CD of the Day - "Léa Freire: Cartas Brasileiras"

CD of the Day
Léa Freire: "Cartas Brasileiras" (Maritaca) 2006

Sublime self-produced album by flutist/arranger/composer Léa Freire for her own Maritaca label. Surrounded by a stellar cast of musicians (including Gil Jardim, Paulo Bellinati, François de Lima, Paulo Braga, Daniel D'Alcântara, Teco Cardoso, Proveta, Edu Ribeiro, André Mehmari, Sylvio Mazzuca Jr. and the late Mozar Terra, amongst others), Léa offers a stunning collection of sumptuous pieces in chamber-jazz and symphonic moods. I can't find enough words to describe the beauty of this album, one of the best CDs of this century. I can't believe it took me three years to discover such a joyous masterpiece... Now, YOU deserve this experience!

Alexa Weber Morales live, tonight, in San Jose

Alexa Weber Morales, my favorite Bay Area latin jazz singer, will be appearing tonight in San Jose. She will be joined by Omar Ledezma on percussion and vocals and Murray Low on keyboards at the the swanky Hotel De Anza. Come on down and say hi! You deserve this pleasure.

Friday, February 27th, 2009
Hot Hot Hot Jazzzzzz - 8:30 - 12:30 PM
The Hedley Club at the De Anza Hotel
233 West Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Ph: 408/286-1000
********
On another subject, I got this message from AWB:

"After much internal debate, I decided to go for it, folks! I enjoyed the physical and philanthropic challenge of training for last year's Wildflower Olympic Triathlon so much that I had to repeat the experience! I had hoped to sign up for the Escape from Alcatraz, even though it scares the bejeezus out of me, but I didn't get a spot in the race via the lottery. So ... I'm back for another year as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training, and my goal is to improve my time on the Wildflower Olympic distance triathlon," Alexa says. "Heck, given my schedule I'll be happy to complete it again!"

The scenic Wildflower triathlons are held on May 2 at Lake San Antonio in Monterey County, California. The Olympic distance consists of a 1500 meter (.9 mile) swim, a 40 km (25 mile) bike race and a 10 km (6.2 mile) run. Last year I believe my time was around two and a half hours. I guess I ought to go back and look.

More important than my time is my purpose, however. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of my grandmother, who died of leukemia as a young mother. Through Team in Training I have met many other cancer survivors, young and old, who inspire me to live as fully as I can.

That's why I humbly ask you to please help advance LLS's mission by making a donation.
Last year, with your help I raised over $3000. This year, I'm aiming for $2500. This is a quality charity that uses 80% of all donations to directly fund cancer researchers, clinicians and patients. In this economy, LLS has made sure that it runs as efficiently as possible so that your generosity can have the profoundest effect on the lives of cancer patients. You will get a tax receipt via email immediately upon making a donation.

Spring 2009 classes @ Swing University

JAZZ CLASSES HELP RELEASE YOUR INNER SWING

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Swing University offers a deeper understanding and appreciation of jazz through adult education classes for everyone from novice to aficionado. Insights and expertise are shared by award winning jazz scholars and historians who have witnessed the history first hand. As well, these courses offer the rare opportunity to learn about jazz from the musicians themselves.

Spring 2009 classes include:

LESTER YOUNG with Phil Schaap
Mondays, 3/23; 3/30; 4/6 and 4/13
4-class session: $125
Tenor saxophonist Lester Young was the primary soloist in the original Count Basie Orchestra and Billie Holiday's favorite accompanist. Phil Schaap, a former neighbor of Young’s and a family friend, will teach you the essentials of "Prez"-idential history.

BEBOP! with Vincent Gardner
Tuesdays, 3/24; 3/31; 4/7; 4/14; 4/21; 4/28; 5/5 and 5/12
8-class session: $200
Virtuosity, fuller harmonies and a new rhythmic sense established this sound as a new type of jazz. Join Jazz at Lincoln Center trombonist Vincent Gardner for a close look at how Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie paved the way for other masters of this innovative sound.

JAZZ 101 with Phil Schaap
Tuesdays, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5 and 5/12; 6:30-8:30p.m.
8-class session: $200 (Introductory)
Discover the A to Z of jazz. Meet the Crescent City pioneers who taught musicians everywhere how to swing and the Big Band Era heartthrobs who brought jazz into prime time. Relive the bebop revolution and follow its descendents – cool, hard bop, modal and free jazz – into the Modern Era.

RAGTIME & JAZZ with Terry Waldo
Wednesdays, 3/25; 4/1; 4/15; 4/22; 4/29; 5/6; 5/13 and 5/20
8-class session: $200
Pianist-scholar Terry Waldo takes us back to the 19th century and Jazz in its pre-dawn. Our own Wynton Marsalis cites Waldo as the “guy to go to” for the study of Ragtime.

JAZZ 301 with Phil Schaap
Wednesdays, 3/25; 4/1; 4/15; 4/22; 4/29; 5/6 and 5/20*
7-class session: $250
You may know King Oliver, but what about Freddie Keppard? Can you distinguish John Coltrane from Sonny Rollins by ear? These intensive three-hour classes will help you answer these questions as we chart the same Jazz 101 and 201 trajectory but in greater depth. An optional final will be given two weeks after the last class, outstanding students will receive a certificate signed by Wynton Marsalis and Phil Schaap.
*This is a three-hour class and a six week course. The 7th class is the optional final.

For a full schedule of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2008-09 season events, go to: http://www.jalc.org/ or for more information on Swing U, go to: www.jalc.org/swingu

Irene Diamond Education Center at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, New York, NY
Courses from $125 to $250. To enroll, contact subscription services at 212.258.9999.
Single class tickets, from $30-40, are available for cash purchase at the door on the evening of the class. Please go to www.jalc.org/swingu for class-by-class listings.

ISC 2008 Finalists Announced

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is excited to announce its 2008 finalists and semi-finalists. ISC received over 15,500 entries from almost 100 countries worldwide, representing a great depth and diversity of talent. Congratulations to all finalists and semi-finalists!
Click here to see the complete list.

From now until March 31, 2009, you can take part in the People's Voice - an online voting contest that allows you to listen to and vote for your favorite ISC finalist. The winner of the People's Voice is in addition to, and completely separate from, the regular winners who will be selected by the prestigious ISC judging panel. The People's Voice is judged solely by public vote, and the winner will receive lots of cool prizes and bragging rights!

Visit http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/PVWelcome2008.htm to listen to all the ISC finalists' songs and cast your vote daily!

ISC is now accepting entries for the 2009 competition. Enter now and save $ on entry fees! Go to www.songwritingcompetition.com. In the meantime, all 2008 finalists' songs have been sent to the ISC judges who will select the winners (other than the People's Voice winner which is selected by you). All winners will be announced at the end of April, 2009, as soon as the results are in. Stay tuned...

R.I.P.: Walter Silva (Pica-Pau)

(Elis Regina & Walter Silva)

(born March 7, 1933, São Paulo, SP, Brazil)
died February 27, 2009, São Paulo, SP, Brazil)

Legendary Brazilian music producer, radio DJ, TV and record executive (on the RGE, Continental, Chantecler and RCA labels), Walter Silva - aka Pica-Pau (or Picapau) - worked with such acts like Elis Regina, Jair Rodrigues, Jongo Trio (on the historic "2 na Bossa" show/album), Copa Trio (the group that backed Elis & Marcos Valle on the live version of "Terra de Ninguém" from "A Bossa no Paramount"), Maysa, Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, Paulinho Nogueira, Nara Leão, Edu Lobo, Tamba Trio, Walter Franco and many others.
More details, pics and album covers on his official website:
http://www.waltersilvapicapau.com/

CD of the Day - "Vinicius Dorin: Revoada"

CD of the Day
Vinicius Dorin: "Revoada" (Maritaca) 2004

One of Brazil's top reedmen, Dorin offers an impressive solo outing, with great contributions by Írio Jr. (on Fender Rhodes), Fernando Corrêa (guitar), Enéias Xavier (bass) and Nenê (drums), plus special guests Hermeto Pascoal (piano & percussion on "Viniciando"), Arismar do Espírito Santo (acoustic guitar on a haunting version of Baden Powell's "Violão Vadio") and André Marques (piano in some tracks and the author of "Serpente").
Dorin's originals are intrincate and challenging tunes. A former member of Pascoal's band, he plays flutes, soprano, alto & tenor sax on this impeccable set. I had the honor to record with Dorin on an album I produced for pianist Edu Toledo, and I can't wait to see it finally released.

Diana Krall's "Quiet Nights" tour dates announced!

Tour ticket pre-sales for these shows start today:

June 16, 2009 - Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore, MD)

July 2, 2009 - Cape Cod Melody Tent (Hyannis, MA)

July 3, 2009 - Meadowbrook - US Cellular Pavilion (Gilford, NH)

August 8, 2009 - The Pearl Concert Theatre (Las Vegas, NV)

August 12, 2009 - Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco, CA)

August 23, 2009 - Santa Barbara Bowl (Santa Barbara, CA)

You can pre-order tickets for these shows from https://tixx1.artistarena.com/dianakrall

Additional Diana Krall U.S. tour dates will be announced soon. Stay tuned for details on the upcoming dates and tour ticket pre-sales!

Mardi Gras/Masquerade Festival in Hollywood, tomorrow

Mardi Gras/Masquerade Festival in Hollywood, this Friday, February 27, 10PM
at "Ritual"

1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd

Hollywood 90028

Cirque De Mardi Gras is Hollywood’s answer to the original New Orleans based festival that happens every year! The whole city will be in frenzy as King Ryan celebrates his 30th birthday by throwing a huge bash that will include a Mardi Gras/Masquerade theme, red carpet appearances by Hollywood’s A-list and elite, and Shifty Shellshock performing his hit song “Butterfly."

R.I.P.: Ian Carr

(Photo of Ian Carr, March 2003 by Roger Farbey)

Ian Carr

(born April 21, 1933, Dumfries, UK;

died February 25, 2009, London, UK)

http://www.iancarrsnucleus.net/IanCarrobituary.html

Ian Henry Randell Carr 21.4.33 – 25.2.09

Ian Carr was probably the greatest jazz trumpet player that the UK has produced. Certainly he was one of the great innovators in jazz and his award-winning band Nucleus captured the attention of a far wider audience than those usually commanded by more conventional jazz groups. Educated at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne he took a degree in English and served in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers during National Service where he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Ian Carr started out his professional jazz career in his home town of Newcastle in the 1950s playing in his brother Mike’s band, the EmCee 5 for which he underwent an audition to prove his worth (he passed it). By the early 1960s Carr had moved down to London from the North East of England and for a time played in bands led by flautist and saxophonist Harold McNair. He then joined established reedsman Don Rendell to form the Rendell Carr Quintet which recorded five albums for EMI’s Columbia label under the supervision of the British Svengali of jazz, Denis Preston for his renowned 'Lansdowne' jazz series of recordings. During this period Carr also performed and recorded with the New Jazz Orchestra whose members included the likes of Neil Ardley, Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thompson with whom he had subsequent associations in different musical projects. He also recorded albums under the aegis of Michael Garrick, Joe Harriott, Amancio d’Silva, Stan Tracey and Guy Warren of Ghana to name but a few.

Although the Rendell Carr Quintet was musically successful, as reflected in the Melody Maker jazz polls of the period, where the RCQ regularly won the small group category, Carr was beginning to yearn for greater, more adventurous careers pathways. Following an ambitious set of compositions for the notable album ‘Greek Variations’ (with other tracks composed by Don Rendell and Neil Ardley), Carr formed his own band Nucleus along with Karl Jenkins (keyboard, reeds) and John Marshall (drums) both former alumni of Graham Collier’s band plus New Zealand saxophonist Brian Smith, Jeff Clyne on bass and Chris Spedding on guitar. Nucleus recorded nine albums for Polygram’s Vertigo label between 1970 and 1975 and later for other labels including the US Capitol label. The group won first prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1970 and went on to play at the Newport Jazz Festival where they wowed audiences.

The original personnel of Nucleus changed after the first three albums, and many well-known jazz and rock names variously supplemented its ranks including Jack Bruce, Allan Holdsworth, Ray Russell, Alan Skidmore, Bryan Spring and Tony Levin. Carr was always the leader and main inspiration of Nucleus and often its chief composer, as with two Arts Council bursary-funded albums ‘Solar Plexus’ and ‘Labyrinth’. Carr recruited guest stars of international reputation for these projects including Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, Gordon Beck, Norma Winstone and Tony Coe. Nucleus also played a major role both in the recording and live performances of ‘A Kaleidoscope of Rainbows’ by Carr’s great friend, Neil Ardley.

By the late 1970s and with the dissolution of Nucleus, Carr, along with erstwhile New Jazz Orchestra colleagues Barbara Thompson and Jon Hiseman, became founder members of the superb United Jazz and Rock Ensemble which recorded a dozen albums including ‘Live in Schutzenhaus’. the biggest selling jazz album produced in Germany.

Carr also had a successful writing career and following his book on British jazz ‘Music Outside’ (Latimer, 1973 and republished in 2008) he went on to write the definitive biography of his hero, Miles Davis and later a biography of Keith Jarrett. He was also musical consultant for two films about these two musicians, made by the director Mike Dibb. Carr also co-edited the Rough Guide to Jazz with Digby Fairweather and Brian Priestley.

Ian Carr was also a broadcaster and amongst other projects he narrated a six-part series for BBC Radio 3's 'Jazz File' on the life of Miles Davis, broadcast to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Miles' birth in 2006. He was also an inspiring teacher and Associate Professor of Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He also taught at the Weekend Arts College for groups of young jazz musicians in North London and many of today’s jazz stars, such as pianist Julian Joseph and vocalist Cleveland Watkiss (both of whom performed at a tribute concert for Carr held at the Guildhall School of Music in November 2006) were inspired by him for his boundless enthusiasm and encouragement. He continued playing until the beginning of the twenty first century, with revived versions of Nucleus, a duet album with John Taylor (‘Songs and Sweet Airs’) and yet another project with Neil Ardley, Zyklus. He also guested with the orchestras of George Russell and Mike Gibbs.

Personally, Carr had his share of troubles with the death of his first wife Margaret in childbirth in 1967. He developed bowel cancer in the mid-1970s but following surgery, he managed a swift recovery from this illness. He also suffered from bouts of depression and one of his later albums was entitled ‘Out of the Long Dark’ reflecting his emergence from this condition. In the early 2000s he had a succession of mini strokes but continued to work and play, however, he was later afflicted by Alzheimer’s Disease. He spent his last years in specialist care homes.

Wider public recognition came late for Ian Carr receiving 'Services to Jazz' presentations from both the BBC Jazz Awards and the Parliamentary Jazz Awards coincidentally in the same year (2006). Despite all his troubles, Carr remained an irrepressibly cheerful and enthusiastic person and was a true inspiration to countless friends, colleagues and fans alike. - Roger Farbey

***********

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ian-carr-trumpeter-and-composer-whose-band-nucleus-was-at-the-forefront-of-the-jazzrock-movement-1633339.html

Ian Carr: Trumpeter and composer whose band Nucleus was at the forefront of the jazz-rock movement

A modest and gentle fellow, the trumpeter Ian Carr was surprised when, as leader of the band Nucleus in 1970, he was thrust suddenly to the crest of the American jazz-rock boom. An ingénue to fame, he reacted to his instant eminence as incredulously as William Boot had in Evelyn Waugh's Scoop.

"It seemed we could do no wrong in America," Carr recalled. "I remember getting on a jumbo jet and flying back to London. Away from the madness, electricity, enthusiasm, friendliness, open-spiritedness, the extremes and professionalism of America, and back to the quiet anonymity of Britain. It was like returning from a forest full of wild beasts where one could never be certain who was the hunter or who or what was being hunted, to a small landscape garden with some plaster gnomes in it."

Formed in September 1969, Nucleus were an immediate and explosive success and in 1970 appeared at two of the world's most prestigious jazz festivals at Newport and Montreux. The band were inspired to some extent by the contemporary electrified experiments of Miles Davis, but mostly by Carr's wide-ranging ideas about exotic and non-Western improvisation and rhythmic patterns. These he combined with his own jazz improvisation and the sort of ostinato bass patterns brought into the rock field by Davis acolytes such as Herbie Hancock.

It was Davis, however, who was the pre-eminent influence on Carr's work and Carr became one of the world's leading scholars on the subject of Davis and his music. Apart from his musical talents he wrote prose with great style and also had a distinguished career as a radio presenter.

Carr grew up in the North East, started learning the piano when he was 12 and began teaching himself the trumpet when he was 17. He took a degree in literature at King's College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and did National Service in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers from 1956-58 before spending two years "wandering around Europe".

On his return to Newcastle, he involved himself in the local jazz scene and in 1960 joined his brother Mike's band, the EmCee Five. He travelled south to London in 1962 and joined Harold McNair's quintet, and then in 1963 formed a successful quintet with the tenor player Don Rendell that survived until 1969. The band recorded five albums for the enthusiastic producer Denis Preston. Carr also worked and recorded in those years with the New Jazz Orchestra led by Neil Ardley, and with Michael Garrick, Stan Tracey, Barbara Thompson and several other of the more adventurous bands.

He recorded with the inspired but ill-fated altoist Joe Harriott in 1969 and then, bringing his interest in Davis's jazz-rock electronics to fruition, formed Nucleus in 1970. The strength of Carr's own input gave the band originality and they successfully toured worldwide and made a total of 13 albums. Over the years Nucleus drew in some of the best musicians from the British jazz scene, including John Marshall, Karl Jenkins, Brian Smith, Jeff Clyne, Chris Spedding, Harry Beckett, Tony Coe and Ron Mathewson. Nucleus finally disbanded in the late Eighties.

In 1976 Carr had begun to tour Europe with the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, beginning an association which was to last for the next 28 years. A trenchant and eloquent author, he shed light on some disgracefully overlooked titans of British jazz with Music Outside (1973), and co-authored Jazz: The Essential Companion (1987), revised in 1995 as Jazz: The Rough Guide. In 1991 he published Keith Jarrett The Man And His Music. But his great achievement as an author was Miles Davis: A Critical Biography (1982), which became one of the classic books on jazz when Carr expanded and revised it as Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography (1998).

Carr was one of the best of the BBC's jazz presenters and listeners enjoyed and came to trust his measured and lucid assessments of the music. He made two lengthy and remarkable radio series on Miles Davis and Keith Jarrett, travelling to New York with the Radio Three producer Derek Dreschler for his comprehensive research.

"I find him a joy to work with," said Dreschler. "It's jolly nice working with someone who really throws himself into it with such enthusiasm."

At the beginning of the decade Carr also collaborated with Mike Dibb to produce two seminal films for Channel 4 television, one on Davis and one on Jarrett. He taught as Associate Professor of Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and in 2006 he was given an award for Services to Jazz at the BBC Jazz Awards.

He had to fight much adversity for his life was dogged by ill-health and his first wife died in childbirth. He defeated cancer in the mid-Seventies but was afterwards subject to chronic fits of depression and in the last decade he suffered a series of strokes that led to the early onset of Alzheimer's disease, forcing him to spend his last years in a succession of care homes. - Steve Voce

Ian Henry Randall Carr, trumpeter, bandleader, composer, author, teacher: born Dumfries 21 April 1933; married firstly Margaret Bell (deceased, one daughter), secondly Sandy Major (marriage dissolved); died London 25 February 2009.

CD of the Day - "Karyme Hass: Amor Solene"

CD of the Day
Karyme Hass: "Amor Solene" (DPR) 2009

A very pleasant pop album by the sensuous Curitiba-based singer/songwriter Karyme Hass.
Produced by Nilo Romero, featuring Billy Brandão, Sacha Amback, Christian Oyens, Damien Seth, Humberto Barros, Kadu Lambach, Wander Nascimento et al.

Kenny Barron @ Jazz Bakery

THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 27 through MARCH 1
at the JAZZ BAKERY

KENNY BARRON Piano
KIYOSHI KITAGAWA Bass
FRANCISCO MELA Drums

The reigning dean of bop pianists is a premier interpreter of Monk, deep blues or a lilting samba!
TICKETS: $30 ($15 for students 21 and under)
SHOW TIMES: 8 PM & 9:30 PM each night
For more details, go to: www.jazzbakery.org

Obama: "My address to Congress"

Dear Arnaldo,

Our records show that you live in California's 23rd district.

Last night, I addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time.

To confront the serious economic challenges our nation faces, I called for a new era of responsibility and cooperation. We need to look beyond short term political calculations and make vital investments in health care, energy, and education that will make America stronger and more prosperous well into the future.

Watch a few highlights from my address and share it with your friends now:

A little more than a month into my administration, we've already taken bold steps to address our urgent economic problems.

Through the Recovery Act, the Stability Plan, and the Housing Plan, we're taking the immediate necessary measures to halt our economic downturn and provide much-needed assistance to working people and their families.

But to set our country on a new course of stability and prosperity, we must reject the old ways of doing business in Washington. We can no longer tolerate fiscal deficits and runaway spending while deferring the consequences to future generations.

That's why I pledged last night to cut our deficit in half by the end of my term. Achieving that goal will require making sacrifices and hard decisions, as well as an honest budgeting process that is straight with taxpayers about where their dollars are going.

Watch some key moments from my address now: http://my.barackobama.com/presidentialaddress

Central to this plan will be a renewed commitment to honesty and transparency in government. Restoring our country's economic health will only happen when ordinary citizens are given the opportunity to hold their representatives fully accountable for the decisions they make.

I look forward to continuing to work with you as we bring about the change you made possible.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Antoinette Montague live at The Baird Center, NJ

Sat. Feb. 28, 2009
Season Opener
Jazz at The Baird Center
5 Mead Street
South Orange, NJ
Two sets 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm
$15 in advance, $20 at the door
973-378-7768
www.thebaird.org

(Please note this event is almost SOLD OUT so call for tickets today).
************
Upcoming Performances:

Saturday, March 14th, 2009 9:00 pm, 10:30 pm, 12 midnight
Lady’s Got Chops Festival * Blues Sisters
The Jazz Spot
375 Kosciuszko Street, Brooklyn, NY
$10 • 718-453-7825

Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz at the Baháí Center
Johns Birkes Gillespie Auditorium
53 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003
$15 • 212-674-8998
www.bahainyc.org

Saturday, April 18, 2009, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Jazz, A Woman’s Viewpoint
Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium
23 Pulaski Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
$10 • 718-569-1896 ext. 104
www.centralbrooklynjazzconsortium.org

Antoinette Montague has been profiled in the Newark Star-Ledger by music and entertainment writer Zan Stewart. You can go here to read the article on their web site.

R.I.P.: Victor Lewis

Victor Lewis - UK guitarist, not to be mistaken with US drummer Victor Lewis

(born July 29, 1919, London, UK;

died Feb 9, 2009, London, UK)

Victor Lewis, the English guitar player, bandleader and agent, died February 9th in London at the age of 89. The London-born Lewis started playing the banjo at age three and with 16 formed the Vic Lewis Swing String Quartet which played over the radio. In 1938 he traveled to New York where Leonard Feather arranged for him to play with the Joe Marsala band. Back in England he led a band with the drummer Jack Parnell in the 1940s and in 1946 formed his first big band which played in the "progressive" style of Stan Kenton. From 1959 Lewis worked as a booking agent bringing Nat King Cole to Britain and the Beatles to America. In the 1980s he put another big band together recording with visiting West Coast jazzmen Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank.

Obituary:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/victor-lewis-bandleader-guitarist-and-agent-1631299.html

DVD of the Day - "Talk Talk: Live at Montreux 1986"

DVD of the Day
Talk Talk: "Live at Montreux 1986" (Eagle Vision/ST2) 2009

Talk Talk were one of the most sucessful British bands of the eighties. They enjoyed a string of hit singles both in the UK and right across Europe. 1986 was the band's only appearance at Montreux and caught them at the height of their success, during the promo tour (their very last!) of the album "The Colour of Spring." With a set list packed with such hits as "It's My Life" (which closes the show, being followed by three encores), "Living in Another World" and "Life's What You Make It," and lead singer/main songwriter Mark Hollis' charismatic performance, they delivered a nice 87-minute concert that draws a great response from the packed Swiss crowd. Joining the core live band of Hollis, Paul Webb (electric bass) & Lee Harris (drums) were John Turnbull, Ian Curnow, Rupert Black, Phil Reis and Leroy Williams.

CD of the Day - "Alaide Costa: Coração"

CD of the Day
Alaide Costa: "Coração" (EMI) 1976/2009

The second best Alaide Costa album, after her masterpiece with Oscar Castro-Neves in 1973.
Recorded in 1976 for the Odeon label, "Coração" is being released for the first time on CD by EMI, with excellent remastering by Luigi Hoffer and the original Cafi cover art reproduced on the booklet.
It's a very dense and eloquent project, produced by Milton Nascimento and arranged & conducted by João Donato, who worked at his own very slow pace and drove Alaide crazy by taking six months to complete the magnificent (and opulent) orchestrations, using strings, woodwinds & brass sections, and harp. The result is superb!
Donato & Nascimento assembled a top-class rhythm section, including Milton's frequent associates Novelli (bass), Robertinho Silva (drums), Nelson Angelo (acoustic & electric guitars), Toninho Horta (electric guitar) plus a large symphony orchestra, with backing vocals by Novelli, Angelo, Donato, Beto Guedes and Fernando Leporace, the latter having written the song "O Que Se Sabe de Cor," which closes the disc. Other musicians involved also contributed with original songs to the program.
Ivan Lins guests (on piano) on his own "Corpos", while Nelson Angelo contributed the wondrous title track, with lyrics by Ronaldo Bastos.
Novelli co-wrote (with Mauricio Tapajós and Paulo Cesar Pinheiro) the haunting ballad "Tomara", performed by Alaide & Donato as a vocal/piano minimalist duet - it's interesting to compare it with another spectacular recording of "Tomara" done that same year by Flora Purim & McCoy Tyner for Purim's "Encounter" album.
There are also nice songs by Sueli Costa ("O Samba Que Eu Lhe Fiz"), Johnny Alf ("Quem Sou Eu?"), Donato & his lyricist brother Lysias Enio ("Sonho e Fantasia"), Alaide's own "Tempo Calado" with Paulo Alberto Ventura, a new version of Milton Nascimento's epic "Pai Grande", and my personal favorite tracks: Toninho Horta's "Viver de Amor", Danilo Caymmi's "Pé Sem Cabeça" (lyrics by his then-wife Ana Terra, credited as Ana Borba, and a song that Danilo would include in 1977 on his debut solo LP, "Cheiro de Mato") and Nascimento's "Catavento", a wordless vocal number that became a cult-hit on the acid-jazz dancefloor scene in the late 80s/early 90s in Japan and Europe, with Donato's arrangement quoting another Nascimento tune, "Circo Marimbondo". Don't miss it!

Single of the Day - "Gainsbourg & Colombier: Mister Freedom"

7" Single of the Day
Serge Gainsbourg & Michel Colombier: "Mister Freedom" (Barclay/Universal) 2009

The original soundtrack composed by Gainsbourg and my late friend Colombier for the William Klein movie "Mister Freedom", originally released in 1968, has just been reissued two days ago (February 23) in Europe by Universal Music Jazz France. The six tracks reappear with impeccable sound quality on this 7-inch picture sleeve single. Essentiel!

Finalists Announced for 14th Annual Essentially Ellington!

15 HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 14TH ANNUAL ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON:

Agoura High School, Agoura Hills, CA
Calabasas High School, Calabasas, CA
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
New World School of the Arts, Miami, FL
North Scott High School, Eldridge, IA
Foxboro High School, Foxboro, MA
Wellesley High School, Wellesley, MA
Kingston High School, Kingston, NY
State College Area High School, State College, PA
Newport High School, Bellevue, WA
Garfield High School, Seattle, WA
Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA
Beloit Memorial High School, Beloit, WI
Eau Claire Memorial High School, Eau Claire, WI
Badger Union High School, Lake Geneva, WI

Winner of Conglomerate Band Workshop:
American Music Program Jazz Orchestra, Portland, OR
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Jazz at Lincoln Center announced the 15 finalist bands for its prestigious 14th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. The bands will compete and participate in workshops, jam sessions and more, during the three-day competition and festival in New York City. The top-placing bands perform with Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis, as guest soloist, followed by a performance by the 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra – all of whom serve as mentors for the finalist bands throughout the weekend. The festival culminates with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding soloists, sections and the top three bands. The Competition & Festival is the culmination of the annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program (EE), which also includes regional festivals, curriculum resources, a summer Band Director Academy, monthly newsletters and more.

Judges: WYNTON MARSALIS, DAVID BERGER, REGINALD THOMAS, GERALD WILSON

In-School Clinicians: RON CARTER, JUSTIN DICIOCCIO, VINCENT GARDNER, WYCLIFFE GORDON, DANA HALL, LOREN SCHOENBERG, TERELL STAFFORD and RODNEY WHITAKER

Mentors: members of the JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA

Competition & Festival: May 8-10 at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Final Concert: May 10 at Avery Fisher Hall, 7:30 p.m.
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Free tickets for the Competition can be obtained at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, Broadway at 60th Street beginning on April 20. Tickets for the Concert and Awards Ceremony are $20 or $25 and available now at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, by calling CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500 or at www.jalc.org

For more information or a schedule of events, visit: www.EssentiallyEllington.org
For the Essentially Ellington Alumni MySpace, visit: http://profile.myspace.com/eealumni
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Background/Statistics:
Throughout March and April, Jazz at Lincoln Center will send, free of charge, a professional musician to each of the 15 finalist schools to lead an intensive day-long workshop of rehearsals, lessons and master classes. The free clinics are part of the rich 14-year history of this unique music education program, which has reached more than 275,000 students in more than 4,500 high schools across all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and American schools abroad. Essentially Ellington has produced and distributed more than 80,000 copies of 80 previously unavailable scores and 192 finalist bands have come to New York City to participate in the annual Competition & Festival.

This year Jazz at Lincoln Center distributed more than 8,700 newly transcribed Duke Ellington and Benny Carter scores, reference recordings and additional educational materials. The 2008-09 Essentially Ellington season is the first time in the history of the program that Carter’s works includes in the program repertoire. This year’s repertoire includes by Duke Ellington: “Jeep’s Blues,” “Moon Over Cuba” and “Perdido” and by Benny Carter: “Symphony in Riffs,” “Again and Again” and “Movin’ Uptown.”

These materials were sent to 1,450 high schools in the United States, Canada and American schools in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and Taiwan.
107 bands entered the competition by submitting a recorded performance of three Ellington compositions.
The entries were evaluated in a blind screening by jazz education experts RON CARTER and LOREN SCHOENBERG.
15 finalists were selected.

Diana Krall joins Becel's Love Your Heart Benefit

On April 23rd, Diana Krall will join one of two benefit concerts in support of The Heart Truth, that will be simulcast in participating theatres across Canada.

Part of the proceeds of Diana's "Quiet Nights" tour will go to benefit the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Introduce Your Kids to Jazz with WeBop!

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop! classes for the spring term are now open for enrollment with free trial classes for interested parents March 7 & 8. Intended for children ages 8 months-5 years old, WeBop!’s spring term explores the people of jazz with focus on legendary jazz musicians and composers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie. These classes offer a creative outlet for children and their parents/caregivers to explore jazz through movement, songs, storytelling and play.

Classes are segmented based on age:

HIPSTERS: 8-16 months old
SCATTERS: Walking-23 months old
STOMPERS: 2-3 years old
GUMBO GROUP: 3-5 years old
SYNCOPATORS: 4-5 years old

WeBop! is produced in collaboration with Dr. Lori Custodero of Teachers College at Columbia University.
For more information, visit: www.jalc.org/webop

Louis Armstrong Classroom, Irene Diamond Education Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Broadway at 60th Street, New York City.

Spring Term runs weekly from March 17 through May 17, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays. Free trial classes on March 7 & 8 at 9:30 a.m. (8-23 months), 10:30 a.m. (2-3 years old), 11:30 a.m. (4-5 years old) or 12:30 p.m. (3-5 years old).

Register for term now by visiting www.jalc.org/webop or calling the WeBop! Registration line at 212.258.9835 (M-F 11 a.m.-5 p.m.); $300 for an 8 week-term. RSVP required for trial classes by calling WeBop! Associate Xenia Rubinos at 212.258.9835.

Mario Ferraro & City Lights Ensemble

City Lights
Exciting new works by City's postgraduate students performed by the City Lights Ensemble.
Tuesday 24th February 7pm
Performance Space
Northampton Square, EC1V 0HB

The annual concert for works by City University composers, City Lights, will take place in the newly refurbished Performance Space at City University London. Seven composers will be represented, including three MPhil/PhD students, Carlos Duque, Mario Ferraro and Sarah Collins, three MA students, Sam Jellet, Christos Zoumpos and Huw Catchpole Davies, and Rhian Samuel, Professor of Composition at City University. The works range from pieces for solo flute to a work for female soloist, three amateur singers and piano.

A sparkling array of performers will be featured, including two internationally-recognised singers of contemporary opera, Lore Lixenberg, mezzo-soprano (one of City’s most illustrious alumnae) and Gwion Thomas, baritone. Other graduates of City University also appearing on the programme are Audrey Milheres, flute (MA), and Celeste Cronje-Richardson, soprano (BMus), both of whom received distinctions in performance last year and are now pursuing graduate studies at London conservatories. Completing the international line-up are established cello soloists, Stjepan Hauser and Catherine Wilmers, and pianists Ilga Pitkevica, Yoko Misumi, Melanie Jones and Dimitris Marinos.
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Owen Murray
Accordion Concert
Tuesday 17th March 2009 7pm

Performance Space
Northampton Square, EC1V 0HB

Several outstanding, virtuoso accordionists from the Royal Academy of Music, under their tutor, Professor Owen Murray, will present a concert at the newly-refurbished Performance Area of the Music Department. The accordion programme at the RAM, established by Prof. Murray, was the first of its kind in the UK, and draws its highly talented students from all over the world, in particular Eastern Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam and Korea.

Four of the pieces to be included in the concert were written by post-graduate composers at City University for workshops run by Prof. Murray and Prof. Rhian Samuel of City University last spring and will receive their first performance at this concert. The composers are Mario Ferraro, Sarah Collins and Carlos Duque, all enrolled on the MPhil/PhD programme, and Samantha Jellett, currently completing an MA in Composition. Carlos Duque's piece, Iduna (named after the Norse goddess of youth, fertility and death) recently won the prestigious Francisco Escudero International Composition Contest in Spain, where the piece will receive its second performance.
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City University Symphony Orchestra
Spring Concert
30 Apr 2009 7:30 PM

LSO St Luke's

BARTÓK: Dances of Transylvania
HUMMEL: Piano Concerto No 3 in B minor
MARIO FERRARO: Miragem (world premiere)
BERNSTEIN: On the Waterfront: symphonic suite

Anthony Weeden conductor
Andrew Brownell piano
City University Symphony Orchestra
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London Sinfonietta Ensemble
15 May 2009 7:30 PM
St James' Picadilly

Brazilian Carnival Ball, tomorrow, in San Francisco

Tomorrow night, February 21, in San Francisco, California:
BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL BALL

"Alegria Alegria Ball" with singers Sonia Santos & Ana Gazzola, who are releasing their third delightful album, "Brasil Brazil 3".
At LIVE@888 Brannan (former Gift Center)
Show time 9:30 PM

"The band is outfitted in bright yellow and green costumes and the production has the joyful feel of Carnaval. The music, tinged with jazz and spiced with Latin and African drumming, creates an uplifting experience of awesome proportions," says Santos.

Star-studded night raises more than $2 million for the VGH Hospital

Stellar performances by Diana Krall, James Taylor, Elton John, and Elvis Costello dazzled and delighted 550 guests at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver as part of last night’s invitation-only, black tie charity benefit, raising more than $2 million in funds to help patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia and other blood-related cancers at VGH. Diana Krall treated guests to a world-debut performance of the Burt Bacharach composition, “Walk on By,” from her Brazilian-infused, soon-to-be-released album, “Quiet Nights.” Sarah McLachlan, a guest of the evening and West Vancouver neighbour, added to the evening’s special cachet with a heartfelt impromptu solo performance.

The evening culminated in a tour-de-force finale featuring Diana Krall, James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan and Elvis Costello--the first such time the artists have ever performed on stage together. Highlights from the evening’s spectacular live auction included a spontaneous offer by Elton John to have one’s own lyrics set to music penned, performed and recorded by Elton John himself—a once in a lifetime opportunity—which was offered to two individuals for $250,000 each. Another unique offering, which went for $120,000, featured an all-inclusive seven-night stay for 10 people at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, compliments of the Radcliffe Foundation, which included the unique offer of a night of campfire songs performed by Sarah McLachlan.

“Our wish has always been to pass along the precious gift of time that we had with our mother and to give other families more time with their own loved ones,” said Diana Krall. “I’m honoured that my husband, Elvis Costello, my dear friends, James Taylor , Elton John and Sarah McLachlan, and so many generous donors and sponsors have joined us in our family’s vision of great care combined with comfort and hope for a cure.”

“Proceeds from this event will help fund research for better, less toxic treatments to help people live longer lives, and ultimately help us find ‘made-in B.C.’ cures for blood cancers,” said Dr. Michael Barnett, Head, Divisions of Hematology, VGH & UBC. “These funds will also help us maintain the highest standards of care for patients in the uplifting and supportive surroundings of the Krall Centre here at VGH.” “We are extremely grateful to Diana, her family, the artists, our sponsors, especially our title sponsor, the Radcliffe Foundation, and our many donors for their generous contributions to patient care and research here at VGH,” Ron Dumouchelle, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

The Krall family’s commitment to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a heartfelt expression of their thanks for the wonderful care Adella Krall received through the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program at VGH. Adella, wife of Jim Krall and mother of Diana and Michelle, enjoyed six additional precious years of life following her 1996 diagnosis of multiple myeloma - an incurable form of cancer that affects the immune system. Since Adella’s passing in May 2002, the Krall family has continued to demonstrate their commitment to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to help others living with multiple myeloma to have the best care possible, to celebrate Adella’s vision of helping leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients and their families and ultimately, to contribute to finding a cure.

In total, these seven charity benefits have raised more than $6 million. VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises funds for the latest, most sophisticated medical equipment, world-class research and improvements to patient care for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. For more than 25 years, the Foundation and its donors have been a bridge between the essential health care governments provide and the most advanced health care possible. For more information please contact: Foundation contact: Entertainment Publicity: Jon Hicke Kim Juneja Director, Marketing & Communications Media Relations VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation Indoor Recess Inc. Tel: (604) 875-5196 Tel: (604) 947-9802 jon.hicke@worldclasshealthcare.ca kim@indoorrecess.com

DVD of the Day - "Happy Mondays: Call The Cops"

DVD of the Day
Happy Mondays: "Call The Cops" (Eagle Vision/ST2) 2009

This DVD captures the English pop/house band on their first American tour in 1990 in support of their "Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches" album. It combines performance footage from The Sound Factory in New York (captured by the famous remote truck of The Record Plant) with behind the scenes material to give a really intimate portrait of the band. There are also cameo appearance from Keith Allen and the late Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records.

Happy Mondays were, along with the Stone Roses, the defining band of the Manchester scene in the late 80s and early 90s. Their music combined rock and house elements in a unique fusion which, coupled with Shaun Ryder's biting lyrics, became the soundtrack of the era. The original line-up was Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day (aka "Moose" or "Cowhead"), keyboardist Paul Davis (aka P.D), and drummer Gary Whelan. Bez would later join the band onstage during a live performance after befriending Shaun Ryder (known to him as "X") and served as a dancer/percussionist. Rowetta joined the band to provide backing vocals in the early 1990s. The tracklist includes such songs as "Step On," "Clap Your Hands," "Kinky Afro," "Lazyitis," "Rave On," "Do It Better" and "Wrote For Luck", many of them featuring guest vocalist Rowetta Satchell.

R.I.P.: Fred Rundquist

Fred Rundquist
(born 1918, Kiruna, Sweden;
died Feb. 5, 2009, Chicago/Illinois, USA)

The guitarist Fred Rundquist died February 5th in Chicago at the age of 91. Rundquist was born in Sweden, but his family moved to Chicago when he was 5. At the age of 18 he decided to become a professional musician. He played in the Army Air Force band, and then worked with the jazz accordionist Art Van Damme with whom he toured extensively. He worked in orchestras accompanying top singers such as Peggy Lee, Judy Garland or Frank Sinatra and did extensive studio work. Obituary: Chicago Tribune.

Source: Jazzinstitut Darmstadt

CD of the Day - "Sallaberry: Sambatuque"

CD of the Day
Salaberry: "Sambatuque" (Tum Tum Home Music) 2009

One of Brazil's top drummers in the current scene, Sallaberry releases his second solo effort. He wrote or co-wrote (with partners like Mauricio Marques, Luciano Magno, Fabio Valois, Jorge Pescara, Marcos Romera, Julio Herrlein, Luciano Mazzeo, Sandro Haick, Wanderson Bersani, Fabio Leão, Claudio Celso and Tarcisio Edson Cesar) all the 13 songs in the program.
All of the above mentioned musicians also perform on "Sambatuque", along with bassists Chico Willcox and Adriano Paternostro, guitarists Fulvio de Oliveira and Beto Di Franco, saxophonist Derico Sciotti and many others.
Guitarist Claudio Celso, whom I first heard 25 years ago when he recorded on Claudio Roditi's debut album for CTI ("Red on Red"), shines on his own "Surprise". Electric bass wizard Jorge Pescara uses his Megatar Toneweaver Bass on "Caliente". Claudio Infante plays tabla & kartalas on another Eastern-influenced tune, "Namaskar".
Other favorite tracks: "Cumbica" (delightful bossa), "Outono", the frenetic "La Luna" (including the horn section comprised by Esdras Gallo, Edmilson Chiquinho & Hugo Ksenhuk), "Bela", "Frevo Amigo" (Cassio Ferreira on soprano sax) and "Balacobaco".
Sallaberry endorses Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads, C. Ibañez sticks, Power Click in ear monitor, Urban Boards drummer shoes, and Free Hand percussion.

Alexa Weber Morales & Sabrosona tonight in Sunnyvale

Tonight, the Alexa Weber Morales Band hosts special dance guests Rueda Con Ritmo and Sabrosona for the first of several shows over the next few months! If Sunnyvale is too far for you, spread the word to someone in the Peninsula/San Jose/Silicon Valley area.

The fun starts Thursday, February 19 at 7 pm at Senzala, a delicious, spacious Brazilian eatery and cultural center located at 250 E. Java Dr. in Sunnyvale, Calif (I've tried to embed the Google map below -- not sure if it will work). Tickets are $12 and include a Cuban circle dance class, two sets by the intoxicating Alexa Weber Morales Band, and two performances by two new dance troupes, Rueda Con Ritmo (couples) and Sabrosona (all women)! Senzala is an all-ages venue and children are welcome.

Senzala is fast becoming a hot-spot for Latin American and Brazilian dance and music events, and has expanded their event schedule to a new night: Thursdays! Peninsula residents are urged to spread the word that affordable, high-energy and family-friendly fun is now in the neighborhood! Here's the schedule for next Thursday, February 19:

7-7:30 Rueda de casino dance class taught by Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead

7:30-8:30 First set, Alexa Weber Morales MiniBand featuring Grammy-nominated percussionist Omar Ledezma, pianist Jonathan Alford, bassist Sam Bevan and singer-songwriter Alexa Weber Morales!

8:30-8:45 Dance performances by Rueda Con Ritmo and Sabrosona

8:45-9:30 Second set, Alexa Weber Morales MiniBand
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ABOUT RUEDA CON RITMO

Ryan Mead was studying jazz percussion at the New England Conservatory when he took his first trip to Cuba, and his life was changed forever. He became an avid student of Cuban dance and music, both popular and folkloric, making several trips to Cuba (most recently on a grant from Stanford). Fluent in Spanish, he has studied Cuban and Miami-style salsa and rueda in Washington DC, Miami, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and has been teaching for 4 years.

Sidney Weaverling is a longtime contributer to of the currently thriving Cuban-style salsa scene in the SF Bay Area, with more than 10 years of experience as a teacher, performer, and choreographer. Apart from her remarkable proficiency with Cuban popular dance, she has extensive knowledge of Brazilian and African styles. She has studied at the Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) in Cuba and hosted study trips for her students at myriad schools in Miami, notably SalsaLovers and Salsa Racing. Sidney not only has a beautiful, fluid style – she has the experience to transform and inspire dancers at any level.

That's TONIGHT!
Thursday, February 19th, 2009
With Rueda Con Ritmo and Sabrosona! - 7:00-9:30 PM
Senzala Restaurant
250 E Java Dr
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
(408) 734-1656 Price: $12

7-7:30 Rueda de casino dance class taught by Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead
7:30-8:30 First set, Alexa Weber Morales MiniBand featuring Grammy-nominated percussionist Omar Ledezma, pianist Jonathan Alford, bassist Sam Bevan and singer-songwriter Alexa Weber Morales
8:30-8:45 Dance performances by Rueda Con Ritmo and Sabrosona
8:45-9:30 Second set, Alexa Weber Morales MiniBand
View Larger Map

DVD of the Day - "Juliette and the Licks: Four on the Floor"

DVD of the Day
Juliette and the Licks: "Four on the Floor" (Lake Enterprises/ST2) 2009

A special & limited "collector's edition" of a 2-disc set including a 90-minute long DVD and the "Four on the Floor" CD in the same package. Amazing high-energy & real excitement by the actress-turned-rock star (some would call it "punk rock") Juliette Lewis and her band. Real "Hot Stuff"! Juliette sings with passion and intensity (not to mention her natural sensuality) as she crawls from the stage and dives into the crowd in several moments.

Contents:
The Making of "Four on the Floor" featuring Foo Fighters great drummer Dave Grohl (filmed when recording his parts for the album) and the overdubbed vocal sessions by Juliette, the Rock Princess of Scientology. The "making of" was directed by Lightfield Lewis, Juliette's devoted brother.
The Live Licks section includes five songs filmed live in Paris: "Death of a Whore," "Hot Kiss" (during a vigorous performance at the Eurockeenes Festival), "American Boy," "Hot Stuff" and "I Never Got To Tell You."
There are also eight short "episodes" reunited in a section entitled Loose Licks: Hyde Park, Instabul (which also includes a short sequence filmed during a concert in China), Stuffed Animal Love, David Lee Roth (an hilarious part, on which Juliette explains why she preferred to mirror on Roth than on Madonna), Hot Stuff, Open Mic, Kemble Aussie Video, and Old School Licks (including live performances of "American Boy," "You’re Speaking My language" and "Shelter Your Needs.")
Plus three original music videos: "Hot Kiss," "Purgatory Blues" and "Sticky Honey."
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In 2003, Juliette formed Juliette and the Licks, a five piece outfit whose guitarists, Todd Morse (from NY hardcore act H20) and Kemble Walters would prove a constant in its fledgling, revolving line-ups. Deciding that the live arena would be the best way for the band to discover its identity, J&TL hit the road appearing on the Vans Warped Tour in 2004 as well as opening for acts as diverse as Turbonegro, Social Distortion and Courtney Love. The following year brought with it a hurricane of activity that saw the band’s first studio releases ("Like a Bolt of Lightening" EP, swiftly followed by self-produced debut album, "You’re Speaking My Language"), while a relentless touring schedule saw them play to over 500,000 people in over 20 countries.
The Licks crossed paths with many during their International travels and as luck would have it, one such encounter played an integral role in shaping their sophomore album. The end of 2005 came with the departure of Licks’ drummer and in stepped Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer, Dave Grohl. Originally brought in to play on demos, Grohl extended his stay for all the recording sessions of the "Four on the Floor" album in California. Ed Davis replaced Grohl during the promotional tour in 2006 and remained with the band.

Marlene VerPlanck live in NY, next Tuesday

Help us welcome Marlene VerPlanck: Celebrating her 20th CD, “Once There Was a Moon,” with Tedd Firth on piano, Steve LaSpina on bass and Ron Vincent on drums to “Jazz Tuesdays" in the Gillespie Auditorium at the New York Baha'i Center at 53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway) next Tuesday, February 24. There will be two shows at 8:00 and 9:30 p.m. Call 212-222-5159 for Reservations and Information.

Throughout her career, Marlene VerPlanck has stuck to her guns, paying loving care to the great standards and new songs from our finest composers. Songwriter Hugh Martin ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") expressed it well: "We know our songs are safe in the hands of Marlene VerPlanck, and she will sing them better than anyone else."

Millions of people first heard Marlene's crystal-clear voice anonymously, on radio and television, when she touted the merits of dozens of commercial products, including "Mm-mm good, mm-mm good, that's what Campbell's Soups are..." However, she got her start in the big-band business, as a very young vocalist with Charlie Spivak and Tex Beneke. During a brief stint with the last Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, she met her future husband, musician-arranger Billy VerPlanck.

In time, Marlene became one of the nation's busiest studio singers, backing up vocalists ranging from Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme to Kiss. Following appearances on Alec Wilder's historic National Public Radio series, "American Popular Songs," in the 1970s, Marlene emerged as a leading solo performer. Appearances at Carnegie Hall, Michael's Pub and the Rainbow Room brought rave notices, and national TV shows, including "Entertainment Tonight," "The Today Show" and CBS's "Sunday Morning," featured profiles of the increasingly popular singer.

Today, Marlene performs across North America and Europe, featuring music from her 20 critically-acclaimed solo CDs. The albums include exciting arrangements scored by her husband, Billy VerPlanck, with accompaniment by many of America's finest musicians. In addition to her Audiophile albums, Marlene joined Mel Tormé and Julius LaRosa with the Glenn Miller Orchestra on "In a Digital Mood," the first big-band CD to go gold. Also, at the personal request of Richard Adler, the renowned composer of "Damn Yankees" and "The Pajama Game," Marlene recorded some of Adler's most memorable music on "You Gotta Have Heart: The Songs of Richard Adler."

For more information and a sample of “Once There Was a Moon” and other music, visit www.marleneverplanck.com

Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.
Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for reservations and information.
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Jazz Tuesdays
in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium
The New York Baha'i Center
53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway)
Two shows: 8:00 and 9:30 p.m.

R.I.P.: Mat Mathews

Mat Mathews
(born June 18, 1924, Den Haag/Netherlands;
died Feb. 12, 2009, Rotterdam/Netherlands)

The Dutch accordionist Mat Mathews died February 12th in Rotterdam at the age of 84. He became well known as one of the few jazz accordionists, especially while he lived in New York between 1952 and 1964 where he recorded with Oscar Pettiford, Carmen McRae, Art Farmer, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke and others. After his return to the Netherlands he arranged and produced music for television, radio and films.
Source: Jazzinstitut Darmstadt

CD of the Day - "Sabrina Malheiros: New Morning"

CD of the Day
Sabrina Malheiros: "New Morning" (Far Out) 2008

Sabrina wrote and/or co-wrote all songs (with the exception of "It's Not Late") on "New Morning," her second album (not counting the "Vibrasons" remix project, of course).

My personal favorites tracks are "Brisa Mar," "Sintonia," "Nova Estaçao," "It's Too Late" (yes, the old Carole King hit, arranged by Azymuth's keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami), "Essa Canção," "Sem Pressa" and "Vou Voar."

Among the featured musicians: the proud dad Alex Malheiros, Paulo Braga, Ivan Conti, Fernando Moraes (who performed on her live debut at London's "Jazz Café" years ago), Eduardo Neves, Paulo Guimarães, Zero, Vittor Santos, Zé Carlos (the guitarist, not the reedman), Daniel Maunick (who also produced the entire project and arranged many songs) and Arthur Verocai, responsible for the strings arrangements.

Very nice cover art too, on digipack format.

R.I.P.: Snooks Eaglin

Snooks Eaglin
(born January 21, 1936, New Orleans/LA, USA;
died February 18, 2009, New Orleans/Louisiana, USA)

The rhythm and blues guitarist and singer Snooks Eaglin died of a heart attack February 18th in New Orleans at the age of 72. Eaglin had performed with many rhythm 'n' blues and rock musicians and was hailed as one of the "unique giants of New Orleans music". Among his best known songs was "Funky Malaguena". Obituary: San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian.

Houston Person live tonight in LA at the Crowne Plaza

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
2 SHOWS 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
$20.00 one show, $30.00 both shows
HOUSTON PERSON QUARTET
Houston Person (tenor sax), Llew Matthews (piano), Chuck Berghofer (bass) & Ralph Penland (drums)

SAXOPHONE GIANT TO GIVE ONLY ONE LOS ANGELES PERFORMANCE!

Houston Person, a passionate tenor saxophonist, enjoyed a musical partnership with the great Etta Jones that lasted over 30 years. Person is recognized as today's leading instrumentalist in the tradition of Stanley Turrentine and for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing. He has more than 75 albums under his own name on Prestige, Westbound, Mercury, Savoy, Muse, and is currently with High Note Records.

Houston has recorded with Charles Brown, Bill Charlap, Charles Earland, Lena Horne, Etta Jones, Lou Rawls, Horace Silver, Dakota Staton, Billy Butler and many more.

My personal favorite albums are the duo projects with bassist Ron Carter as well as Houston's collaborations in the '80s with keyboardists Les McCann ("Road Warriors") and Roger Kellaway ("Creation") under the production of Creed Taylor (CTI).

The Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel
BRASSERIE JAZZ LOUNGE
5985 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-642-7500, http://www.crowneplaza.com/

No Cover; $15.00 Minimum Food or Drink; Validated Parking; Los Angeles Jazz Society Card Members Receive 15% off Food & Non Alcoholic Beverages

Call In-House Music for Reservations...
There are still a few seats left!
310-216-5861

R.I.P.:Tereza Souza

The Brazilian lyricist Tereza Souza died on February 15, in São Paulo, at age 68. Born October 9, 1940, she was the widow of composer/guitarist/record executive Walter Santos (with whom she co-founded the Som da Gente label) and the mother of LA-based singer Luciana Souza.

Kenny Barron: 2 concerts in NY

KENNY BARRON: WORDS AND MUSIC
MARCH 19 & 21, 2009

Fresh from a worldwide tour that took him from Nagoya to Moscow, master of jazz piano, Kenny Barron, joined by Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Francisco Mela on drums, puts the spotlight on his own compositions and arrangements from his latest album, The Traveler. Joining the trio will be two of the featured vocalists on the album, Gretchen Parlato and Grady Tate.
For a full schedule of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2008-09 season events, go to: www.jalc.org

Thursday, March 19 & Saturday, March 21, 2009 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, New York, NY

Tickets are $60 and can be purchased through www.jalc.org or CenterCharge at 212.721.6500, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, located on Broadway at 60th Street, ground floor. Box office hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

DVD of the Day - "Wu-Tang Clan: Live at Montreux 2007"

DVD of the Day
Wu-Tang Clan: "Live at Montreux 2007" (Eagle Vision/ST2) 2009

The power of live hip-hop! In July 2007 the famous Stravinski Auditorium at Montreux was witness to a gathering of the Wu-Tang Clan. With the exception of the sadly deceased Ol' Dirty Bastard, the whole Clan was present: RZA, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon The Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and Masta Killa. Also joining the party were some of their extended family members: Cappadonna, Streetlife and DJ Mathematics. This rare gathering of the full clan took Montreux by storm and got the whole audience on their feet and jumping with a set featuring all their best known hits and classics plus a number of solo tracks, including a clutch of Ol' Dirty Bastard hits.

CD of the Day - "Sabrina Malheiros: Vibrasons"

CD of the Day
Sabrina Malheiros: "Vibrasons" (Far Out) 2006

A remix project of Sabrina's debut album, "Equilibria." The opening track is a killer recreation of her version of Marcos Valle/Paulo Sergio Valle's "Terra de Ninguém" by the Italian master Nicola Conte, who reconstructed the track by adding a complete new all-acoustic instrumentation (featuring Pietro Lussu's piano) and building up a new arrangement around the vocals of Sabrina and her father Alex Malheiros. Surprisingly, it sounds better than the original version heard on "Equilibria."
Daniel Maunick (aka DJ Venom), the album producer, also took care of this appealing nu jazz dancefloor collection, doing the remix of "Passa."
There are very good contributions also by Kirk DeGiorgio, Kenny Dope, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick (Incognito), Will Holland (Quantic), Mark Robertson (Spiritual South), Boston Rodriguez and Roc Hunter.
"Iemanjá", previously released only as Sabrina's first single EP, is included as a bonus track. And "Capoeira Vai" can be heard on two different remixes. However, there's no recreation of Ana Mazzotti's "Eu Sou Mais Eu," one of the best moments from "Equilibria."

EP of the Day - "Sabrina Malheiros: Maracatueira"

EP of the Day

Sabrina Malheiros: "Maracatueira - Incognito Remixes" (Far Out) 2005

Side A
1. Main Mix
2. Musicapella
Side B
1. Black Sunshine
2. Cog Beatz

Another best-selling EP by the London-based Brazilian songstress. Co-written by Sabrina and her father Alex Malheiros, "Maracatueira" (a song from her "Equilibria" album), produced & arranged by her husband Daniel Maunick, appears in four massive remixes done by Daniel's father, Incognito's leader Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick.

News from Kristin Korb

(front cover of Korb's forthcoming CD, "In The Meantime")

Message from the gorgeous bassist/singer Kristin Korb:

"Dear Arnaldo,
Happy Presidents' Day!
I hope this finds you staying dry or enjoying the winter showers (whichever works for you). There is some exciting stuff happening this week. I hope I'll be able to see you at one of the events. After this little local stint, I am out touring until April. "In The Meantime" will officially be released on March 1.
I won't be able to have an official event with you until after I return in April. Of course, you can always come to one of these local gigs for your special pre-release copy. I can hook you up.
See you soon!
Kristin"

Diana Krall's "Quiet Nights" also on vinyl

Verve Records has just decided today that "Quiet Nights," the forthcoming Diana Krall album with brilliant arrangements by Claus Ogerman, will be also released on vinyl in Europe, in a limited issue printed by the German division of Universal Music Group. Both the CD and the LP are scheduled for European release on March 27 (the US release date remains March 31).

"Summer in the City" @ Karussell

"Summer in the City", the best-selling Quincy Jones CD compilation produced by Arnaldo DeSouteiro for Verve, is now also available at Karussell.
To order, please click on the link below:
https://shop.karussell.de/detailanz/produktanzeige.rt?prid=532306

Hi and special invite from Lili Haydn

"I hope all is well in your world.
These happen to be life changing times for many of us, and I realize that my great joy is to play and sing and perform, so it is with delight that i invite you to a show i'm doing at the HOTEL CAFE this THURSDAY, FEB 19 at 10pm sharp. I am so excited to be playing with my favorite musicians, and sharing the second half of the night with one of my favorite singers and dear friend Angela McCluskey (Telepop Music, Wild Colonials).

Angela and I have talked about sharing a night for years, and this will be my first time playing at the celebrated Hotel Cafe. I'll be playing new music, a few faves from my last record, and experimenting with new sounds (i've discovered the gypsy in my voice!) and many new inspired melodies. I hope to see you there!

In other news, I'm just back from the Sundance Film Festival, where the film I scored "Over the Hills and Far Away" premiered, and where i performed with Doors drummer John Densmore and my co-composer/guitarist Kim Carroll. http://shared.devseason.com/concepts/doors/lilihaydn2.mov

I also spoke on a couple of great panels (Women in Film, and BMI's composer/director roundtable) with so many brilliantly talented film makers and composers. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sundance/2009/01/women-in-film-i.html

Wednesday, I will perform for the National Civil Rights Museum as Angela Bassett presents the screening of their Academy Award Winning Documentary "The Witness: From The Balcony of Room 306." Also just finished working on a new film with Hans Zimmer, called "The Boat that Rocked", and finally distilling the journey into songs for the next record.

Till soon, much love and many blessings,
Hope to see you on the 19th!
Lili
***********
HOTEL CAFE
1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
http://www.hotelcafe.com/

Obama signs American and Reinvestment Act into law

"Dear Arnaldo,

Our records show that you live in California's 23rd district.

Today, I signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.This is a historic step -- the first of many as we work together to climb out of this crisis -- and I want to thank you for your resolve and your support.

You organized thousands of house meetings. You shared your ideas and personal stories. And you informed your friends and neighbors about the need for immediate action. You continue to be a powerful voice for change throughout the country. The recovery plan will create or save 3.5 million jobs, provide tax cuts for working and middle-class families, and invest in health care and clean energy. It's a bold plan to address a huge problem, and it will require my vigilance and yours to make sure it's done right.

I've assigned a team of managers to oversee the implementation of the recovery act. We are committed to making sure no dollar is wasted. But accountability begins with you.

That's why my administration has created Recovery.gov, a new website where citizens can track every dollar spent and every job created. We'll invite you and your neighbors to weigh in with comments and questions. Our progress will also be measured by the tens of thousands of personal stories submitted by people who are struggling to make ends meet. If you haven't already, you can read stories from families all across the country: http://my.barackobama.com/yourstories

Your stories are the heart of this recovery plan, and that's what I'll focus on every day as President. With your continued support, we'll emerge a stronger and more prosperous nation.

Thank you,
President Barack Obama"

Miles Stiebel free download - "Midnight Fifty"

FREE Download of "Midnight Fifty" from Excellent Distraction

www.milesstiebel.com

Curtis Henderson releases new CD

A SALUTE TO THE PHILY SOUND!
BRINGING BACK THE SWEET SMOOTH SOUL
OF THE ‘70s, ‘80s & ‘90s!

Beginning in 2007, singer/television executive and producer Curtis Henderson began collaborating with R&B producers Larry Woo and Gordon Worthy to begin work on his first CD, "Magic of the Night." Juggling a full-time job as General Manager of Boston Neighborhood Network by day and working into the wee hours of the morning in the studio, this stellar team completed eleven original tunes and three covers. Just released [February 15, 2009], the new CD combines some of Curt’s favorite funky influences of the ‘70s and ‘80s, mixed with some sweet, sweet soul to create a sound for today. Saxophonist Walter Beasley, guitarist Jeff Lockhart, saxophonist Andre Ward, keyboardist Frank Wilkins and vocalist Athene Wilson are featured on the new disc.

In sync with the release of "Magic of the Night," Henderson will appear at Scullers Jazz Club on Tuesday, March 24 at 8:00 pm. Tickets at $18.00 each can be purchased on line via www.ticketweb.com, at www.scullersjazz.com or by calling Scullers directly at 617-562-4111. For more information, call: 617-562-4111. Scullers is located on the second floor in the DoubleTree Guest Suites Boston [400 Soldiers Field Road, Allston]; the club is wheelchair accessible.

Boston’s best musicians will make Henderfson’s band at Scullers: Athene Wilson (guest vocalist), Joseph Davis, Jr. (drums), Anthony Grant (sax & keyboards), Edvard Lee & Ryan Brown (keyboards), Webster Roach (bass), Milton McCarthy (percussion), Wayne Jones (guitar) and the Jones sisters, Elise and Leslie, singing background vocals.