Weekend in Review

Greetings Folks!

I am writing to you via my blackberry for my first complete mobilized edition here at Some Other Stuff. So much to tell, I hope I manage to get it all out coherently.

As I type this I am accompanied by a very cute brunette in a purple over coat, who I believe have mentioned before as proof that girlfriends can like jazz. You just have to look in the right record shop.

We are on the 11:22pm train back to New Haven after a short but amazing trip to the Jazz Standard to see the anticipated Jeremy Pelt Quintet.

With headphones on I ponder how to type what's on my mind when my mind has been completely melted by JP & Co.

The anticipation of this night has been orchestrated by the release of Pelt's newest album "Men of Honor" on Highnote Records. I haven't been able to listen to the whole CD so far but I have to say what an excellent release. This group has matured and developed so much over the last 2 years its amazing. Their 2008 release "November" was a great album. With all the tunes penned by Pelt, I loved it but was still stuck/obsessed with Pelt's 2005 release "Identity." I saw the quintet play at Smalls last winter which you can read a review on the blog in the '09 section.

This was a whole new band. A band that clearly has been working hard together. The album is a mix of originals written by all the band members. Their sound is uncanny similar to the second great quintet of Miles Davis from the 1960's. The tunes have a sense of freedom and cerebral attentiveness that some bands never reach. I myself hope to aspire to such a level.

That being said, tracks that stood out to me were Us/Them and Danny Mack. Both written by the leader that have that vibe stated before. The album opens with "Backroad" a Herbie Hancockian swinging number that reminds me of "Maiden Voyage" just sped up. We stayed for 2 sets and got to hear all 3 tunes live.

What stuck out was the bands' performance of "November's" Phoenix. With Pelt trading with tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen, the face melting began. I could hardly contain myself... I was on the brink of screaming in the middle of it, good thing my Jack Daniels mixed with Lemonade was sweet enough to cool me down.

The band sounded tight and the sheer definition of perfection, I recommend them to any fan of excellent music.


So on to other news, I am looking forward to two projects that are on the way to being full fledged gigging groups. One is the Dharma Bums, a ska-jazz ensemble.

I grew up in the ska scene. My first experiences playing with bands were ones that included your typical punk band with members of the marching band added as a perky-nerdy version of music. While in this scene I grew to love punk, hardcore and most importantly roots ska and rocksteady.

Now despite what people say ska is excellent music, and let's set the story straight: Reggae came from Ska. Not the other way around.

So then what is Ska?

Ska in its truest form is a blend of Jamaican music fused with American R&B from the 1950's and 60's.

Its an up beat form of music that can swing, groove and skank all at once. Think of it as Jamaica's version of funk.

It wasn't untill the British in the late 70's who mixed it with punk did we get the ska most people are familiar with today. That kind is called two-tone and a whole other story all together.

So in 2006 I started a band by writing tunes and briefly working with the Dave Hilyard Rocksteady 7. In that 7 I was able to learn a good deal about tune orchestration and beat production. I added these ideals to several of my own compositions but never could get the band past an ever changing line up and difficulty getting legit gigs.

So in 2010 as the new year rolled around I decided I was going to make this happen. With a whole new line up, new tunes and a better image of what this band should be, I am looking forward to our first rehearsal in Febuary.

If you are interested in listening and furthering your interests check out anything by:
The Skatalites
Tommy McCook
The Ethiopians
The Slackers
Dave Hilyard and the. Rocksteady 7

Weekend in Review

Greetings Folks!

I am writing to you via my blackberry for my first complete mobilized edition here at Some Other Stuff. So much to tell, I hope I manage to get it all out coherently.

As I type this I am accompanied by a very cute brunette in a purple over coat, who I believe have mentioned before as proof that girlfriends can like jazz. You just have to look in the right record shop.

We are on the 11:22pm train back to New Haven after a short but amazing trip to the Jazz Standard to see the anticipated Jeremy Pelt Quintet.

With headphones on I ponder how to type what's on my mind when my mind has been completely melted by JP & Co.

The anticipation of this night has been orchestrated by the release of Pelt's newest album "Men of Honor" on Highnote Records. I haven't been able to listen to the whole CD so far but I have to say what an excellent release. This group has matured and developed so much over the last 2 years its amazing. Their 2008 release "November" was a great album. With all the tunes penned by Pelt, I loved it but was still stuck/obsessed with Pelt's 2005 release "Identity." I saw the quintet play at Smalls last winter which you can read a review on the blog in the '09 section.

This was a whole new band. A band that clearly has been working hard together. The album is a mix of originals written by all the band members. Their sound is uncanny similar to the second great quintet of Miles Davis from the 1960's. The tunes have a sense of freedom and cerebral attentiveness that some bands never reach. I myself hope to aspire to such a level.

That being said, tracks that stood out to me were Us/Them and Danny Mack. Both written by the leader that have that vibe stated before. The album opens with "Backroad" a Herbie Hancockian swinging number that reminds me of "Maiden Voyage" just sped up. We stayed for 2 sets and got to hear all 3 tunes live.

What stuck out was the bands' performance of "November's" Phoenix. With Pelt trading with tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen, the face melting began. I could hardly contain myself... I was on the brink of screaming in the middle of it, good thing my Jack Daniels mixed with Lemonade was sweet enough to cool me down.

The band sounded tight and the sheer definition of perfection, I recommend them to any fan of excellent music.


So on to other news, I am looking forward to two projects that are on the way to being full fledged gigging groups. One is the Dharma Bums, a ska-jazz ensemble.

I grew up in the ska scene. My first experiences playing with bands were ones that included your typical punk band with members of the marching band added as a perky-nerdy version of music. While in this scene I grew to love punk, hardcore and most importantly roots ska and rocksteady.

Now despite what people say ska is excellent music, and let's set the story straight: Reggae came from Ska. Not the other way around.

So then what is Ska?

Ska in its truest form is a blend of Jamaican music fused with American R&B from the 1950's and 60's.

Its an up beat form of music that can swing, groove and skank all at once. Think of it as Jamaica's version of funk.

It wasn't untill the British in the late 70's who mixed it with punk did we get the ska most people are familiar with today. That kind is called two-tone and a whole other story all together.

So in 2006 I started a band by writing tunes and briefly working with the Dave Hilyard Rocksteady 7. In that 7 I was able to learn a good deal about tune orchestration and beat production. I added these ideals to several of my own compositions but never could get the band past an ever changing line up and difficulty getting legit gigs.

So in 2010 as the new year rolled around I decided I was going to make this happen. With a whole new line up, new tunes and a better image of what this band should be, I am looking forward to our first rehearsal in Febuary.

If you are interested in listening and furthering your interests check out anything by:
The Skatalites
Tommy McCook
The Ethiopians
The Slackers
Dave Hilyard and the. Rocksteady 7

Right in our own back yard.

After graduating graduate school in the spring of 2008, I was looking for 2 very different things. A job and a new outlet to perform music and meet like minded musicians in the New Haven area. My search actually did not take too long when I stumbled across the New Haven Improvisors Collective.

Aside from a catchy name I was intrigued at the roster of musicians that were under the members section of their website. Every instrument ranging from drums to theramin was listed. What more could I ask for!! The site said that the collective was dedicated to playing and promoting artistic music in CT....I was sold.

I quickly emailed the head of the organization and was happy that a simple email was all it took and that I was welcomed to any meeting I choose. Meetings are the last Monday of the month at Never Ending Books on State Street in New Haven.

I showed up to my first meeting in the summer of 2009 and had no idea what to expect. I remember the first group of members I met were a few guitarists, a guy playing the boom box a la John Cage and an accordian player. The meeting was run by the collectives leader: Bob Gorry, a guitarist with a very broad and open minded interest in music. He certainly impressed me when he mentioned seeing Sex Mob back in the day when they had a regular gig at Tonic.

The way in which we jammed was even more impressive. Instead of just playing 'free,' we played using a series of patterns based on meter, role, harmony and rhythm that were set up from Bob's leadership. Alot of free music can get very terrible very fast without any sort of direction and this group was well led and the players really listened to each other.

Well the collective had its 12th edition of what it calls the Uncertainty Music Series last weekend at Never Ending Books. There were two sets made up two groups Bob randomly through together. (he used the roster of members that said they would play and broke them into two groups.) Each member had to contribute 1 tune to the performance and without rehearsing both groups played amazing sets of music. It was quite honestly one of the most creative gigs I have ever played. Both sets were mind blowing. Full of intensity and creativity. My group was made up of accordian/clarient/acoustic guitar/electric guitar/tenor sax/drums and trumpet. We opened with my original that i play with my acoustic and electric outfits, "Cylon Stare." I was blown away by the performance. I really had no idea what to expect and was met with a band of musicians who took my tune to a whole new level. (i'm hoping to get a recorded copy soon.)

The New Haven Improvisors Collective is always welcoming new members. Anyone interested should contact Bob Gorry at info@nhic-music.org.

This Past Weekend in Review 1/9/10-1/10/10

Hey Folks,

Once again another Sunday night is upon us. I'm sure everyone is spending these next few moments getting everything ready for the week ahead. If not I hope regardless you all had a very pleasant weekend, I know I did.

With the company of two fellow Jazz Enthusiasts, I went to the NYC Winter Jazz Festival. The event took place over the course of the weekend at numerous venues in the West Village around the Bleecker Street neighborhood. Such venues as Le Poussian Rouge, The Bitter End, Kenny's Castaways, Sullivan Hall and Zinc Bar were the places to be this past weekend showcasing some of the hippest acts in jazz today.

My favorite part: 2 days of music for $30 and essentially every act was someone on the 'working eschelon' of the current jazz scene. By that I mean, the roster was made up of some of jazz's most talent unknowns, but artists who are in the trenches everyday working hard to get their music heard.

There was music of all kinds in the jazz world available. (most i'm sure a certain Lincoln Center Director would not approve of as "jazz").

Friday night was primarily focused on more 'out' music such as Jamie Saft and Whoopie Pie. A group of Saft on organ with drums and tenor saxophone. I really enjoyed this group alot. The performance was comprised from what I could tell two tunes of droning intense group improvisation. The sax was brash and lyrical while the keys were a mix of what seemed all the jazz school put together. Bluesly triplets were matched with Herbie Hancock-ian atonality. The drums were energetic and unrelentless. I loved this group. Jamie Saft's playing is so broad its quite hard to categorize him. He can be heard on numerous recordings such as playing a jazz vibe on a Masada book of angels album, his Bob Dylan tribute or his most recent release on Tzadik label: a death metal album.

The second night was the money maker. Every 15 minutes in the neighborhood a jazz act was beginning their set and the first set at Kenny's Castaways was by far the most surprising act of the weekend. The group was Oran Etkin and his band. Etkin, a reeds player, played some of the most badass clarinet playing I've ever heard. His altissimo range was so clear and fluid Benny Goodman himself would have been in awe. His band was made up of African Percussionists ranging from djembe to a wooden (home made) marimba and some kind of 'shell-drum'. It looked like a huge salad bowl turned upside down, hit with the fist and tapped with the fingers. I have no idea what this instrument is called but it sounded amazing. What grooves!! I was all smiles and happy feet listening to this group. check out the band at joe's pub: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlpjUR0tC28 Fans of Lionel Loueke and other African music will love this group.

Vijay Iyer Trio was of course outstanding. Probably the most anticipated group, I myself bought his new album just based on the fact that it was on so many reviewers must get lists, was definitely feeling the pressure of the hype they have created for themselves. Unfortunately I had to run half way through the set so I could check the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet. I haven't listened to too much of Ambrose but really dig his playing on Danny Grissett's new album "Form."

There were so many great acts this festival in retrospect I can't believe it. Usually the festivals I've gone to there are so many terrible acts that clog up a good weekend.

Jazz is not dead....

..it just changed the secret handshake.

Happy New Year!!!

Hey Folks!!

Welcome back to a new year in blogdom. I hope everyone had a very nice and relaxing holiday, and I hope everyone out there was able to be blessed with the insane amount of music that I myself recieved this holiday.

Now first things first: I have, like my people out there have wondered what to call this new year "twenty-ten" "two thousand ten" who knows...but I myself feel that Twenty ten sounds too futuristic, like the human race should be fighting our robot oppressors or something.....not to forget the flying cars and hover boards...laser-pulse rifles...extraterrestrial citizens, cyborgs, mutants, etc, etc, etc...I also like this think of the new year as '010...well because 01-09 made sense and I don't remember what we called "2000" (probably just "2000") so I think '010 has a good ring to it and it still works...."Oh-Ten" Try it.

With the new year, I have been thinking about special features for the blog and giving them snazzy names to make this blog more 'official' If you are a regular reader, I doubt I have any of those, please spread the word. Some of the special features will be:

A Classic Revisted- a review\debate of an album 25 years or older.

The Vinyl Bin- Vinyl and all its wonders

Guest Bloggers

so on, so forth.

Anyway, I hope that this year will be a successful one for what I do here.

Now onto current events:

I still haven't decided if I will boycott Wynton Marsalis completely or not. I know I should just accept what Mr. Marsalis did and his blatant disrespectful actions to all musicians, but his seeking out an angry spectator at a Spanish Jazz Festival still very much erks me. If you have no idea what I am talking about, google or just plan old search anything that has recently been associated with Wynton or the Jazz Police. You can see what I posted about the manner on Green Leaf Music (www.greenleafmusic.com). Wynton has always been a very conservative, biased and sometimes irrational minded musician and as much as he has the right to say and think what he says and thinks, I feel insulted as a musician and as a fan of jazz at his constant slams at what he thinks is not real or legitimate jazz.

On a lighter note, I hope everyone will have the best of times this year to come. Stay tuned for more reviews and topics to come this week and through out the year.