The kismet of this landing in my inbox as I pull into Kansas City on a Midwest road trip is quite remarkable. Thanks for the incredible soundtrack for wandering the streets of this historic jazz city Paul!
The title of this post comes from Stanley Crouch's superb 2007 biography of the young Charlie Parker. It's especially good on the rest of the musical culture in Kansas City in the 1930s; on Kansas as a Western frontier city (which explains the photo of a baby Parker on a pony: there were a lot of ponies around); and on Parker going home to shed after Jo Jones shamed him at the Reno Club.
Thank you for this, Paul. A few of the artists you have highlighted I actually do know, but I really appreciate being introduced to these new ones and their work....much to indulge in.
He recorded another one a few weeks later with Joey Calderazzo on piano. (Wildflowers Vol. 2.) It's just as strong, but shorter, just an EP's worth of material.
Great to see all these new to me (save for Joy) female artists in your list. I look forward to hearing them for myself.
The only person you mentioned that I have seen perform is Elling who was notable that evening for how he was able to move a packed room in Edmonton to tears on one of his numbers, through his wonderful sense of phrasing. A great interpreter and distinctive vocalist.
I was a ravenous jazz fan for many years. Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Monk, Mingus, Coltrane, Sonny Rollins...contemporary figures including Joe Lovano, Wynton and Branford Marsalis. Many more. I covered the Montreal jazz festival for 17 consecutive years. I went away from the music for a while, but I'm listening more these days, and I think a lot of young musicians are playing interesting stuff.
you are on to something there with patricia brennan. she is da bomb.
as for elling, black singers can wax bitterly about how white men, particularly, get all these opportunities with rather severely modest pipes.
i include sinatra in that "category." ritmo, yes. voice no. i don't care how sacred all y'all consider him to be.
bennett got closer, although he should have stopped much earlier. his stuff with the white pop star was "beneath" him. it is not that she cannot sing at all. it is just that you can find all kinds of black female singers that make her voice sound close to paltry in comparison.
Goldmine
The kismet of this landing in my inbox as I pull into Kansas City on a Midwest road trip is quite remarkable. Thanks for the incredible soundtrack for wandering the streets of this historic jazz city Paul!
You never cease to amaze…Grace Bowers! Wow. Give her a few more years and she’ll be recognized as one of the real greats
Thank you. Wonderful article and really enjoyed reading about your favourite albums.
Saw Daniil play live a few years ago, and would recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to catch one of his performances. Amazing piano player.
The title of this post comes from Stanley Crouch's superb 2007 biography of the young Charlie Parker. It's especially good on the rest of the musical culture in Kansas City in the 1930s; on Kansas as a Western frontier city (which explains the photo of a baby Parker on a pony: there were a lot of ponies around); and on Parker going home to shed after Jo Jones shamed him at the Reno Club.
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Paul!!! You should stick to writing about Jazz and music. It makes you a whole lot happier and me less depressed. Thank you.
Connie, elsewhere on this comment board, seems less convinced. I'll try to keep everyone satisfied.
She just needs to spend 40 minutes listening to Julian Lage. She'll soon come around.
Glad you love this music. I look forward to your political analysis.
Thank you for this, Paul. A few of the artists you have highlighted I actually do know, but I really appreciate being introduced to these new ones and their work....much to indulge in.
Appreciate the introduction to Trifonov, I will seek out this album… next year. Have a good one!
You are such a talented writer..... ever thought of a novel... or poetry... or song lyrics?
O the Kurt Elling one is just gorgeous--thanks for the recommendation.
He recorded another one a few weeks later with Joey Calderazzo on piano. (Wildflowers Vol. 2.) It's just as strong, but shorter, just an EP's worth of material.
Great to see all these new to me (save for Joy) female artists in your list. I look forward to hearing them for myself.
The only person you mentioned that I have seen perform is Elling who was notable that evening for how he was able to move a packed room in Edmonton to tears on one of his numbers, through his wonderful sense of phrasing. A great interpreter and distinctive vocalist.
Paul.. what were some of your early influences in jazz?. going back 20 or 30 years ago.
I was a ravenous jazz fan for many years. Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Monk, Mingus, Coltrane, Sonny Rollins...contemporary figures including Joe Lovano, Wynton and Branford Marsalis. Many more. I covered the Montreal jazz festival for 17 consecutive years. I went away from the music for a while, but I'm listening more these days, and I think a lot of young musicians are playing interesting stuff.
Thanks Paul 😊
Hey Paul, get on last.fm with Coyne and uh, me.
you are on to something there with patricia brennan. she is da bomb.
as for elling, black singers can wax bitterly about how white men, particularly, get all these opportunities with rather severely modest pipes.
i include sinatra in that "category." ritmo, yes. voice no. i don't care how sacred all y'all consider him to be.
bennett got closer, although he should have stopped much earlier. his stuff with the white pop star was "beneath" him. it is not that she cannot sing at all. it is just that you can find all kinds of black female singers that make her voice sound close to paltry in comparison.