DownBeat December 2007 issue

DownBeat December 2007
72nd Annual Readers Poll Results

Bonus Distribution: 11,000 High School Music Programs (Future of Jazz)
500 Midwest Clinic

Cover Story
Stanley Clarke -- Clarke’s prodigious bass playing has set a high standard for the instrument. And lately, his music has become much more prominent, with a new DVD and CD. Plus, he’s becoming an instrument entrepreneur, with the release of his Spellbinder line of instruments. Then there are the rumors of a Return to Forever reunion tour in 2008.

FEATURES
Bix Beiderbecke -- A recent sale of some of the trumpet legend’s letters opens the window to the life of this great American cultural martyr.

72nd ANNUAL DOWNBEAT READERS POLL

Sonny Rollins -- Jazz Artist & Tenor Saxophonist of the Year
In September, the jazz legend brought a new trio to Carnegie Hall—Roy Haynes and Christian McBride—to re-create his 1957 Carnegie show. We offer a behind-the-scenes account of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Michael Brecker: Hall of Fame -- We honor the newest inductee into the Hall of Fame with a story on his music and legacy by his friend and colleague, Pat Metheny.
Pat Metheny -- Jazz Album (Metheny–Mehldau) & Guitarist of the Year
Between work with his project with Brad Mehldau, our top guitarist has been preparing for a worldwide tour and album. with his trio.

BLINDFOLD TEST -- E.S.T. Live at North Sea

PLAYERS
Nappy Brown (voice)
Wayne Krantz (guitar)
Jacques Schwarz-Bart (saxophone)
Esperanza Spalding (bass)

THE BEAT
• Riffs—Jazz News From Around The Globe
• Living Jazz, European Scene
• Caught: Monterey, Chicago and Guelph Jazz Festivals
• Backstage With ... John Scofield
• Joe Zawinul Obituary
• Festival Of New Trumpet Music
• New film chronicles expatriate New Orleans musicians • Jimmy Reed “highway” project promotes Texas blues musicians • New study shows music’s impact on Chicago economy

WOODSHED
• Jazz on Campus: Kenny Barron distance learning in Ottawa
• Transcription: Charles Lloyd’s saxophone solo on “Brother On A Rooftop”
• Master Class: Rufus Reid

REVIEWS - Hot Box
Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Monterey Moods (Mack Avenue)
Herbie Hancock, River: The Joni Letters (Verve)
Bill McHenry, Roses (Sunnyside)
Erik Friedlander, Block Ice & Propane (Skipstone)

Other Reviews:
Jason Lindner Big Band, Live At The Jazz Gallery (Anzic)
Rempis Percussion Quartet, Hunter-Gatherers (482)
Various Artists, Goin’ Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino (Vanguard)
Freddy Cole, Music Maestro Please (HighNote)
Eric Alexander, Temple Of Olympic Zeus (HighNote)
David Hazeltine, The Inspiration Suite (Sharp Nine)
Manu Chao, Ahora Qué (Nacional)
Jeremy Pelt & WiRED, Shock Value—Live At Smoke (MaxJazz)
Myra Melford/Tanya Kalmanovitch, Heart Mountain (Perspicacity)
John Scofield, This Meets That (EmArcy)
Michael Musillami Trio, The Treatment (Playscape)
Rob Reddy’s Small Town, The Book Of The Storm (Reddy Music)
Matthew Garrison/Jeff Sipe/Alex Machacek, Improvision (Abstract Logix)
Tardo Hammer, Look Stop & Listen: The Music Of Tadd Dameron (Sharp Nine)
Richard Galliano Quartet, If You Love Me (CamJazz)
Joe Cohn, Restless (Arbors)
Bonerama, Bringing It Home (Bonerama)
William Parker, The Inside Songs Of Curtis Mayfield (Rai Trade)
William Parker/Raining On The Moon, Corn Meal Dance (AUM Fidelity)
ONJO, Live, Vol. 1 and Live, Vol. 2 (Doubt Music)
Jean-Michel Pilc, New Dreams (Dreyfus)
Lalo Schifrin, Lalo Schifrin & Friends (Aleph)
Antonio Sanchez, Migration (CamJazz)
Bill Mays, The Inventions Trio (Palmetto)
Chico Hamilton, Hamiltonia (Joyous Shout!)
John Santos Quintet, Papa Mambo (Machete)
Scott Amendola/Ben Goldberg/Devin Hoff, Plays Monk (Long Song)
Aki Takase/Silke Eberhard, Ornette Coleman Anthology (Intakt)
Chris Botti, Italia (Columbia)

Jazz Box
Stacey Kent, Breakfast On The Morning Tram (Blue Note)
Deborah Cox, Destination Moon (Decca)
Sophie Milman, Make Someone Happy (Linus)
Ledisi, Lost & Found (Verve)
Nellie McKay, Obligatory Villagers (Hungry Mouse)
Kelly Eisenhour, Seek And Find (BluJazz)

Blues Box
Howard Tate, A Portrait Of Howard (Solid Ground)
Marie Knight, Let Us Get Together (M.C.)
Sterling Harrison, Sings! (Hacktone)
The Spiritualaires, Singing Songs Of Praise (CaseQuarter)
Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy, Cotton Field To Coffee House (DG)
John Black,The Soul Of John Black (Yellow Dog)

Beyond
David Bowie, David Bowie Box (ISO/Columbia)

Historical
Miles Davis, The Complete On The Corner Sessions (Columbia/Legacy)

Book
Wilfrid Sheed, The House That George Built (Random House)