Music
CD reviews
My review of the Pat Metheny/Brad Mehldau duo CD appears in the November issue of Jazz Times, now on the newsstands. It’s online as well. I also wanted to take this moment to acknowledge the passing of Moacir Santos, genius of modern Brazilian music and jazz. He passed away in August at the age of 80. I had the privilege
Shostakovich at 100
Yesterday I had the thrill of attending a Shostakovich matinee at Avery Fisher Hall. Valery Gergiev conducted the Kirov Orchestra, straight outta St. Petersburg, in a performance of the 8th and 13th symphonies. This was the final concert in Gergiev’s 2006 series: all 15 symphonies in the 100th birth year of the great, unknowable Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975). Gergiev conducted without
Dylan on Broadway?
Jody Rosen of Slate has the word on Twyla Tharp’s stage musical inspired by the music of Bob Dylan. It ain’t pretty. It’s hilarious, in fact: Sure, Dylan composed “Mr. Tambourine Man.” But to turn that modest folk-rock reverie into a three-dimensional dream-vision, with a singer seated on a neon-lighted sickle moon suspended 20 feet above a stage where dancers
Sounds to cherish 5
Another in an occasional series… Paul Pieper, Stories of Before (Bright Orange)A strong guitar player from Maryland. He placed second in the 1995 Monk competition. I first heard him on the Relax CD, by 79-year-old tenor saxist Buck Hill (who is apparently a mail carrier by day). After hearing Pieper’s adept, snaky lines I felt I had to investigate. My
Jazz treason
I’ve received an email from the brilliant trumpeter John McNeil, advertising a regular gig with the equally brilliant tenor saxophonist Bill McHenry. At the bottom is this wonderful critical plaudit: “Their treasonous use of pentatonics speaks volumes about their hatred of America. These guys are traitors, pure and simple.” — Ann Coulter Took the words right out of my mouth.
Weather Report review
I have a review of the new Weather Report box, Forecast: Tomorrow, in the October Jazz Times. It’s online as well. Also, I apologize for the lack of posts. I’m writing a long piece for the next issue of Democratiya, which will appear on December 1.
Six Picks: October 2006
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, October 2006: David Binney, Out of Airplanes (Mythology) Nels Cline, New Monastery (Cryptogramophone) John Hollenbeck, Joys & Desires (Intuition) Keith Jarrett, The Carnegie Hall Concert (ECM) Rudresh Mahanthappa, Code Book (Pi Recordings) Florian Weber/Jeff Denson/Ziv Ravitz, Minsarah (Enja/Justin Time)
A new article
I have a piece [pdf] in the Jazz Times Education Supplement 2006/2007, on the topic of artist-developed education and outreach programs.