Over the past month the fellas over at destination-out.com have been compiling an in-depth look at Jazz in the 1990′s. they polled music critics, musicians, and bloggers for their favorite jazz records from the 1990s, and have alot of great lists, comments and track samples worth a visit.
Check it all out at destination-out.com.
Zhen: The David Braid Sextet Live, Vol.II
Zhen is the third CD from the David Braid Sextet, and the follow up to Vivid which was awarded the 2005 Juno award for Mainstream Jazz Album of the Year.
Beyond the obviously gifted Braid, the sextet is a whos who of Canadian Jazz talent. Terry Clarke, John MacLeod, Gene Smith, Mike Murley and Steve Wallace round out a sextet that is both imaginative and focused in it’s performances of Braids original compositions. The CD start’s off with an up tempo blues before embarking on a soaring journey that spans East and West before closing with a refreshing rework of the Coltrane classic Giant Steps.
Braids playing is both sensitive and beautiful, weaving textures that calm, surprise and engadge the listener. This is combined with a talent for writing in such a way as to showcase the talents of his bandmates, and they don’t dissapoint. Whether its Mr. Murley blowing on Lydian Sky or Gene Smith taking centre stage on Andalusia, these guys are all here to play… and play they do!
Zhen was the final live recording made before the closing of the historic Top o’ the Senator in 2005, and is a venue that Toronto still misses. I couldn’t think of a better CD to carry the final legacy of such a storied establishment.
The sextet is currently swinging out west for the the final leg of their tour. Check out davidbraid.com and don’t miss the Murley-Braid quartet with guest Tara Davidson November 12 at the Rex.
Lenny Breau – Master Class DVD
Publisher – Guitarchives
Guitarchives has released a DVD of rare footage of Lenny Breau conducting a master class at the University of Southern California back in July of 1982. Lenny had his custom 7 string guitar that he’d had built for him by Kirk Sand. Kirk decided to film the session, and the results can be seen on this DVD.
The footage is an amature production shot with one camera, and truth be told, not the best sound or lighting. However, what is lacking in production quality is made up for in the intimacy of the moment. Imagine watching an old home movie but it’s Lenny Breau playing in your living room. Breau plays a selection of songs including Stella by Starlight, The Nearness of You and Vison, stops to answer questions and explain technique, and all the while dazzels the viewer with his effortless technique and unique approach to the guitar.
This one may not be for everyone, but I think it’s safe to say that any guitar player or Breau fan will appreciate the chance to be a fly on the wall and see Lenny Breau up close and personal doing what he did best… playing fantastic jazz guitar!
Coming soon… The JazzTO review of Guitarchives Lenny Breau Mosaic CD.
Fight or Flight? is the debut recording from Ottawa based vocalist Kellylee Evans, and it would seem by all accounts that she has chosen to take flight delivering an excellent album of great music and fine vocals.
In 2004, Kellylee was awarded second place in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, and we were famillier with her here having heard her performing with the Global Divas, so we were giddy with anticipation for this album to arrive. Let me tell you, this one doesn’t disappoint. Spanning jazz, soul, R & B, blues and world music rhythms Ms. Evans has brought together a brilliant group of musicians to support her soaring vocals, and delivers 11 original compositions that from start to finish both entertain and inspire.
From the great opener “What About Me?,†to the latin infused “Rapunzel†and the toe tapping “How Can You Get Along Without Me?†Kellylee’s vocals are superb and draws you into her world with her unique lyrics and story.
Currently on her “From the Capital to the Capital†tour, and having recently been asked to open for Tony Bennett at the Montreal stop of his tour it would seem that we will be hearing much more of Kellylee Evans in the future, and that certainly is a good thing.
Check out kellyleeevans.com.
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Music and the Creative Spirit:
Innovators in Jazz, Improvisation and the Avant Garde.
Author: Lloyd Peterson
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
In his new book ‘Music and the Creative Spirit’, Lloyd Peterson has taken on an ambitious task. Not only has he given a voice to some of today’s most cutting-edge jazz musicians. Peterson has set out to explore the musician’s creative spirit with the hope of uncovering a common thread among each and every one of the artists.
The result is a compelling book that searches for that consistent creative spark which exists despite the differences in each artist’s relation to their music and their creative process.
Peterson begins by piecing together a collection of personal interviews with the “who’s who†of improvisational jazz. He carefully fashions his questions to shed light on the uniquely individual and creative approaches of artists like Metheny, Dave Holland, Bill Frisell, Fred Frith, Brad Mehldau, Marilyn Crispell, Myra Melford, Evan Parker and John Zorn.
Every time I try to play a note, I just can’t quite seem to get it. I move closer but can never really get it and it’s a constant struggle all of the time. But music has always felt like that. I used to think that there would be a time when it would just become good or that everything would feel wonderful all the time. But that’s not in the nature and there’s always this infinite way to go. But if there weren’t, there wouldn’t be any reason to play anymore. It would be boring. But it can also be frustrating, and it took me awhile to learn what that feeling was. It would seem that it could kind of flip people out to where they would quit playing and never really get there. - Bill Frisell
Unafraid to explore dinner topics, Peterson uses politics, cultural influences, work, society and current events to engage the artists and get them to articulate their unique approach to improvisation and composition.
Education and social services are being cut which are needed to keep ourculture alive, vibrant, and diversified. Consequently, it’s becoming more monochromatic and one-sided rather than the rich mosaic of diversity which this country has always been about with all the people that live in it. - Jack DeJohnette
This book has gone along way to defining a genre that to date has remained indefinable. Within all of the differences, Peterson has succeeded in finding a consistent passion for music, a ferocious work ethic, and a need to explore and evolve.
In his introduction Peterson states that the book was born out of “frustration that some of the most creative and innovative work is not accorded due respect and appreciation in its own time.†This book goes along way to opening up the door for people to better understand the artists, and therefore, to hopefully better understand the music and develop a deeper appreciation from some of the most brilliant musicians creating today.
Dom Minasi’s most recent project is one you can really sink your teeth into. The Vampire’s Revenge is a double CD inspired by the vampire novels of Anne Rice, and features 112 minutes of cleverly crafted composition and intelligent musical improvisation from some of the best jazz players on the scene—22 in total when you include the core trio of Minasi, bassist Ken Filiano and drummer Jackson Krall.
Like a good William S. Burroughs Novel, Minasi’s take on free-jazz leads the listener through brilliant moments of clarity before dropping them into abstract free jazz improvisations. Then, just as there seems to be no form left to grasp – Manasi seamlessly transitions back to a clear melody that leaves you dumbfounded with amazement.
Minasi’s album stands out as a musical story that is imaginative and masterfully told. An inspired romp through the back alleys of 19th century New Orleans that is lighthearted and delightfully offbeat, if not demonically sensual.
The Vampire’s Revenge is brave and explosive album that will no doubt immortalize Minansi as the new dark lord of jazz. Sink your teeth into this one my children.
For her sophomore CD, Karen Manion has moved her quintet from the relative security of the recording studio and opted for the energy and spontaneity of the live club. Recorded during a single evening back in January, The Karen Manion Quintet Live at the Montreal Bistro is the results of that risk, and showcases a singer continuing to find and refine her unique approach to performing the jazz standards.
Backed by Andrew Millar (drums), Matt Newton (piano), Sebastian Raemdonck (bass) and Joel Schwarts (guitar), the quintet performs spirited versions of classics such as Just One Of Those Things, Give Me The Simple Life, Blue Moon, and what seems to have become her signature song… the theme from Spiderman. All are performed to the cheers (and occasional sneezes) of an appreciative crowd.
Don’t miss the release party this Wednesday June 14th at The Montreal Bistro, and check out karenmanion.com
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