MaxxJazzHouse - Vol. 9 - January 20, 2009

Welcome back to the Jazz House the home of everything swingin' in the "deepest recesses of the groove."

News

It has been quite a while since I sent out one of these newsletters and after spending two weeks in the hospital last month, I'm happy to here to be able to send it to you.

A lot has happened!

On November 4, 2008 Barack Hussein Obama II was elected and today he will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. I for one am thrilled to see how far our country has come and optimistic about the journey ahead.
    
Like millions of other Americans I hope that this change in leadership will unite our country but more importantly help our economy sooner than later.  Our prayers are with President Obama and his family as they begin this historic journey.

 

Sirius XM Satellite Radio

You may have heard by now, but just in case the long awaited Sirius and XM Satellite Radio merger has been completed and the new company is called Sirius XM Satellite Radio.  

After creating Real Jazz for XM Radio in 2000 and building it into the most listened to jazz channel in the country, November 14, 2008 was my last day.  It was a wonderful journey and I'm proud of the work we did in Washington, DC and with Wynton Marsalis from Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York. I am also proud to have been one of the small group of original Program Directors that helped start the satellite radio revolution.  Although most of the talented and creative people that I started with are no longer with the company since the merger, our work lives on.

Nashville Jazz?

The Lori Mechem Quartet - April In Paris - Cognito

As many of you know I moved to Nashville in 2007 and I was pleasantly surprised when I got here to find and hear The Lori Mechem Quartet in full swing in "The Cave" at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville's first Jazz School founded by Mechem and her husband bassist Roger Spencer over a decade ago.

Mechem who has been on the Nashville Scene since 1988 and has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Houston Person, Red Holloway, Jimmy Smith, Jeff Hamilton, Terry Gibb and Roy McCurdy is a respected jazz pianist, composer and educator.

I  am thrilled that the energy I have witnessed live has been captured on "April In Paris" a follow up to the 2003 release "Shiny Stockings." On "April In Paris, Mechem and her quartet featuring Roger Spencer bass, Andy Reiss guitar, Chris Brown drums and special guest saxophonist Pete Christlieb return with more of the Count Basie Orchestra's greatest arrangements.  The CD begins with Freddie Green's Corner Pocket and ends with Basie's Jumpin at the Woodside so you know it's swingin'!

Swing into Spring early this year and enjoy April In Paris, right now in full swing on the latest releaase by The Lori Mechem Quartet.  

Christian Scott Live At Newport - Concord
I first met Christian Scott in New York prior to the release of his first CD.  His Uncle the famed New Orleans saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. stopped by my show for an interview and brought him along.  Since that first release the former Berklee student has toured the world blowing down barriers embracing everything from indie rock to hip hop while at the same time always staying close to his New Orleans roots.  You will really dig the DVD that's included, notice Christian channeling Miles Davis in approach and wardrobe.

The Eric Mintel Quartet - Ground Breaker - EMQJazz
I wrote the liner notes to their last CD which I enjoyed, so I was really looking forward to this release by the Philadelphia based Eric Mintel Quartet and they deliver with a 10 song set recorded live in real-time on a vintage Neve console at Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ.  Imagine a band going into the studio and putting it down old school with no overdubs in this digital age.  That's exactly what you get on Ground Breaker and exactly why it sounds so fresh.  

Hotep Idris Galeta and the Cape Town Digital Jazz Band - Funkin' for Obama.

I will admit that this one is a little smooth in a South African sort of way, but with a title like this and considering that today's date is January 20th, I just couldn't resist.  I hope it's a sign that the whole world is coming together to make it a better place for all of us.

The South African born Hotep Idris Galeta was mentored by Abdullah Ibrahim and established himself on the Cape Town jazz scene in the 1950's. In 1961 he left South Africa for London and then New York, remaining in exile for thirty years, during which he worked with jazz figures such as Jackie McLean, Woody Shaw, Elvin Jones and Archie Shepp.  He taught jazz studies at the University of Hartford's Hartt College of Music from 1985 until his return to South Africa in 1991. He currently is the Director of the Miriam Makeba Center of Performing Arts at the University of Fort Hare's campus in the city of East London in South Africa.

Joe Lovano - Symphonica - Blue Note

Joe Lovano is one of my favorite people and not just because we have the same birthday and happen to have both been born in the same area of Ohio.  He just happens to be a great guy and the kind of person he is comes out in his music.  I love his sound, his intent and his intellectual curiosity.  Lovano is not only a great improviso, but he's a great listener as well. On the lush Symphonica which happens to be nominated for GRAMMY this year, Lovano is at his best. Recorded over in Cologne, Germany with both the WDR Big Band and the Rundfunk Orchestra this was one of my favorite CD's from last year.   
 
In our ongoing effort to find new music by independent artists for you to check out, we've added several new CD's to the Cool Music Store and we've also added Amazon.com MP3 downloads. 
Click on this link to buy music from the cool music stores

Independent Ear with Journalist Willard Jenkins

We're happy to continue to bring you  "The Independent Ear" Blog."

The husband and wife team of Willard and Suzan Jenkins have amassed over thirty years experience as industry leaders in various facets of the jazz, arts, the recording business, and jazz media.

Click on this link for "The Independent Ear Blog,

We hope that you enjoy it, let them and me know what you think.

Grammy Time

With all of the Grammy parties planned around the country next month, I thought you might want to know what you probably won't be seeing on television on February 8th.  It's also a great way to discover music you may not have heard yet.


Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Randy In Brasil - Randy Brecker - MAMA Records

Floating Point - John McLaughlin - Absrack Logix

Cannon Re-loaded: All-Star Celebration of Cannonball Adderley
Various Artists - Gregg Field & Tom Scott producers - Concord Jazz

Miles From India - Various Artists  Bob Belden, producer - 4Q/Times Square Records

Lifecycle - Yellowjackets featuring Mike Stern - Heads Up International

Best Jazz Vocal Album

Imagina: Songs of Brasil - Karrin Allyson - Concord Jazz

Breakfast On The Morning Tram - Stacey Kent - Blue Note

If Less Is More...Nothing Is Everything - Kate McGarry - Palmetto Records

Loverly - Cassandra Wilson - Blue Note

Distances - Norma Winstone (Glauco Venier & Klaus Gesing) - ECM

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo 

Be-Beop - Terence Blanchard, soloist - Track from: Live At The 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars) - Monterey Jazz Festival Records

Seven Steps To Heaven - Till Bronner, soloist - Track from: The Standard (Take 6) - Heads Up International Records

Waltz For Debby - Gary Burton & Chick Corea, soloist - Track from: The New Crystal Silence - Concord Records

Son Of Thirteen - Pat Metheny, soloist - Track from: Day Trip - Nonesuch Records

Be-Bop - James Moody, soloist - Track from: Live At 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars) - Monterey Jazz Festival Records

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group

The New Crystal Silence - Chick Corea & Gary Burton - Concord Records

History, Mystery - Bill Frisell - Nonesuch Records

Brad Mehldau Trio: Live - Brad Mehldau - Nonesuch Records

Day Trip - Pat Metheny With Christian McBride & Antonio Sanchez - Nonesuch Records

Standards - Alan Pasqua, Dave Carpenter & Peter Erskine Trio - Fuzzy Music

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

Appearing Nighlly - Carla Bley and Her Remarkable Big Band - WATT

Act Your Age - Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Immergent

Symphonica - Joe Lovano With WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra - Blue Note

Blaukland - Vince Mendoza - Act Music and Vision - AMV

Monday Night Live At The Villae Vanguard - The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - Planet Arts Recordings

Best Latin Jazz Album

Afro Bop Alliance - Caribbean Jazz Project - Heads Up International

The Latin Side Of Wayne Shorter - Conrad Herwig & The Latin Side Band - Half Note Records

Song For Chico - Arturo O'Farrill ^ The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra - Zoho

Nouveau Latino - Nestor Torres - Diamond Light Records

Marooned/Aislado - Papo Vazquez The Mighty Pirates - Picaro Records

If you're in the L.A. area during the first week in February you'll have a chance to check the 2009 GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles. The Ensembles made up of 30 talented high school students representing 23 cities and 13 states under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music and Dr.Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music will perform at Spaghettini's Italian Grill & Jazz Club on February 2nd, at the Vic on February 4th and for the first time ever, the Ensembles will perform at the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Neil Dimaond on February 6th.  As a grand finale, they will attend the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 8th and will perform at the GRAMMY Celebration AFter Party.

Cool Music Stores

In the last newsletter I mentioned that I added two new options to the store, click the links to check out and buy new music from independent artists and your favorites are also available through the Amazon MP3 download feature in the Cool Music Store.  You can also purchase more of your favorites from Amazon on this Cool Music and More link.  

CLICK HERE to check it out. 



 

Digital

Jambase.com

While visiting Christian Scott's website I found a link to a wonderful site called jambase.com  It contains come remarkable video performances of some great artists including Louis Armbstrong, Ray Bryant, Oscar Peterson and more.  Go to the website and click on the jambase tv link, put in jazz in the search area and enjoy!

"Nu" Jazz for a "Nu" Era

Nu Jazz Entertainment founder Jerald Miller has announced the formation of two separate labels, to release high definition video and audio content-exclusively for digital download in the genre of jazz.  Nu Jazz Records and Nu Jazz Video are the first labels of their type in the industry- dedicated to providing high quality audio and video releases of emerging and soon to be legends in jazz.

Nu Jazz Entertainment  will release over 30 audio & video projects per year.  The current slate of releases include projects from:  Award-winning Tenor & Soprano saxophonist, Jimmy Green; a rising star in percussion, Drummer Geoff Clapp; longtime Wynton Marsalis sideman, Alto Saxophonist, Wess "Warmdaddy" Anderson; a fiery new Baritone Saxophonist, named Jason Marshall; and one of the original Tough Young Tenors and current Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra member, Walter Blanding Jr on Tenor Saxophone.

All releases will be available for digital download directly from both the label's website and major music download services (iTunes, Zune Marketplace, Amazon, eMusic, etc.) 

MiRoamer.com

After 32 years in broadcasting I have worked with and seen a number of technological advances starting with 45rpm, LP, 8-track, cassette, CD, mini-disc, dat and MP3.  I have also worked in AM, FM and satellite radio and I am on record as saying that the future of radio is on the internet. I was especially convinced while I lay in the hospital for 2 weeks and listened to XM 24 hours a day on my cell phone.

The future is internet radio and the future is now.  The folks at Blaupunkt are taking car stereo to a whole new level with the release of their two-stereo head unit later this year, the single DN HAMBURG and the double DIN New Jersey with Miroamer.  Individuals can create a profile on the MIROAMER website with their favorite radio stations and when you get in the car, the head unit logs into the website and shows the radio stations as presets on the dial givin you over 16,000 choices for streamed music while you drive.  It also has a hands free feature that allows the unit to work with your cell phone via Bluetooth.  

Ford Motor Company has co-developed a system with Microsoft called SYNC which allows nearly seamless use of portable media players like iPOD and mobile phones while behind the wheel via voice activation.  The platform which is still in evolution will work with devices you already own including your MP3 player through USB connection and cell phone. 

With all of this new technology there are of course a lot of bugs still to be worked out.  Issues of audio quality, keeping the streams from being interrupted and the cost of the all important unlimited data plan for your phone, but further down the road you will be able to hear a song on your car or mobile radio (phone), tag it for download later on your home computer or instantly download it on the spot.  

Condolences

Rev. Wiley Murry Burton Jr. husband of Song Stylist Miss Nancy Wilson Jan 30, 1942- Aug 7, 2008

Miriam Makiba South African singer and civil rights activist March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008

Levi Stubbs former lead singer of the Four Tops - June 6, 1936 - October 17, 2008

Odetta  singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and human rights activist -December 31, 1930 - December 2, 2008

Drummer Tony Reedus performed with Mulgrew Miller, Woody Shaw, Steve Turre, Stafford James, Kenny Garrett, Dr. Billy Taylor, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard. Eddie Harris, Benny Golson and Milt Jackson - September 22, 1959 - November 16, 2008

Drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Earl Cyril Palmer who played on seminal sides by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, Bobby Darin, Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie and B.B.King along with themes from The Odd Couple, Ironside and many other TV shows.  October 25, 1924 - September 19, 2008

Entrepreneur and Entertainment Attorney David McCoy Franklin former husband of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and manager of Richard Pryor, Miles Davis, Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson. 1943-2008

Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard April 7, 1928 - December 29, 2008 

SAVE JAZZ RADIO ALERT!!!!!!! WMOT IN DANGER

Like the rest of the country, the State of Tennessee has a serious budget problem.  Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) with their wonderful jazz studies and performance programs is facing budget cuts.  Unfortunately, the university may decide to shut down radio station WMOT as part of it's budget cuts.  This would be a catastrophic loss for jazz as NPR affiliate WMOT is one of the few remaining 24 hour jazz stations in the country.  Even if you don't live in the Nashville area all jazz lovers need to take action immediately.  MTSU's President is Dr. Sidney McPhee and the jazz community should contact him by phone at (615) 898-2622, email: smcphee@mtsu.edu, or letter (Room 0110 Bldg CAB, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 to let him know how important jazz radio is.  

That's it for this edition, keep swingin'! 

Maxx