February 2004 Archives

Work is still busy and my big project is moving forward.

The Lalah Hathaway show was awesome. She is playing @ Yoshi's through the weekend so definitely go check her out.

Vocalist Lonnie Tuck has been co-producing the IMS Showcase @ Club Jazz Noveau during the month. It is a jazz vocal competition showcasing some great local talent. I attended the 2/19 competition and it was intense. The final competion is tomorrow evening at 8pm. The next IMS Showcase will be in the summer and I will provide more information as it becomes available.

Last year's celebration featured wonderful tributes to jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and poet June Jordan. The 3rd Annual San Francisco Black History Month Celebration features a tribute to Motown legend Marvin Gaye. For event and ticket information, go to www.sfnoir.org.

"You can't get to no better days
Unless you make it through the night"

Sometimes you find just the right album cover but when you can't, a great photo and fitting quote always works. I was 24 when I first heard Dianne Reeves' self-entitled 1987 Blue Note release, Dianne Reeves. I fell in love with her music and have been a faithful listener ever since. She travels down many roads in her music and tells her stories so wonderfully. One moment she is soaring through "Sky Island" and then she pauses to tell us about "Better Days" (aka "The Grandma Song") and meeting up again with her beloved grandmother. I can remember there was such a demand for the song in one of her early concerts, that she sang it twice. One of my favorite songs for quiet reflection is the poignant ballad "I'm O.K." and then there is her beautiful reading of the Ellington classic "I've Got It Bad And That Ain't Good." The playful scatting and that burst of laughter at the end of "That's All" lets you know that she truly enjoys her music. Also included on album are the gems "Harvest Time", "Chan's Song" (Never Said) which was penned by Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, and "Yesterdays."

She is joined on this early album by some wonderful musicians including her cousin, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Billy Childs, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Washington, and Paulinho da Costa. I am sure they saw the greatness, grace, and beauty back then that we see in her today. Whether she is scatting a joyous melody or chanting over an African rhythm, she does it with a style and finesse that come from deep within her soul.

Her latest Blue Note release, A Little Moonlight, brought her another Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Album, which is her 3rd in a row. Grammy or not, it is a fine album. Both of these albums will set the mood for any romantic evening, even Valentine's Day. :) Enjoy your music.

Sample Tracks

1. Sky Islands
2. I'm O.K.
3. Better Days
4. Harvest Time
5. Chan's Song (Never Said)

Check out the Dianne Reeves Electronic Press Kit and Discography

Lena Horne and Count Basie in the 40's.

Now before you ask, no, I did not take this wonderful photograph nor was I there when it was taken. I found this wonderful gem while surfing the web and wanted to share it.

I have not been blogging much these days. I am working on a big project for work that has taken much of my waking hours. Soon, I will be done and back to writing. In the meantime, I have been listening to some good music that I will tell you about real soon.

I went to see McCoy Tyner, Pharaoh Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Charnett Moffett, and Eric Harland in concert last week. It was great show. I found out yesterday that Eric Reed and Paula West are playing The Plush Room in San Francisco through Sunday. That is definitely a nice choice for the upcoming Hallmark holiday this weekend. :)

Be back soon!