Rolling Jazz Thread 2021

Seems like the Blu-Ray supposedly had for instance an extra or longer interview with Denardo. according to whatever magazine.

Chicago Reader's Jonathan Rosenbaum had one caveat: The film's biggest limitation may be its focus on a single piece, "Skies of America," through many performances and incarnations over a seven-year period, which stretch geographically from Fort Worth and Berkeley to Morocco and Italy—a good idea in theory, but the third-stream trappings of the piece make it less than ideal for this kind of workout. Sounds even better to me!

This is mostly about Clarke's adventures in film, overall, esp The Connection, which I know only from music incl. in and associated with it, but what I've seen of and read about her other work def. has jazz appeal:
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/movies/the-shirley-clarke-project-by-milestone-films.html?pagewanted=all

Oh yeah---re her work with Ornette. wiki sez: The opening of the now-defunct Caravan of Dreams nightclub serves as a catalyst for (Made In America's) production, but Shirley Clarke had actually been working on the film for a span of over 20 years. The 1968 footage with Ornette, his young son, Denardo, and frequent collaborator Charlie Haden was filmed by Clarke for a separate film that never came to fruition.[2]

The Caravan of Dreams is a whole story in itself, incl. the associated record label; I still have some of their newsletter catalogues.

The recent book on Ornette, The Territory and the Adventure, deals quite a bit with the Caravan; the author worked there for several years.

I love Ornette and saw that film in a theatre, but unhappily I only remember some brief unfortunate animated bits where Ornette's picture bounces around the screen.

I always just listened to Mary Halvorson for the playing but after paying for Artlessly Falling and getting the booklet, I started paying attention to some of her lyrics. I'm almost shocked at how good they are (at least from my v inexpert pov) - I honestly didn't expect one of the leading guitar virtuosi of the time would also have this command of poetic imagery; it adds a whole other layer to my enjoyment of the album.

Smell of grease and mint.
Glissando female laughter.
Thirsty one spinning
tops. Gold outline of her neck,
crimped at its deepest plastic.

As cartoon backdrop:
lemon trees darkening, wish-
bones bit from a life.
Private crisis of the now.
These indolent visions, parched.

I remember her old out-rock band People (duo w/ Kevin Shea from Storm and Stress on drums) having some good lines (w/ her on vox instead of someone else singing as in Code Girl, of course)

Ha, so she can sing too!

Ha, I only just noticed that the poetic form of the text of each lyric is indicated in the bottom right of the pages - that one is a double tanka.

https://www.actmusic.com/en/Artists/Diego-Pinera/Odd-Wisdom/Odd-Wisdom-CD

I quite like this one from Uruguayan drummer Diego Pinera.

the he brings some awful vox to one of the tracks and it spoils my mood!

a good one from last year I've not seen hardly mentioned anywhere was the Anthony Pirog/Michael Formanek/Ches Smith album Pocket Poem.

Another track teased from the upcoming Pino/Mills + Gendel album, this one backed by digital tabla in slinky sevens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq4hSD1LvAo

I've only just realized how good Pirog is, even after having seen him perform live only once or twice.

Yeah we were digging AF over on Robert Wyatt: Classic or Dud?:

He's good on that Code Girl album--sounds old, but vivid, to lingering impression after tracks are over---and alb is all good, by far the best Halvorson set I've heard so far, maybe because she's an accompanist here, to singers and instrumental "chamber" (but non-antiseptic) jazz combo & soloists.
Seems like this might pertain:

― dow, Tuesday, 5 January 2021 19:45 (one month ago) link

i was a little cooler on the album overall, maybe it needs a few more spins to grow on me, but agree that Wyatt is fantastic on it

― nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Tuesday, 5 January 2021 19:50 (one month ago) link

It's a great setting for him and he sounds perfect on it even if I am not as high on as I was the first Code Girl record, but agreed I need some more time with it

― chr1sb3singer, Tuesday, 5 January 2021 20:47 (one month ago) link

I thought Amirtha Kidambi's vocals were very strong too, think she's the main singer other than Wyatt, although tenor saxophonist Maria Grand also gets voice credit on the bandcamp page. MH writing and picking but not singing is okay by me; People was like a Portlandia take off on jazz school nerds, although as such, could be entertaining, but it goes on a while. Anyway, this one is soooo much better, and whole thing is here:
https://maryhalvorson.bandcamp.com/album/artlessly-falling

Seems like this might pertain: Oops, meant to delete that along with something that did pertain to the Wyatt thread, but not this one so much.

Oh, tbc, I listened to the whole album a lot over the last year; I think I nominated it for the ILM poll. I just finally bought it on the last Bandcamp Friday. (I already owned the previous Code Girl album.)

Yeah, I figured you were pretty well familiar with it, that was just a link and reminder for those who are always trying catch up w bandcamp, like me.

Ah, yeah, right on

Grand must be doing backing vocals e.g. on the refrain of "Mexican War Streets (Pittsburgh)". Kidambi was the only credited vocalist on the previous Code Girl and the non-Wyatt lead vocals on this album sound like the exact same voice to me.

Going back to back to this Nicholas Payton album where he plays trumpet and Rhodes simultaneously, it's really pretty stunning how un-gimmicky it is. Also just a perfect sounding record. The Tiny Desk version is really good too.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3FXM1Oj2O936SuRHSl6Oc6?si=ANh9m0kRR8id3tdjjiq9SA

Saw he has a quarantine album but haven't checked it out yet.

Ok the quarantine album is a big nope

Tipitina's tv is showing New Orleans music docs all weekend plus on Mardi Gras. James Booker, Henry Butler, and brass bands ones may appeal to some on this thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwflNeY0HPM

Is it just me or is Jakob Bro almost inaudible on his latest for ECM, Uma Elmo? I assume this was a deliberate choice on his and Manfred Eicher's part, but the end result sounds like a duo between Arve Henriksen and Jorge Rossy, which is fine but false advertisement imo.

He's there, he's just the least interesting part of each track.

Hm, I really liked Streams and his live show a couple of years ago but maybe this means I should give this one a pass?

I love both Streams and Gefion, but on this one he sounds like he's about to dissolve into wispy insignificance. Perhaps he should've fully owned up to being the ambient guy in the team and taken his non-interventionist stance even further? It's still a decent album thanks to the other two (especially Henriksen), but I won't be revisiting it very often.

It makes me chuckle how, on Force Majeure, after they play the Sanders tune, Douglas declares "the Creator has a master plan for us all" and they jump straight into the Carpenters' "Sing". Kind of sweet to imagine that the plan is for us all to sing out loud and strong.

God moves in a mysterious way, maaaan.

More docs today Sunday

The Tipitina's virtual film festival continues today on the Tipitina's tv website and youtube page with the following lineup, which starts at 11am central and then repeats at 5:30pm.
11am Buckjumping
12:07pm Anders Osborne (2020)
12:30pm All On A Mardi Gras Day
1:30pm Treme Brass Band (2006)
2pm Tuba To Cuba
3:24pm Tipitina’s.TV Exclusive: Float Houses!
3:30pm Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music
5:14pm The Wild Magnolias (2004)
5:30pm Buckjumping
6:37pm Anders Osborne (2020)
7pm All On A Mardi Gras Day
8pm Treme Brass Band (2006)
8:30pm Tuba To Cuba
9:54pm Tipitina’s.TV Exclusive: Float Houses!
10pm Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music
11:44pm The Wild Magnolias (2004)

A little surprised nothing on Milford Graves' passing here.

In any case, RIP to one of the greats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi2kQ8JtPVw

See here:

I love you Milford graves!!!

Oh, sorry!

I need to remember to actually check New Answers more often— I rely on bookmarks too much.

From Luaka Bop:

On this day we are incredibly proud to announce Promises, a new album by Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and artwork by Julie Mehretu.
https://www.listentopromises.com/

Interviewed Joe Chambers today for my podcast. He has Some Shit To Say on the subject of Milford Graves, let me tell you.

Looking forward to that

Oh that rules, I love his new world album.

Intriguing excerpts from Data Lords via this check-in w Maria Scneeider: at first omninous, zoned, later sardonic, then positive instrumental response to unheard poetry---stream/download:
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/08/11/maria-schneider-data-lords

It's *all* instrumental themes, anti-voxxers have no fear (some have popped up on RJ threads of recent years)

This came into the world today, I'm enjoying myself quite a lot.

https://astralmitchellreed.bandcamp.com/album/the-ritual-and-the-dance

My least favourite of the three Palladino/Mills advance singles released so far, but even this Afrobeat/Latin Playboys situation is solid enough to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXQUVKko5J8

That Roscoe Mitchell/Mike Reed one is on tap for this afternoon, currently working my way through the Jeremiah Cymerman/Charlie Looker one, A Horizon Made of Canvas. Pretty good.

Uh-oh, just now got the memo:

Last Chance to Access Legacies of Excellence

Legacies of Excellence
Hosted by Catherine Russell
Available on demand through tonight
Ticket price: $20
Member price: free–$15

The first performance of the spring concert season is available to view for just one more day! Vocalist Catherine Russell hosts an extraordinary ensemble of jazz musicians in this concert for families and student audiences. The contributions of iconic jazz artists suc
h as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald will be explored in a performance demonstrating their lasting legacies
Catherine Russell, host/vocals
Sean Mason, piano
Russell Hall, bass
Rob Garcia, drums
Bruce Harris, trumpet/music director
Camille Thurman, saxophone/vocals
Mariel Bildsten, trombone.
Trailer or something, also ticket link:
https://jazzatlincolncenter.squarespace.com/virtual-season?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MKT21%3AFeb.24Newsletter&utm_content=version_A&promo=#catherinerussell

"One More Day" but today is last day/evening.
And speaking of Camille Thurman, excellent singer/saxophonist and vice-versa, judging by Jazz Night In America:
Don't Miss Camille Thurman at
Dizzy's Club

Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet
Thursday, Feb 25
7:30pm ET
Suggested ticket price: $10 / Free for JALC Members

Jazz at Lincoln Center's new live concert experience, Live From Dizzy’s, allows you to enjoy a night of beautiful music from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Experience the multi-talented Camille Thurman, a formidable saxophonist who recently took second place in the prestigious Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. Thurman is known for her stylistically varied mix of classic repertoire that highlights her chops as both a singer and instrumentalist; recent albums have featured songs by Sarah Vaughan, Wayne Shorter, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy McHugh, Milton Nascimento, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Angela Bofill, and others. Don't miss your chance to experience the full scope of Thurman’s artistry!
Tickets etc.: https://jazzatlincolncenter.squarespace.com/camille-thurman-darrell-green-trio?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MKT21%3AFeb.24Newsletter&utm_content=version_A&promo=

My least favourite of the three Palladino/Mills advance singles released so far,

Heh, it's definitely my favorite one so far. Probably the least ECM-y?

xpost Oh and dig the line-up!
Camille Thurman, Tenor Saxophone & Vocals
Darrell Green, Drums
Marvin Sewell, Guitar
Tom DiCarlo, Bass
Wallace Roney Jr., Trumpet

Sewell of course quite good w Moran, De Johnette, Qassandra, Brian Blade, still need to check the one w Tom Harrell, prob more

Damon Locks' Black Monument Ensemble has a new album, NOW, coming out in April (due to printing delays, the physical versions won't be out until July), and it's amazing. It's like a cross between the last two SAULT albums, Archie Shepp's Attica Blues, and an Adam Curtis documentary. There's a track streaming on International Anthem's Bandcamp page:

https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/now

Very promising!

Archie Shepp (must check out the new alb w Moran): I'm surprised that he regrets having made music maybe more "difficult" than nec. to get his ideas across, back in the day---Attica Blues, for instance, was one I could play at parties for distinctly non-arty types, as w several others in the 70s; his musical approach overall always seemed accessible by nature, compared to some others for sure:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/24/archie-shepp-on-jazz-race-and-freedom-institutions-continue-to-abuse-power

But at the end of that, he does respond that he's proudest of Attica Blues.