Music
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.
On Dianne Reeves
My review of Dianne Reeves at the Annenberg Center, in today’s Inquirer.
The week on disc (14)
In case you missed the last one… Bobby Few, Lights and Shadows (Boxholder) Nick Vayenas, Synesthesia (World Culture) NYNDK, Nordic Disruption (Jazzheads) Greg Burk, Berlin Bright (Soul Note) Toumani Diabate, The Mandé Variations (World Circuit/Nonesuch) Danilo Perez, Panama Suite (ArtistShare, EP)
RIP Dennis Irwin
The wonderful bassist Dennis Irwin has been felled by his illness. Appreciations by Darcy and Ethan. I treasure my CDs of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) playing Thad Jones, with trusty Dennis in the rhythm section. I met him once at O’Hare, coming back from a gig at Urbana-Champaign, where I ran into the members
On John Zorn
My review of John Zorn’s Philly extravaganza, in today’s Inquirer.
Six Picks: March 2008
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, March 2008: Jane Ira Bloom, Mental Weather (Outline) Gerald Cleaver, Gerald Cleaver’s Detroit (Fresh Sound New Talent) Drew Gress, The Irrational Numbers (Premonition) Russ Nolan, With You in Mind (ind.) Spring Heel Jack, Songs and Themes (Thirsty Ear) Tony Wilson/Peggy Lee/Jon Bentley, Escondido Dreams (Drip Audio)