David Adler
Dennis Irwin PS
While researching a story, I just had the chance to speak with trumpeter Terell Stafford, who runs the jazz program at Temple U. in Philly. As a member of Matt Wilson’s group Arts & Crafts, Terell also played extensively with bassist Dennis Irwin, whose tragic death is still being mourned by the jazz community. Terell recalls: [Dennis] came down to
On Danilo Perez
My profile of pianist Danilo Perez, the front-page feature of today’s Inquirer, Arts & Entertainment section.
Wright stuff
Obama’s Philadelphia speech is destined for the American history classrooms of tomorrow (if there will be such things). And it has generated a wave of responses nearly as fascinating as the speech itself, not least of all in the nascent entity called the jazz blogosphere. Which would seem to refute the idea that jazz and its minions have ceased to
The Wire PS
In my recent piece about “The Wire” I took issue with the writers’ call for jury nullification in drug cases. David Feige makes a salient point about this: The problem is that in taking their pledge to nullify, the authors have gently finessed a rather difficult and practical point. In order to acquit or hang a jury, one has to
Obama on Wright
Here in Philadelphia, blocks from where I sit, Barack Obama has just delivered a powerful speech [update: video here] on the complexities of race and racism in America, and the nuanced reality of his relationship with pastor Jeremiah Wright. I fear his words will fall on cynical, deaf ears, but he has done his best — not in an attempt to
On Dianne Reeves
My review of Dianne Reeves at the Annenberg Center, in today’s Inquirer.
The week on disc (14)
In case you missed the last one… Bobby Few, Lights and Shadows (Boxholder) Nick Vayenas, Synesthesia (World Culture) NYNDK, Nordic Disruption (Jazzheads) Greg Burk, Berlin Bright (Soul Note) Toumani Diabate, The Mandé Variations (World Circuit/Nonesuch) Danilo Perez, Panama Suite (ArtistShare, EP)
RIP Dennis Irwin
The wonderful bassist Dennis Irwin has been felled by his illness. Appreciations by Darcy and Ethan. I treasure my CDs of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) playing Thad Jones, with trusty Dennis in the rhythm section. I met him once at O’Hare, coming back from a gig at Urbana-Champaign, where I ran into the members