Rashanim: Healing Music for Unrighteous Times (Revisited)
Sean Murphy4/16/2013: After yesterday's horrific reminder of the depths we are willing to sink, as humans, inflicting pain (and/or death) to make some type of senseless point, I don't have much…
John Zorn at 60
I’ve written a great deal about John Zorn (in some detail here and here, and his name is appropriately dropped and checked in the course of discussions of other jazz musicians,…
Beauty is a Rare Thing: Celebrating International Jazz Day (Revisited)
All hope is not lost. At least enough people are still making --and listening to-- jazz that we can even attempt to initiate what hopefully becomes an ongoing occasion. In…
10 for NYC by 10, on 9/11
New York City would be unimaginable without jazz, and vice versa. Here then is a tribute for --and by-- several musicians who help define and celebrate the cultural mecca of our known universe.…
The Shape of Jazz That Came…(Revisited)
1959 was a watershed year for jazz music (arguably the greatest single year for jazz in all history–which is saying a lot). Here’s a taste: Miles Davis Kind of Blue,…
Thoughts on the Olympics, Improvisation and Jay Adams
The Olympics, particularly the two most popular sports from each season—the gymnastics and figure skating—sells itself, accurately, as an embodiment of competition and tension, complete with a touch of voyeurism.…
More (Free) Magic from Jon Madof’s Zion 80
If you are just arriving to the party, here is some more on Jon Madof, and his latest project, Zion 80. Jon has generously made yet another live performance…
Beauty is a Rare Thing: Celebrating International Jazz Day
All hope is not lost. At least enough people are still making --and listening to-- jazz that we can even attempt to initiate what hopefully becomes an ongoing occasion. In…
Whispered Words*
How long will it take? I did not ask, because I wanted to make every second count. It would be over quickly enough; it was already happening entirely too soon.…
Aram Bajakian: Aram Bajakian’s Kef
Aram Bajakian’s Fractured Folk Tales You need to spend some time with this music. Fortunately, you will want to spend time with it. There are at least two excellent reasons…