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Philadelphia haps, cont’d.
In the current Philadelphia Weekly: New Directions Chamber BrassWed., Sep. 16, 9pm. $5. With Elliott Levin/Charles Cohen Duo. Tritone, 1508 South St. 215.545.0475 www.tritonebar.com The Avant Ascension series eases into its second year with a set from this genre-oblivious unit, which is led by trumpeter Thomas Madeja and happens also to include AA co-curator and trombonist Larry Toft. What a
Glenn Beck, historical illiterate and thug
One of the most hopeful things about the Obama administration is a renewed commitment to the arts, and particularly renewed support for the National Endowment for the Arts. It is all the more imperative, then, that the White House not take its personnel cues for the NEA from screaming right-wing cable TV idiots like Glenn Beck. Apparently Beck has brought
Digging Sonny
I’m interviewing Sonny Rollins later today for a Philadelphia Inquirer feature to run on Sunday, September 20. So I’ve been trawling YouTube and loving this 1963 clip in particular, with Don Cherry on cornet, Henry Grimes on bass, Billy Higgins on drums. They’re playing Monk’s “52nd Street Theme,” which is rhythm changes in C. So, high bebop meets half of
9/11
From Godspell. Watch to the end. Positively creepy.
The week on disc (52)
In case you missed the last one… Rez Abassi, Things to Come (Sunnyside) Heath Brothers, Endurance (Jazz Legacy) Dave Rivello Ensemble, Facing the Mirror (Allora) Pluto Junkyard, Lucky 7s (Clean Feed) Mika Pohjola, Northern Sunrise (Blue Music Group) Tom Abbs & Frequency Response, Lost & Found (Engine)
Obama’s message
Now that was a speech. Called Sarah Palin a liar. Sweet music to these ears. Just as in the 2008 campaign, people are hectoring Obama about a lack of specifics, and yet there are specifics. So let’s take note of them below: If You Have Health Insurance,the President’s Plan: Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. Limits premium discrimination based
On Dan Blacksberg/Daniel Levin
In the current Philadelphia Weekly: Daniel Blacksberg-Daniel Levin DuoSun., Sep. 13, 8:30pm. $5. Gojjo, 4540 Baltimore Ave. 215.238.1236 www.scifiphilly.com The trombone and cello can both be ungainly, but they speak with an elemental grace when played by the right people. Philly’s Daniel Blacksberg and New York’s Daniel Levin are the right people. Blacksberg is a diligent trombonist and open-eyed student
Teach them well and let them lead the way…
A brief comment on yesterday’s presidential back-to-school speech, and yet another “controversy” ginned up by right-wing activists and eagerly blown out of proportion by the media. Yes, it was absurd for the wingnuts to oppose a speech about doing well in school, but I’d go most liberal commentators one better and say this: It is Obama’s prerogative to articulate his