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Last kings
[Edited] The other day I watched “The Last King of Scotland,” Kevin MacDonald’s 2006 biopic of Idi Amin, for which Forest Whitaker won an Oscar. It was alright. But I made the mistake of also watching the 30-minute short “Capturing Idi Amin,” a behind-the-scenes bonus feature. I’ve been putting off this post, but it’s time, now that Robert Mugabe might
Six Picks: April 2008
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, April 2008: Charles Lloyd, Rabo De Nube (ECM) Lionel Loueke, Karibu (Blue Note) Tim Miller, Tim Miller Trio 2 (Avenir) Peloton, Selected Recordings (Parallel) Adam Rudolph’s Moving Pictures, Dream Garden (Justin Time) Jaleel Shaw, Optimism (Changu)
On Wayne Shorter
My review of the Wayne Shorter Quartet at the Kimmel Center, in today’s Inquirer. PS — I just noticed the photo caption that ran with my review: “Wayne Shorter and his quartet created a convergance [sic] of jazz’s old and new styles Friday at the Kimmel Center.” Wow, that couldn’t be any more off-base. No wonder the headline also makes
Stay tuned
Please forgive the lack of activity here — I’m finishing a cover story on Philadelphia jazz for the April 9 music issue of Philadelphia Weekly. What a ride it’s been. More posting soon. Meanwhile, you’re going to double over watching Bill Cosby talk about trying to play “Cherokee” behind Sonny Stitt. [PS — The following won’t make sense until you
Crouch on Obama
An exceptionally moving comment on the Obama speech from Stanley Crouch. And here, from earlier on. Stanley’s no right-winger, as is so often assumed. (No, he does not note Wright’s appearance on Wynton Marsalis’s The Majesty of the Blues).
On Auktyon
My review of Auktyon at World Cafe Live, in today’s Inquirer.
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.