dev
Johnny hates jazz
Via Peter Hum and Patrick J. — John McCain has taken to the Senate floor to mock federal funding for jazz: “Next time you’re in New York, go to the Lincoln Center. You’ll see that we’re spending $800,000 of your money for jazz at the Lincoln Center. Jazz lovers rejoice.” As Patrick notes, the federal sums going to jazz institutions
Most insane jazz video ever
If anything, that’s a colossal understatement. Via Josh Sherman:
No Intention
So few instruments, so much music. Hat tip Ben Ratliff:
The decade in jazz, 2000-2009
The decade now ending happens to have been my first spent as a jazz critic (I started in 1999). So the simplest way to encapsulate my view is just to point to some of the things I’ve done. My 2001 New York Times piece [pdf] on the resurgence of the Fender Rhodes — apart from my error in crediting Dave
New York @ Night: December 2009
In this month’s All About Jazz-New York: reviews of Mulgrew Miller’s Wingspan and the Jesse Stacken-Kirk Knuffke duo.
On Rick Iannacone
In the current Philadelphia Weekly: Rick IannaconeMon., Dec. 21, 8pm. With Birds for Arms. Tritone, 1508 South St. 215.545.0475 www.tritonebar.com Rick Iannacone could be called Philadelphia’s answer to Marc Ribot — a guitarist with an avant-jazz skill set and a rocker’s heart, mischievously fusing high-art harmony and unbridled skronk. A true Philly original, Iannacone left a void with his recent
Kill the bill?
Um, no, says Nate Silver, one of the most keen and thorough minds in progressive American politics. More of Silver’s case here. And here. Rather than rehash his analysis I’ll just quote his conclusion: that the Senate health care bill, even with all its considerable shortcomings, could be “the largest social welfare program to be implemented since the Great Society.”
Jack Rose
Of all the fascinating musicians I encountered while living in Philadelphia, I never had the joy of hearing Jack Rose, who tragically passed away earlier this month. Rose explored “post-Takoma, American primitive guitar,” with blues, Indian classical and minimalist influences. I’m listening to his forthcoming, now sadly posthumous Thrill Jockey release Luck in the Valley. It’s wonderful, and a fitting