01/20-21/04
Yoshi's
OAKLAND, California
Yep, that's right. I was doing a snoopy dance all over the place when I found this out yesterday. Hopefully, there will be additional dates added. For more concert information on Lizz Wright, go to lizzwright.net.
Enjoy your weekend!!!
I figured I had better leave a note here before the web journal police stop by and give me a citation for not having fresh entries. I'm alright, I'm okay. Just busy as ever. I took a little break to do some other important stuff like listening to new music, checking out a couple of concerts, and getting a little fresh air. The SFJAZZ Festival began last week and I attended McCoy Tyner's opening night solo piano performance at the Herbst Theatre and saw Mavis Staples in her tribute to the music of Mahalia Jackson at Grace Cathedral last Friday evening. Last night, I went to see Ledisi with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra in a tribute to the music of Ella Fitzgerald at Yoshi's. Tonight, I am going to see Cecil Taylor in his solo piano performance at the Palace of Fine Arts.
In my inbox...
The Royal Initiative to Combat AIDS (RICA) presents Songs for Life, an album dedicated to raising AIDS awareness in South Africa.
NYTimes.com Article: Taking Jazz Into Strange (90 Minute) Territory
NYTimes.com Article: The Perils of Living Too Long
Brazzil.com: Sinatra Revealed Me the Sounds of Brazil - an excellent piece on the history of bossa nova.
Jazz vocalist Carla Cook is sensational. Her music touches your heart in a special way. I met her at the Monterey Jazz Festival and she is so cool and super nice. If you do not have her latest MAXJAZZ release, Simply Natural, run out get it along with Dem Bones and It's All About Love. Please welcome Carla to the j-notes Jazz Lounge.
j-notes.com: Your musical selections cover all genres of music. How would you describe your singing style?
Carla Cook: "I'd describe the style as jazz with the influences of all I've been exposed to during my lifetime. European, Classical, Religious, Classic R&B (particularly Motown since I grew up in Detroit during that era.")
j-notes.com: When did you know that you wanted to sing and if you were not singing, what would you be doing?
Carla Cook: "It's difficult to say. However, I enjoyed teaching Social Studies and more recently I've developed a passion for gardening. I think being a landscaper could have been in the cards!"
j-notes.com: How do select the gospel hymns that are included on your albums? Would you consider doing an album of jazz infused gospel hymns?
Carla Cook: "I try to include one "inspirational" song on each CD. The first,"Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" was chosen because it was a favorite of my late Mom's. "Come Ye Disconsolate" was one of my favorites as a child, and "Something 'Bout Believing" comes from Duke Ellington's Sacred Series and just seemed appropriate after 9/11. It's music for the world, and not just people of any one faith."
"As far as an album of jazz infused gospel hymns, I don't know. I'm not a pure gospel singer. Though I do know a lot of hymns, my repertoire is really filled more with spirituals and anthems. I grew up in the CME church, (Christian Methodist Episcopal). I will however, continue to include something inspirational on my recordings."
j-notes.com: Who would like to sing a duet with?
Carla Cook: "What a fun question! I'd like to sing a duet with lots of folks. Maybe Freddie Cole, Keb' Mo or Bonnie Raitt. I recently did a double bill with Lucky Peterson. We'd planned an informal duet, but time ran short and it didn't happen. But who knows?"
j-notes.com: When will you be going back into the studio?
Carla Cook: "I'd like to go back into the studio the early part of next year. Gathering ideas right now."
j-notes.com: Where would you like to see yourself in ten years?
Carla Cook: "I'm open about the kinds of musical experiences I'd like to accumulate. Certainly I'd like to still be recording music that I love, but also perhaps soundtracks, a few fun jingles. I don't know that I'd like to constantly be traveling though. That's kind of tough - I do want a "regular" home life. You know, husband, maybe children, and a dog."
j-notes.com: How well did you do with your gardening this year?
Carla Cook: "Glad you asked!! My garden was fantastic and unfortunately, the summer's about over. My flowers are beautiful and give me much joy. I've also got a bumper crop of grape tomatoes. The collards were eaten by something or other during a road trip. Also, I've got wonderful mint and have treated my guests to a special Mint Lemonade. You'll have to come out here and try it!!"
Thanks James!!
Thanks Carla and continued blessings to you!!!
Please read more about Carla, including her upcoming tour dates, on her MAXJAZZ homepage or her personal site, carlacook.com.
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691 comments
On October 15, 2002, I posted my first entry on this weblog. There is so much that has happened in my life since that first entry. I am constantly amazed and richly blessed just because I stepped out on faith and pursued my dream of writing about music. I have met some of the coolest people in and out of the blogosphere and I am glad to call them friends. Here are some of the highlights of the past year and a look forward into the next year. Yeah, I am going to be a little modest about it. Stop by often for I am adding more to this post as the day goes on.
Cool stuff over the past year
What did people search on the site?
Lots of interesting stuff but some of my favorites were Christina Aguillera, Britney Spears, Eminem, Ghostbuster's and lots of song lyrics.
What's next?
Reviewing more music and concerts, gaining more knowledge of jazz and other good music, keeping my passion for the music, and just continuing to have fun. I also want to make my first trip to NYC next year to visit the many jazz clubs. More interviews and Q&A's. Ultimately, I would like to write liner notes. :)
Thanks for all the love from my family and friends. I know my dad is smiling down on me.
Thank God for a great year and may the music never end!
Stay crispy!
Terence Blanchard - trumpet
Aaron Parks - piano
Brice Winston - tenor saxophone
Massimo Biolcati - bass
Lionel Loueke - guitar and vocals
Rodney Green - drums
Trumpeter/Composer/Leader Terence Blanchard is an innovator. He always has a fresh new groove and showcases new talent in his band. I have admired with his trumpet skills since his days with saxophonist Donald Harrison and his original music scores for several Spike Lee films. On this evening, he and his band were playing tunes his debut Blue Note Record album, Bounce, a collection of nine songs that capture the essence of his musical diversity. The set included "On the Verge" which featured Aaron, 19 (who graduated college at 18), on piano with an excellent opening solo filled with bouncy Latin rhythms. The piece also featured Terence and Brice on some very energetic solos. This energy continued on "Transform" and "Fred Brown." Drummer Rodney, who has played with Patti LaBelle, Diana Krall, and Joe Henderson, had such great movements on the drums, it was like he was going to take off and fly away. Terence made it mellow on the bossa nova cut, "Nocturna" which featured Lionel on a guitar and vocal solo with so much flavor that it made hard it to distinguish the voicing between him and the guitar for their harmonic phrasing was so tight. The closing title track "Bounce/Let's Go Off" felt like a late night jam session with Terence setting the pace with his opening trumpet solo then he faded out and Massimo came in with a incredible bass solo. Terence came back in and tore it up and Rodney joined in on the drums with the rest of the band following. They jammed for over 10 minutes. Terence continues to take his horn and to new levels of mastery and perfection.
Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt is blazing a trail with his hot new release, Close to My Heart on MAXJAZZ Records. The music industry is giving the album much well-deserved praise. It is a must have for your music collection. I had the opportunity to ask Jeremy a few questions about the new album and his music. Please welcome Jeremy Pelt to the j-notes Jazz Lounge.
j-notes: Your music has been classified from neo-bop to straight-ahead jazz. How would you describe your sound?
Jeremy Pelt: "Well, my sound comes out of the trumpeters that I admired the most (i.e.. Miles, Freddie, Booker Little, Lee Morgan, Chet Baker, etc.). At this point, I’m interested in finding ways to manipulate my sound as to reflect the nuances of the human voice."
j-notes: You have played in every setting from big bands to quartets? Which is your favorite band setting and why?
Jeremy Pelt: "When Bird and Diz, and Roy Eldridge and countless other musicians came up, they all came to prominence through the big band experience. I feel that big bands teach you a lot. After you’ve had enough of that experience, I believe it’s OK to start thinking more selfishly. And that’s where I’m at. I love playing in the “small group” setting because you have a greater sense of individuality. My previous bands have always been sextets and I still dig that, but with this new recording, I felt like something more personal. All of the greats have done a quartet recording, and I wanted to make my presence felt in that arena. Quartet makes you a stronger player."
j-notes: You have traveled extensively this year. Where has been your favorite place to play?
Jeremy Pelt: "I always LOVE London. Particularly, Ronnie Scott’s. Portugal was great, too."
j-notes: Will your upcoming tours feature a string section? Will you be coming to the Bay Area in the next year?
Jeremy Pelt: "The thing that I knew coming into this project was that there were certain realities that I’d have to deal with regarding touring with a group of this size and star power! First of all, though I have two past recordings and appear on over twenty others, I’m still not seen as a bandleader by a lot of promoters, booking agents, and club owners. It’s truly a frustrating process. My manager and I are working very diligently on making the transition. I’d love to do as many gigs and tours with the string section as possible, but at the end of the day, you still have to pay the band! As for coming to the Bay area, we’re working on coming there in April. You can always find out where I’ll be on my website, peltjazz.com."
j-notes: How do you select the music for your recordings?
Jeremy Pelt: "This recording was different in that my previous two CD’s (Profile, on Fresh Sound New Talent, and Insight, on Criss Cross rec.), feature original music. For this project, I wanted to do standards that weren’t your run-of-the-mill, often performed songs. So, I bought tons of music books from every composer and scanned through them. Also, I listened to a lot of vocalists (Frank Sinatra, Bill Henderson, Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn, are among my favorites) to find songs that were very personal to me. I should also say that, with the inclusion of Frank Loesser’s “In Your Eyes”, (a song that I don’t believe has ever been recorded!) I wanted to make the definitive version of this song. At the risk of sounding conceited, I think I did!"
j-notes: Are there any other types of music you would like to record?
Jeremy Pelt: "There are always ideas that I have popping in my head. My next record will be a definite departure from the current one."
j-notes: Would you consider scoring a film?
Jeremy Pelt: "I majored in film scoring at Berklee College of Music, so my answer is a resounding “YES”. I’m trying to get into that now. If any filmmakers out there are reading this, I’m your man!!!"
j-notes: What are your thoughts on your comparisons to trumpet great Clifford Brown?
Jeremy Pelt: "If you are a trumpeter doing a ballads record with strings, Clifford is going to pop in everyone’s head! I’m totally comfortable with the comparison. We parallel each other in that, we both REALLY wanted to do this project because of the love of these melodies. Not for reasons of mass appeal, or cashing in. Incidentally, no one ever mentions the great Donald Byrd w/strings album from 1956 (or ’57), that Clare Fisher arranged.. That album is GREAT!!"
j-notes: Who would you like to play with?
Jeremy Pelt: "I’d love to play with Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Shirley Horn."
j-notes: Would you do a tribute album to a great trumpet legend?
Jeremy Pelt: "No. I think those are played out. Do we really need another tribute to Miles, or Dizzy, or Bird album? Did Lee Morgan do a “tribute to Fats Navarro or Clifford Brown album”? I mean, if you want to write a tune I can understand that, but I think the greatest tribute that we can pay is to honor and add to the road that has already been paved for us by those that inspired and influenced us."
j-notes: What are the stylistic differences between playing the trumpet and flugelhorn?
Jeremy Pelt: "For me, I almost am always more expressive on the Flugelhorn because of the mellowness of the sound. You can manipulate the trumpet."
j-notes: If you were not an outstanding trumpeter, which profession would you pursue?
Jeremy Pelt: "I love Psychology."
j-notes: What's next for Jeremy?
Jeremy Pelt: "Just writing for my band, Creation. The instrumentation is: Trumpet, Bass Clarinet/Alto Sax, Bass, Guitar, Vibraphone, Drums…"
Thank you Jeremy and please keep the good music flowing! Read more about Jeremy on his personal website, peltjazz.com or his MAXJAZZ homepage.
If you ask me to pick my favorite Natalie Cole songs from her Capitol recordings, I would choose "No Plans for the Future", "Can't Say No", "La Costa", "Heaven is with You", "Mr. Melody", "Inseparable", "I'm Catching Hell", "Beautiful Dreamer", and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" just to name a few. My favorite early Cole album is Thankful because one of my friends in high school let me borrow it for a couple of weeks. I tried to wear the grooves off of it and knew every song very well. I was recently playing the CD in the car and realized something interesting. 20+ years after this album was recorded, it is still a very consistent recording. I can select any track and it still makes me smile. Of course, this is after I have played "La Costa" about 10 times in a row. I was at a writing workshop last year and we were discussing music. We were all in agreement that "La Costa" is one of her best recordings ever. "Picture yourself on a sea, come feel the warmth of the breeze... La Costa." The sounds of beautiful waves crashing against the sandy shores, the rich orchestration complete with horns and flutes (feeling like a Herb Alpert or Sergio Mendes arrangement), and Natalie's breezy, sensual, multi-layered vocals all made for a alluring tune. I have only heard this song remade once by pianist Ahmad Jamal as an instrumental. "La Costa", which Natalie co-wrote with Linda Williams, also gave us a glimpse into her significant jazz heritage. Other gems included the gospel and funk title track "Thankful", the playful and swinging "Lovers", and her charter toppers "Our Love" and "Annie Mae." Part of the beauty of "Annie Mae" was how it closed out with a harp solo which lead into "Keeping a Light." She signified and testified on "Nothing Stronger Than Love" and "Just Can't Stay Away" which was later remade by En Vogue. Enjoy your music.
There is music all around the town for the next few weeks.
Brad Mehldau 10/10-12
Goapele 10/14-15
Dianne Reeves 10/16-19
Ledisi 10/11
Me'Shell N'degeocello & Soulive 10/12-13
Brian Culbertson 10/10-12
Kenny Latimore & Chante Moore 10/16-19
The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman 10/21-26
San Francisco Jazz Festival 10/23-11/09
Stanley Clarke & Jean-Luc Ponty 11/11
Whew!!!
In the news....
For a King of Jazz, a Castle in Queens
Weddings/Celebrations: Vows; Alicia Hall and Jason Moran
Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs will release a new live recording, Return to Form, Live at the Blue Note, on November 7. In addition to his previous solo work, he has played with violinist John Blake and also played piano on the Phyllis Hyman song "The Answer is You." I have casually check for new music from him for years so this is very good news.
Tradition is defined as the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. Jazz is an ever evolving journey with new roads being explored every day. Jeremy Pelt is a gatekeeper of the straight-ahead jazz tradition while adding his own nuances which will merely broaden and widen the road. At 27, he plays like an old soul who draws his musical being from the ancestors. He grew up in Southern California listening to Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington and his musical influences include Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Wayne Shorter, and Terence Blanchard.
On his MAXJAZZ Horn Series debut album, Close To My Heart, Jeremy celebrates the emotional ballads. Each of the eleven selections is filled with the lush and rich sounds of his horns. He is quite capable on trumpet and flugelhorn. His notes are well crafted and their rounded tones are perfect. Several of his selections are accompanied by violins, cello, and viola which frame his wondrous horn so beautifully. On the opening Mingus ballad, "Weird Nightmare", the strings rush in like a gentle breeze as he flows in with his mellow trumpet. He swings brightly on "Excerent" (Pepper Adams) and "Take Me In Your Arms" (Suisse & Norman) which features some great drum work from Lewis Nash. Jeremy plays solo flugelhorn on the Ellington & David ballad "Don't You Know I Care." The piece is solemn, reflective and has a certain longing as it tugs at the heart. Pianist Eric Reed contributed the mid-tempo ballad "Piogga Di Perugia" which features Mulgrew Miller on a very nice opening piano solo and Jeremy brings in a certain brightness that gives the tune a reminiscent feel of the Coltrane classic "Giant Steps." His sensuous horn continues on the Jimmy Rowles ballad "502 Blues (Drinkin' & Drivin') which features Peter Washington on bass solo. His horn rings like a bell as he opens "All My Life" (Mitchell & Stept) which is punctuated with lush strings. The cornerstone of this album is the Wayne & Rasch ballad "It's A Beautiful Evening." After a string intro, Jeremy comes in mellifluously on the flugelhorn with Mulgrew framing his every note. You can imagine yourself on an evening stroll on the beach with the sun just about to set as you hear Mulgrew tip-toe on the piano and the strings wash upon the shore. It is magnificent. "This Is The Moment" (Hollaender & Robin) features Jeremy on trumpet and David O'Rourke on solo guitar. David also arranged and conducted all the string selections for the album. The album closes out with the beautiful ballads "Why Try To Change Me Now?" (Coleman & McCarthy) and "In Your Eyes" (Loesser). Jeremy also serves as co-producer and arranger on the album.
Jeremy can play anything well, from standards to straight-ahead classic jazz to the more contemporary and avant-garde. He has played with Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter, Soulive, Bobby Short, Lewis Nash, Bobby "Blue" Bland, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, Ravi Coltrane, Cassandra Wilson, and bands honoring Cannonball Adderley and Duke Ellington. He has toured the U.S., Europe, France, Spain, Japan, and Brazil with his trumpet. He topped the 2003 DownBeat Magazine Annual Critics Poll awards for Rising Star on Trumpet, and the Jazz Journalist Association selected him as one of the Best Emerging Stars in Jazz.
After the first listen, this album will touch your heart and with continued listening, it will be close to your heart. Years from now, we will look back on this album as just one of the many bright moments in the formidable career of this brilliant trumpeter.
The weather and the music were hot for the final day of the Monterey Jazz Festival. The day was bittersweet in a way because you have been moving at a frantic pace trying to see as many acts as possible but you know come tonight, it is all over until next year. I picked up a previous year's festival t-shirt and sweatshirt (great buys!!!) and checked out the vendors for a final time. You may find it hard to believe but I did not buy any music while I was here. I did browse but there was nothing that really grabbed me and I already have enough music flowing through my brain at the moment. Before I cover the headliners of the day, here are a few things I checked out as I was moving throughout the festival.
The Crusaders have been making good music since the 50's. The players have changed over the years but they continue their fine tradition of making good music. The band includes Joe Sample on fender rhodes and electric piano, Wilton Felder on tenor saxophone, Ray Parker, Jr. on electric guitar, "Ready" Freddie Washington on bass, Steve Baxter on trombone and Kendrick Scott on drums. They began with the soulful jazz cuts "Viva De Funk" and "Creepin'" from their current Verve release, Rural Renewal. Joe told how The Crusaders' music is played on the Fender Rhodes and the Wurlitzer electric piano and how he purchased his first Wurlitzer in 1963 after being inspired by the music of Ray Charles. He then played the classic "A Ballad for Joe" which featured Ray on an excellent guitar solo. Joe also told a couple of great stories on the band's beginnings and praised each member before they jammed on "Way Back Home" and "Put It Where You Want It" on which Wilton shined on the sax. Even with the heat, people were grooving in their seats and a few were up dancing. The Sunday afternoon crowd in the arena is the diehard Monterey festival goers and you can tell that many of them have been coming for years. Ray's cousin Letitia Body filled in for Randy Crawford, who was out due to an injury, with her soulful rendition of "Street Life." They closed out their show with Ray's "Ghostbuster's" theme song with all of us yelling "Crusaders" as the chant. Afterward, they receive a standing ovation. It was definitely an enjoyable and fun show.
Interesting fact: Wilton Felder originally played the electric bass and several members of The Crusaders played on many of Barry White's hits.
Vocalist Nnenna Freelon has a special way of interpreting the lyrics of a song. We saw and heard how deeply she feels a lyric in her vocalization and spirited bird-like movements as embraces a song note for note. She is truly amazing to watch perform. As I was coming back to my seat, she was singing "Better Than Anything", which in a line gives a nod to "checking in at Monterey." She warmed us under the stars and the autumn breeze as she crooned "I Love You" and "Stella by Starlight." She told us how singing "I Feel Pretty" brightens up any "bad hair" day. Her set also included a reggae flavored rendition of "Body and Soul" and "All or Nothing at All" infused with Latin rhythms. She then took us into the book of "Wonder" with "My Cherie Amour" and closed the evening with "Tears of a Clown." As she glowed in her beautiful gown, she shared with us that tonight celebrated 20th year in the music business. Keep soaring Nnenna! She was accompanied by an incredible band which included Scott Sawyer on guitar, Brandon McCune on piano and keyboards, Wayne Batchelor on upright and electric bass, Woody Williams on drums, and Beverly Botsford on percussion. Nnenna has a new live album coming on 10/07 and advanced copies were available at the festival.
The Swingin' Finale of the festival closed with the Herbie Hancock Quartet featuring the incomparable Herbie Hancock on piano, Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, Scott Colley on bass, and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums. Their set included Herbie's classic "Maiden Voyage", "Theme from Dolphin Dance" and Bobby's composition "November." Herbie has played with the great legends of jazz so just watching him play under the stars was a great experience. The quartet played succinctly, each complimenting the other while showcasing their unique talents. Bobby provided rich and glorious tones on the vibes while Scott thumped his bass to perfection and Terri, wow!! Her drum solos were powerful and spellbinding. It was definitely a pleasure to finally get to see her live.
Festival Food Treats: Spicy grilled salmon with rice, fried plantains, and black-eyed peas
See you there next year!!!!
