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Topic: What's Happening? / The NEA announces its 2009 Jazz Masters

Great choices and all well-deserved. I’m particularly happy to see Toots honored. The concert/ceremony should be a blast.

Topic: Audiophiles / MP3 downloading and listening

Suzanne:
What brand & model is the MP3 player? Hard to help without knowing this.

You should be able to use your headphones with your MP3 player. Most MP3 players that I’ve seen use a 1/8 inch mini-plug for connecting headphones & earplugs. If your headphones are like mine, however, they have a 1/4 inch connector. Simply go to Radio Shack (or the like) and buy a small, inexpensive adapter that converts the 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch (make sure you get a stereo adapter… the store salespeople will know).

Hope this helps.

Topic: General Jazz Discussion / Jazz/Music Humor

Interviewer: And what do you think of the Jazz Joint down on main street?

Yogi: That old place? Nobody goes there anymore… it’s too crowded.

Topic: General Non-Jazz Music Discussion / Other musicians of interest

Joe Jackson has a new album out. It’s a trio gig called “Rain”. If you’re a fan of his, you’ll love it. If you’re not familiar with Joe Jackson, have a listen.
I saw these guys perform most of the album here in Portland last summer. Great concert, great musicians.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/user/joejacksonrain

Topic: Players & Bands / Young Players of Note

Thanks for the tip on Kristen Korb. She’s quite good. Here’s a clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDkg1p9ynSI

Topic: Players & Bands / Young Players of Note

Here’s another young female singer that I stumbled upon. I believe she’s 21 and from Australia. She can be heard at her site www.rachelpricesings.com

Worth investigating!

Topic: General Jazz Discussion / Voices that may surprise you

This thread should be fun. There are a number of people who, over the years, have put out vocal albums (arguably good ones) but who are not known as vocalists. No, I’m not talking about Richard Harris or William Shatner. But how about Oscar Peterson? Yeah, he was a wonderful singer. And Anthony “Tony” Perkins of Psycho fame put out at least one album (self titled) and it’s delightful. While Jack Lemmon’s two efforts (that I know of) aren’t well-designed, his voice is quite pleasant.

Then there’s the actor from The Time Tunnel, James Darren. A fine voice.

Who else comes to mind?

Topic: What's Happening? / Cool New Feature

Although I tend to hang around the Forum here, I just stumbled upon a wonderful new feature on this site. It’s called “The Best Of Jazz Links Of The Week” and it can be found Here

Topic: Players & Bands / On Chet Baker

I’m a real fan of Chet too. While his horn playing is wonderful, I really enjoy his singing. Everyone should own Chet Baker Sings.

Topic: General Non-Jazz Music Discussion / Films Involving Music

While this could be quite a list, I just wanted to start it off with a delightful film I saw on DVD last night. Done in 2005, Vitus is the story of a child prodigy (pianist and genius) who yearns to live a normal life despite his gifts. The story takes some fun, unpredictable turns and the acting is wonderful (esp. by then 12-year old Teo Georghiu). Of course, the music is great also. Definitely worth seeing. In german with subtitles.

Topic: What's Happening? / Henri Salvador 1917-2008

French crooner Henri Salvador, who inspired the advent of bossa nova, has passed away at age 90. See the story here

Topic: What's Happening? / Grammy Award Winners - Jazz Categories

Here are the winners from the 50th anniversary show held last night:

Best Contemporary Jazz Album
River: The Joni Letters
Herbie Hancock
[Verve]

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Avant Gershwin
Patti Austin
[Rendezvous Entertainment]

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo
Anagram
Michael Brecker, soloist
Track from: Pilgrimage
[Heads Up International]

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
Pilgrimage
Michael Brecker
[Heads Up International]

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
A Tale Of God’s Will (A Requiem For Katrina)
Terence Blanchard
[Blue Note]

Best Latin Jazz Album
Funk Tango
Paquito D’Rivera Quintet?
[Paquito Records]

For other winners and nominees in other categories, visit www.grammy.com

Topic: What's Happening? / Remembering Earl May (1927-2008)

See the story Here

Topic: What's Happening? / Harmony's night out.

I needed a chuckle this morning. I’ve copied this post and started a new thread called “Jazz/Music Humor” under the General Jazz Discussion topic. Seemed like humor deserved a place of its own.
Thanks

Topic: General Jazz Discussion / Jazz/Music Humor

This one originally posted elsewhere by Tomas1:
C, E-flat and G entered a bar.

The bartender said, “Sorry, I don’t serve minors”.

The E-flat left and the C and G had an open fifth between them.

After a few drinks, the fifth was diminished and the G was out flat.

An F entered and tried to augment the situation but was not sharp enough.

A D entered and excused himself to the bathroom, saying “I’ll be just a second”.

An A entered but the bartender wasn’t convinced that this relative of C was not a minor.

Then the bartender noticed a B-flat hiding at the end of the bar. “Get out right now’ he yelled “you’re the seventh minor I’ve found in this bar tonight”.

The next night the E-flat returned to the bar in a 3 piece suit. The bartender said “You’re looking sharp tonight. This could be a major development”.

This was the case, when the E-flat took off the suit and stood there au natural.

Eventually the C sobered up and realized he was under a rest.

He was brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and was sentenced to ten years of D.S. without the the possibility of a coda.

On appeal, he was found innocent of any wrongdoing, even accidental, because the accusation was bassless.

The bartender decided he needed a rest—and closed the bar

Topic: Reviews & Recommendations / Definitive Performances

Every once in a while I’ll be struck by a performance – one that causes me to say that the artist “owns” that song. I had that feeling again this morning while listening to Nina Simone’s version of “I Loves You Porgy”. What passion! I’ve always loved this song but I’ve never been as moved by it as I was listening to Nina’s delivery (and I’m normally not a big Simone fan).

Another one that comes to mind, along these lines, is Eva Cassidy’s version of “Over The Rainbow”. Hard to imagine it done any better (and yes, I really like the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version too). Okay, so maybe it’s not technically jazz… but you should still hear it.

Anyone else have similar reactions to particular pieces?

Topic: Players & Bands / Young Players of Note

I’ve tracked down and listened to most all the aforementioned players. All very good. Thanks for the tips.
Here’s a young talent worth hearing. A twelve year old violinist playing jazz in the swing vain. His name is Jonathan Russell and he’s quite good. Check this performance out:
Click Here

Topic: Live Music Reviews / Bruce Forman and Cow Bop - " Count Basie on HorseBack"

Cool. As a former Bay Area resident, I recall seeing Bruce on a number of occasions. He’s a wonderful talent. I’ve not heard his Cow Bop material but I’m now very curious. Let’s hope he comes to the Portland area.

Topic: What's Happening? / A little humor from the brass section

Hilarious! Glad I’m a guitarist :-)

Topic: Jazz On The Radio / PLAYLIST:WBCX 89.1 FM Sounds of Jazz Jan 12,2008

Nice playlists. A few names I need to look into as well. Glad to see other Lynne Arriale fans out there too.
I went to your site but couldn’t tell whether the station is accessible via the Internet.
Thanks for sharing.

Topic: What's Happening? / Albert Collins on DVD! :)

I wasn’t able to get that link to work but I found a clip from the DVD (perhaps the same clip) here

Topic: Live Music Reviews / 75th Birthday Bash for David 'Fathead' Newman

I wasn’t (unfortunately) in attendance, but it looked like a great time. For the whole story Click Here

Topic: Audiophiles / Noise canceling headphones?

The family (bless them) gave me a pair of the Audio-Technicas for my birthday. Very pleased with them and, I believe, the price is around $125.

Topic: Jazz Polls & Lists / Favorite Ballads of All Time

The Getz version of “Blood Count” is indeed superb. In fact, the whole Pure Getz album is a treat. It had been a while since I heard it so it’s “spinning” as I write this. Pianist Jim McNeely, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Victor Lewis do a fantastic job.

Next stop: revisiting Evans’ version of “The Peacocks.”

Topic: Players & Bands / The Brazilian Thread

Hey, ASP
I liked the videos at “91849” and your group & drumming as well. I also thought that one Spok Frevo Orquestra piece from your favorites section really hopped. Great rhythms throughout all selections.