"DownBeat" - December 2009

COVER
Paquito D'Rivera, Clarinetist of the Year in the 74th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll.
Grammy-winning artist and instrumental virtuoso Paquito D'Rivera has made a huge impact on both jazz and classical idioms during his illustrious career. Whether bebopping at the White House, performing with the London Philharmonic or composing a specially commissioned concerto, the Cuban-born master reedman is always at the top of his game.

FEATURES
The complete list of the 2009 Readers Poll winners, which includes Diana Krall, Kurt Elling, Béla Fleck, Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Christian McBride, Jack DeJohnette, Gary Burton, Poncho Sanchez, James Carter, Joey DeFrancesco, Robin Eubanks and many others, besides five Brazilian artists among the finalists.

Freddie Hubbard, Hall of Fame -- Hubbard's dazzling technique and musical genius made him one of the most influential trumpeters in modern jazz. DB honors Hubbard, who passed away earlier this year, by welcoming him into the prestigious DownBeat Hall of Fame.

Kenny Garrett, Alto Saxophonist of the Year -- Garrett continues to challenge himself by moving forward in multiple creative directions, embracing everything from straightahead jazz to funk to classical music.

Corey Harris -- For more than a decade, the guitarist-vocalist has dug for the deepest and truest essence of the blues, reggae, gospel and other roots music. His latest CD, blu.black, examines the history of African-American culture and connects it with the present day and future generations.
Lester Young Classic Interview -- DownBeat continues its 75th Anniversary celebration with the legendary tenor saxophonist's 100th birthday with a Classic Interview reprinted from the DB archives.

SPECIAL SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE -- DownBeat presents great gift ideas for the musician on your list. This special section features reviews of the latest holiday jazz CDs and an interview with pianist/composer Carla Bley about her latest ECM release, Carla's Christmas Carols.

PLAYERS
Melissa Walker (voice)
Jason Rigby (saxophone)
Greg Malcolm (guitar)
Mike Melito (drums)

BLINDFOLD TEST -- Charles McPherson, Live at Detroit Jazz Festival

THE BEAT
New Chicago Jazz Foundation Takes Off
Organist Sam Yahel switches to acoustic piano for new release (Posi-Tone Records)
European Scene
Caught: Angel City Jazz Festival, Los Angeles, Composers and Improvisers Festival in Berlin.

WOODSHED
Master Class: Blues Variations, by Antonio Garcia
Transcription: Tina Brooks' tenor sax solo on Good Ole Soul, from album True Blue (Blue Note)
Jazz on Campus: Chuck Owen's Brecker tribute at the University of South Florida;

REVIEWS
Hot Box
Randy Brecker, Nostalgic Journey (Summit)
Dafnis Prieto, Live At Jazz Standard (Dafnison Music)
Chris Potter Underground, Ultrahang (Artists Share)
Donny McCaslin, Declaration (Sunnyside)

CD Reviews
Nick Kepics, Rounding The Bend (NikNak)
Andrew Rathburn, Where We Are Now (SteepleChase)
Jackie Ryan, Doozy (OpenArt)
Paul Murphy/Larry Willis, Foundations (indie)
Art Pepper History Project vol. 4 (Widow's Taste)
Ben Allison, Think Free (Palmetto)
Trio 3 + Geri Allen, At This Time (Intakt)
Henry Threadgill Zooid, This Brings Us To (Pi)
Yellowjackets, New Morning the Paris Concert DVD (Heads Up)
Lisa Sokolov, A Quiet Thing (Laughing Horse Records)
One For All, Return Of The Lineup (Sharp Nine)
Josh Berman Quintet, Old Idea (Delmark)
Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge, The Comet's Tail (MAMA)
Bobby Selvaggio, Modern Times (Arabesque)
Mark Buselli, An Old Soul (Owl Studios)
The Big Four Quintet, Sanctified (Tub Thumper)
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, One Day In Brooklyn (Kinnara/Calabro)
Bud Shank Quartet, Fascinating Rhythms (Jazzed Media)
Kevin Brady Trio, Zeitgeist (Fresh Sound)
Jacam Manricks, Labyrinth (Manricks Music)
David Friesen, Five & Three (ITM)
Ja La La, That Old Mercer Magic (Dare)
Lee Konitz/Dan Tepfer, Duos With Lee (Sunnyside)
Yaron Herman Trio, Muse (Sunnyside)
Ian Dogole & Hemispheres, Crossroads (Sunnyside)
Paul Motian, Trio 2001 and Two At Village Vanguard (Winter & Winter)
Anthony Wilson Trio, Jack Of Hearts (Groove Note)
Anthony Wilson and Chico Pinheiro (Goat Hill)
Sharel Cassity, Relentless (Jazz Legacy Productions)

Jazz
Anthony Braxton Quartet, Standards (Brussels) 2006 (Amirani)
Anthony Braxton & Italian Instabile Orchestra (bolzano) 2007 (Rai Trade)
Anthony Braxton Quartet (Moscow) 2008 (Leo)
Anthony Braxton/Kyle Benders Toronto (duets) 2007 (Barnyard Records)
Anthony Braxton Creative Orchestra (Guelph) 2007 (Spool)

Blues
Joe Louis Walker: Between a Rock (Stony Plain)
Old Jawbone (Jackalope)
Big Pete Pearson: Screamer (Modesto) and Finger in Eye (VizzTone)
Jeff Golub: Blues For You (E1)
J Hansen: Give the Drummer Some (Greaseland)
R&B Bombers: Bad Behavior (Bombers)

Beyond
Take Me to the River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977 (Kent)
Betty Davis: Nasty Gal (Light in the Attic)
The Marvelettes: Forever (Hip-O/Universal)
Little Richard: Live at the Toronto Peace Festival (Shout Factory)

Historical
Jazz Icons, Volume 4, DVDs (Reelin' In The Years)

Book Review
Steven Brower, Satchmo: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong (Abrams)