Category: All That Jazz

Mailman delivered this today. Like room temperature Bourbon – to be savored. The Good Stuff.

Told my young neighbor and dear friend and soprano and pianist, she can keep the CD copy of “Silk & Soul” I lent her. Discovered this and it’s, inbound.

This CD arrived today. Miles Davis opened for her at the Fillmore East, in June 1970. Her music is, extraordinary. Miles knew. And me.

I was astonished to get a broadcast e-Mail advertising the performance today of the John Jorgensen “Gypsy Jazz Quintet” at the Cary Theater, an 175 seat restored movie house in Cary. It’s part of the connective tissue of why I live here, maybe 2 miles from my apartment. Parked at the Cary Arts Center, where I spent a lot of time working and had a sunlit walk down Academy Street. I was dismayed to see the wonderful old growth Live Oaks in front of the now closed “Cotton House”, gone. And a lady collecting money for families in Gaza got a cash donation. I’d bought two tickets but my young Guest demurred due to the after effects of a post wedding party. Gave my extra ticket to the desk and was surprised later, when an usher seated a lady next to me with my donated ticket. She was good company. Very, live Music! A wonderful Sunday afternoon.

True Confession: Desert Rose Band Fan from late 1980’s

Sometimes, you just need to go out to the bridge and play. Salvation of the Soul.

Another Kjazz 88.1 midnight discovery. The CD arrived today. S’ wonderful! Listening now – oh my! Lady could play!

In search of rental storage today, I met a delightful young woman in the facility office. She was extraordinarily kind and patient with me. Conversation ensued.

I told her that part of my reason was temporary home for my jazz cd’s, ‘tween Townhouse and Apartment. She knew about Etta Jones.

This was the last time Miles played as a sideman. If you can find a copy, buy it.

This is not my photograph. Wish it was. Whoever made it, knew their stuff, as did she. It’s the cover photograph of the Shirley Horn Album/CD “May The Music Never End”.

I’ve written here before, about my admiration of her music. Which I’m listening to now, between dinner prep chores and refilling my wine glass. Grace and medicine for the wounded heart.

On the Album/CD, she tortures you with relentless, hard cadence on “Everything Must Change”. Until melodic relief. And gentle heart.

Aware of the news, I confess to have never heard a Taylor Swift song. I wonder if she ever listened to Ms Horn. And so it goes.

This album was recorded in 1960. And listening to it now, while the oven performs its magic on Sunday dinner, with wine and windows open to a sunny afternoon is wonderful. Trust me on this, buy a copy.

This is a photograph that stays in memory. I made it during a sound check for a Nnenna Freelon performance with my Cary Citizen Media Pass. CAC was like a home to me, shot the very first performances there (Brussels Chamber Music Orchestra) with a “Wet Paint” sign on the stage and a Certificate of Occupancy that still had wet ink on it.

Been awhile, but the pianist, bassist and drummer were in from NYC, percussionist was local. There was a communion of spirit that transcended everything but making music. I did my best to be invisible. And they let me shoot, as they let each other play.

Sleepless, about 2 AM, kJazz88.1, played a track from his new album. Serendipity.

kjazz88.1 FM (Cal State Long Beach) is available on the web-o-sphere. Freebie. Explains my continuing music education and recently purchased CD’s.