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On Andy Laster
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Andy Laster’s Sounds of Cairo Thu., Oct. 21, 8pm. Free. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. 215.573.3234 www.arsnovaworkshop.org It’s said that New York’s downtown improvisers don’t bother traveling north of 14th Street. But they’re as geographically adventurous as it gets, incorporating sounds from Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East and just about everywhere. Andy Laster,
The panel weighs in!
An official JJA wrap of last night’s Year In Review panel, and a nice account from participant Nate Chinen. Thanks to all who took part!
On Gary Burton
Gary Burton’s New Quartet (with Julian Lage, Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez) is at the Blue Note, October 19-24. My preview is in the new issue of Time Out New York.
The week on disc (80)
In case you missed the last one… Antonio Sanchez, Live in New York at Jazz Standard (Cam Jazz) Mason Brothers, Two Sides One Story (Archival) The Rosenberg Trio with Biréli Lagrène, Djangologists (Enja) Stephan Crump & James Carney, Echo Run Pry (Clean Feed) Jon Irabagon, Foxy (Hot Cup) Exploding Star Orchestra, Stars Have Shapes (Delmark)
Panel, round two: Best Jazz of 2010 (so far!)
I’ll be co-facilitating another panel discussion and blindfold test with Howard Mandel on Thursday, October 14, 6-8 p.m. at the New School Performance Space, 5th Floor, 55 West 13th Street in Manhattan. Our esteemed guests this time will include Nate Chinen of The New York Times, Jim Macnie of Down Beat and Josh Jackson of The Checkout and NPR Music.
On Bobby Zankel
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Bobby Zankel’s Wonderful Sound 4 Fri., Oct. 8, 9pm. $10 ($8 advance). With Thri. Moonstone Arts Center, 110 S. 13th St. 215.735.9600 www.moonstoneartscenter.org Brooklynite Bobby Zankel has called Philly home since 1975, and he’s a chief reason the city should take pride in its jazz scene. He’s not only a fire-spitting alto saxophonist, with a
Six Picks: October 2010
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, October 2010: Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet, Natural Selection (Sunnyside) Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin, Llyria (ECM) Kirk Knuffke, Chew Your Food (NoBusiness) Metropole Orkest/John Scofield/Vince Mendoza, 54 (Emarcy) Florian Ross, Mechanism (Pirouet) David S. Ware, Onecept (Aum Fidelity)
On Amir ElSaffar
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Amir ElSaffar’s Two Rivers Sat., Oct. 2, 8pm. $25. Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St. 215.925.9914 www.paintedbride.org The new Painted Bride season revs up with Amir ElSaffar, an Iraqi-American trumpeter whose music in recent years has also emphasized his singing and santoor playing. ElSaffar’s 2007 release Two Rivers was deep stuff: an energized, personal