Jazz legend Joe Zawinul, who soared to fame as one of the creators of jazz fusion and performed and recorded with Miles Davis, died early today, a hospital official said. He was 75. Zawinul had been hospitalized since last month. A spokeswoman for Vienna’s Wilhelmina Clinic confirmed his death without giving details.
Zawinul won widespread acclaim for his keyboard work on chart-topping Davis albums such as In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew, and was a leading force behind the so-called “Electric Jazz†movement.
In 1970, Zawinul founded the band Weather Report and produced a series of albums including Heavy Weather, Black Market and I Sing the Body Electric. After that band’s breakup, he founded the Zawinul Syndicate in 1987.
zawinulmusic.com
It’s the 32nd season for JAZZ.FM’s Sound of Jazz Series which celebrates the jazz icons of past and present.
Included in this year’s concert line-up are tributes to arranger and composer Billy Strayhorn; The Greatest Jazz Concert Ever, the legendary 1953 Massey Hall concert; singer Peggy Lee; and Kind of Blue, the immortal Miles Davis’ jazz recording. Featured concerts in 2007/2008: pianist Dick Hyman; guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli; and the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra.
Sound of Jazz Series concerts are recorded for broadcast throughout the year on JAZZ.FM91.
Check it all out at jazz.fm
September 21 – 23
Port Hope’s 6th annual All Canadian Jazz Festival is quickly approaching so its time pull out your calendars and pencil some time in.
This years lineup includes the likes of Mike Murley, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Kellylee Evans, the Rosemary Galloway Quartet and the ever popular Swing Rosie just to name a few.
Get the full schedule and list of performers at allcanadianjazz.ca
Sonny Rollins turns 77 today – September 7, 2007 – and on the eve of the saxophonist’s 50th Anniversary Concert at Carnegie Hall, his newly revamped web site debuts, celebrating an extraordinary life in jazz. Beginning today, and every day leading up to the Carnegie Hall concert on September 18, the site will be broadcasting rare performances, including a 1956 gig with the Max Roach/Clifford Brown All-Stars.
sonnyrollins.com
Guitarist John McLaughlin’s latest tour will include a stop at Toronto’s Massey Hall on October 5th, so check out this interview at allaboutjazz.com with the man himself.
“I’m not a big fan of what they call smooth jazz, simply because it seems too plastic for me. So I found myself, twelve or thirteen years ago, looking into the underground, and a lot of what you hear with these young guys, what they’re doing with these underground records, is basically noise, but it’s very interesting. Because what is noise? In a way, if you have the right perspective everything is musical. People don’t walk, they dance; and they don’t speak, they sing, depending on what state of mind they’re in.”
And while your at it swing over to johnmclaughlin.com
Ok, my title might be a bit of an exageration but Curtis Stephen argues and interesting point while relating the trials and tribulations of Mr.Coltrane to young Miss Lohan. Check it out here