Following These Footprints
Sean MurphyCheck this out. A few years back I opined that the second great Miles Davis quintet was the greatest group of musicians ever assembled in one collective. I stand by that,…
What’s It All About, Then? Part Two: Jazz, Featuring Wayne Shorter (Revisited)
Wayne Shorter is about to turn 80. He continues to record, play and inspire. Of the many musicians I admire and seek in some way to emulate (as artists, as…
The 30th Anniversary Of A Digital Dinosaur: An Appreciation
Wow, look who turned 30 this week! Our beloved (and/or quaint, prehistoric, irrelevant) CD player was "born" in 1982, right around the time video killed the radio star (allegedly). Pretty interesting…
The Scream of the Butterfly: Ray Bradbury, R.I.P.
Another great one has gone to that great library in the sky. Ray Bradbury is, among many other things (all good), a visionary, a genius, a role model and a…
When Words Fail*
It will be okay. This is what parents are obliged to tell frightened children and what some children must one day resort to telling their parents. It will be okay,…
14 Songs For Turning 41
To know the man, get to know his music. (Or, to paraphrase Al Pacino in Serpico, "If you love the man's music, you have to love the man!") There are…
The Man Who Improved Music: An Appreciation of Norio Ohga
Depending on how old you are, the iconic image above may mean different things. If you are young enough that digital files have been the primary way you've experienced music…
What’s It All About, Then? Part Three: Jazz, Featuring Five Of My Favorite Things
Just before my birthday, on the subject of Eric Dolphy (who I'm happy to call attention to anytime the opportunity presents itself), I had the following to say about what the…
What’s It All About, Then? Part Two: Jazz, Featuring Wayne Shorter
There are not many people who have any idea what it's like to be this cool. Even Wayne Shorter does not know, because he is too cool to stop and…
Five Guys or, The Greatest Band of All Time (No, Really)
Miles Davis. Herbie Hancock. Wayne Shorter. Tony Williams. Ron Carter. Those men, individually, are some of the most important and brilliant musicians of the last century. Together? Forget about it.…