So you've probably heard the adage: "writing about music is like dancing about architecture." That gets to what follows, but I was reading something for my dissertation a couple weeks back (I can't remember the author, perhaps it was Nathaniel Mackey) and the phrase "words don't go there" really stuck out. What the author was …
Continue reading Words Don’t Go There: When “Tight” Just Won’t Do It
In case you missed it, here's what me and my man Lucas spun on our weekly jazz show on KJHK last week. Chicago Jazz Orchestra, "What A Little Moonlight Can Do," from Burstin' Out Joe Lovano, "Fort Worth" Charles Mingus, "Tijuana Giftshop," from Tijuana Moods Andrew Hill, "Noon Tide," from Passing Ships Charles Lloyd/Jason Moran, …
Wow, so it's taken me almost a full week to get the playlist up for last week's installment of The Turnaround, my weekly radio show on KJHK that I host with Lucas Homer. You can catch us streaming online at http://www.kjhk.org from 8-10 central. Here's what you missed from last week: Jimmy Rushing, "Everybody Loves …
When Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, especially those who are leaders in veterans groups, appear on news stories a point they often make is that there is a disconnect between those fighting the wars and the American public. They often describe how the American public, at least those who are not directly involved in the war …
Continue reading Vijay Iyer & Mike Ladd’s Holding It Down: The Veterans’ Dreams Project
This past week my man Lucas and I had our second installment of The Turnaround, our weekly two hour jazz radio show on KJHK, the University of Kansas' student radio station. If you're not in the Lawrence area, then you can listen online every Wednesday night from 8-10 central time by logging on to http://www.kjhk.org. …
Well, after an eleven plus year absence from college radio, I'm back. This year I'm happy to be co-hosting a jazz show with my man Lucas Homer on KU's student station, KJHK 90.7. We call the show, The Turnaround, and it features a diverse mix of contemporary jazz (sometimes leaning towards the bit obscure or …
Late summer and early fall must be a pretty popular time to put out an album, because in the last couple of weeks I've been buried in new review copies; it's a nice problem to have. While I have had almost no time to review new albums recently due to moving to a new house …
Continue reading Fresh Produce: the latest arrivals to the O:I:O music desk
It should come as no real surprise that the second installment of Miles' Bootleg Series, Live in Europe 1969 won the Downbeat Critic's Poll best historical/reissue category this year. (List of poll winners can be found here, and check the August issue for the complete list of those who received votes.) This set was at …
Continue reading You Know You Want Miles’ Live in Europe 1969 Bootleg, Just Get It
Miguel Zenon devotees: just go ahead now and pick up Oye! (Live in Puerto Rico) the new album from Zenon and the Rhythm Collective. Don't even worry about the chance you won't like it, because I'm sure you will. For jazz fans who aren't familiar with Zenon: chances are you are going to really enjoy the …
Continue reading Miguel Zenon & the Rhythm Collective Throw Down
Conception Vessel, the title of Paul Motian's debut album for ECM, is perhaps the perfect term to describe the prolific drummer and composer. From his earliest work in Bill Evans' trio, it was clear he had a unique approach to drumming. Motian also extended his unique aesthetic to his large body of tuneful, elegant and …
Continue reading Review: Paul Motian Old and New Masters ECM Box Set
