderson & Hamid Drake From the River to the Ocean (Thrill Jockey)
Jason Adasiewicz Rolldown (482 Music)
Steve Lehman On Meaning (Pi)
Steve Lehman Quartet Manifold (Clean Feed)
Zeitgeist Creative Music Series
Myspace.com Blogs – Zeitgeist Creative Music Series – Helen Gillet MySpace Blog
There is going to be a very cool summer concert series at Zeitgeist this year, and it is curated by the marvelous Helen Gillet. I am playing on it on May 27th.